DragonTales Summer 2015

THEN & NOW:

INTERIM THROUGH THE AGES

ALUMNI

MAKING MOVES WHERE ARE YOUR CLASSMATES NOW? BOB CHRISTIAN AWARD WINNER:

JASMINE LAU ‘08 10 Ways to

STAY CONNECTED

Farewell to SUMMER 2015

AN HKIS LEGEND Ken Rohrs

© Brittany Ng ’18

dragonTales

Table of Contents Letter from the Head of School 1

Interim: Then and Now 16

Looking Back at 2014

Cover Story: Ken Rohrs 20

College Enrollments, Class of 2014 2 2014 Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award 4 2014 James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment Fund 5

College Enrollments Class of 2015 6 HKIS Gallery Lower & Upper Primary Art 8 Advancement Q & A with our Chief Advancement Officer 9 2014-15 Charles W. Dull Visiting Speaker 10 2015 Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award 11 2015 James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment Fund 12

Events 2015 Annual Ball 24 Reunions 26

Alumni Making Moves 34 HKIS Gallery High School 2D Art 38 Milestones: Josephine Wai 39 HKIS Gallery High School B/W Photography 40 In Memoriam 41

Lower Primary Redevelopment 14

Class Notes 46

Community

The Last Word: Brian C. Smith 56

Concordia Welfare & Education Foundation (CWEF) 15

10 Ways to Stay Connected 57

ew nter vi sue i n a s r next i out fo Look lan in the A with gonTales! ra of D

Letter from the head of school

Dear Alumni, Greetings to all! We have taken some time off producing DragonTales while we focused all of our efforts in growing the Advancement Office and building a new alumni services program. We have recommitted ourselves to being your lifelong Alma Mater and offering you support and services that can aid you wherever you are along life’s journey. Be looking for Alumni Chapters, reunions, and internship opportunities coming to areas near you. We will also be connecting recent alumni now in college to older alums living nearby to extend their support network while away from home. Also, you can expect to see DragonTales twice a year, around February and August. Let us know other ways that we can serve you and help make your HKIS Alumni experience the best!

Because of the publication hiatus, this is a special double issue featuring two graduating classes, two Bob Christian Award recipients, two years’ worth of James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment Fund projects, and a great amount of your own updates in Class Notes. Please keep these updates coming in; we love to hear from you and so do all of your fellow alums!

This is also the first issue of DragonTales since I arrived as your new Head of School in January 2015. In just a few short months, I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you at alumni events in Hong Kong and San Francisco. It’s been an honor to meet remarkable students like Bob Christian Alumna of the Year recipient Jasmine Lau (’08), who I met when she came to the 2015 graduation ceremony in June. Jasmine, like so many of our alumni, is a remarkable person and embodies the collaborative and creative approach to work that HKIS strives to instill in all our learners. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the years to come.

This issue is very special because it features an interview with Mr. Ken Rohrs, who is the longest serving teacher HKIS has ever had. We are so fortunate to have had Ken on our team these last 42 years, and wish him and Karen all the best on their upcoming Danish adventure!

On a somber note, this past year has brought much loss to our community. In February, one of our seniors, Griffin Lee, and his sister, Julia (’12), died along with their parents as a result of an accident. At graduation, our grief turned to pride as his diploma was awarded to a standing ovation. The Lee family’s passing had followed the sudden death of another student, Justin Lee (’23), in January. In addition, Mary Dunning, who was a Lower Primary Library Assistant and married to Kevin Dunning, my predecessor, also passed away in February. I would also like to give thanks for the life of Dottie Maché, who passed in December 2014. Her pioneering spirit led to the founding of HKIS, a place that she, like so many us, fondly called “our school”. As a community we pulled together to grieve, reflect, remember, give support and grow in our faith together. I have been moved by the compassion and care displayed in the short time that I have been at HKIS and I am proud to be part of this community.

Richest blessings to all,

Alan Runge, Ph.D. HEAD OF SCHOOL

DragonTales is produced by the HKIS Advancement Team Chief Advancement Officer Maziar Sabet msabet@hkis.edu.hk Executive Secretary Lina Doo ldoo@hkis.edu.hk Associate Director of Development Therese (Cheng) Tee ’96 ttee@hkis.edu.hk

Communications and Public Relations Manager Veronica (Galbraith) Booth ’97 vbooth@hkis.edu.hk Alumni Relations alumni@hkis.edu.hk

Communications Coordinator Stuart Slavicky sslavicky@hkis.edu.hk Development Coordinator Ceci Lau clau@hkis.edu.hk

Thank you to our contributors Lauren Castellari ’94, Gene Cheh, Angela (Stich) Easterwood ’89, Beth Hall, Kimberly Hu ’06, Mike Kersten, Dave Kohl, Anita Lau ’84, Jasmine Lau ’08, Madeleine McGarrity, Minori Nagatomo ’01, Michael Taylor ’85 Design Linne Tsu ’96

Looking Back

Looking Back

Class of college enrollments

2014

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Looking Back Students from the Class of 2014 enrolled at the following colleges and universities.

Many students received full or partial scholarships to attend these institutions.

Appalachian State University Bentley University Bethany College Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brigham Young University Brighton and Sussex Medical School Brown University California College of the Arts (San Francisco) California Lutheran University California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Chapman University Claremont McKenna College Colby College Colgate University College of the Holy Cross Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University Drexel University Durham University École Hôtelière de Lausanne Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emerson College Fordham University Gordon College Hamilton College — NY Haverford College Hobart and William Smith Colleges Imperial College London Indiana University at Bloomington James Madison University Johns Hopkins University King’s College London Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology La Salle University Lafayette College Lawrence University Lehigh University Les Roches International School of Hotel Management Lindenwood University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Marist College Massachusetts Institute of Technology McGill University New York University Northwestern University Occidental College Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Pepperdine University Pitzer College Polytechnic Institute of NYU Princeton University Purdue University Purdue University Calumet Rice University San Jose State University Santa Clara University Scripps College Sewanee: The University of the South Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Stanford University Suffolk University Swarthmore College The Chinese University of Hong Kong The George Washington University The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology The University of Montana, Missoula Trinity College Dublin Trinity University Tufts University University College London University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Riverside University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Connecticut University of Edinburgh University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Hong Kong University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Miami University of Michigan University of Missouri Columbia University of Oxford University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of Toronto University of Utah University of Virginia Utah State University Villanova University Washington College Washington State University Wesleyan University Western University

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Looking Back

2014 | bob christian alumnus/alumna of the year award

A Life of Giving Back Minori Nagatomo ’01 The worthy recipient of the Bob Christian Alumna/Alumnus Of The Year Award 2014, attributes her success in landing her dream role to HKIS.

Established in honor of HKIS’s first Head of School, the Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award is presented to alumni who have made a strong, positive contribution to society while living out our Mission and Student Learning Results. For details or to nominate an alumnus/alumna, visit alumni.hkis.edu.hk/BobChristianAward or contact alumni@hkis.edu.hk. n Minori Nagatomo was the Joint National Director of Education for International Care Ministries in the Philippines, overseeing 80 learning centers benefiting 2,000 children and their families each year. Minori’s team searched out young children who are below the subsistence threshold and gives them free education, school supplies, a daily fortified-lunch as well as a scholarship to continue education at a public elementary school once they graduate from the program. This program has been in operation for six years and 93% of their graduates are still in school.

“I am truly grateful for the award. To me, the award is a clear indication of how impactful an HKIS education was to me and continues to be for other budding global citizens. The school nurtured my hunger to succeed and thrive not just academically, but as a whole person. The joy in serving others and celebrating many cultures and perspectives is something I discovered at HKIS. The award is a wonderful source of encouragement and inspiration as I continue to grow as an individual and a professional.”

— Minori Nagatomo

As the winner of the Bob Christian Alumus/Alumna Award, Minori was invited to High School Graduation to share her experiences and deliver her acceptance speech: Thank you. I am so honored and grateful to receive this award. I feel like I was just sitting in that section not long ago. I didn’t imagine then that I would be standing here today, receiving such an honor for the work that I deeply love.

I was reflecting on the wonderful class motto you have chosen for yourselves: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – inspiring words Nelson Mandela demonstrated in his own life.

I thought, “can this happen in real life? And in an ordinary life? In my and your everyday life?” And I realized that breaking through the impossible is happening around us every day. When I graduated from HKIS, my mother told me that even with a massive loan, we had enough money for me to go to university for just one year. Then, I will stop, work, and go back when I’d saved up enough money. A need-based scholarship brought us some relief, but going through four years of college without stopping seemed absolutely impossible, until the hard work and faith of a mother and what we believe to be a miracle made it possible.

Today, I get to see people breaking through the impossible all the time in my work. I work with people who live on about HK$4 or less per day, people whose parents and grandparents were poor, and they believe their children and their grandchildren will be poor. [With new] basic information about health and livelihood…seeds of hope [are sown], and a dream, that maybe, just maybe it’s possible for them to live a better life. These seeds bore fruit for people like Eusibio, who now earns a stable monthly income of HK$1,500 through organic farming. Or a mother who saved her baby by giving her a simple hydrating solution we taught her – an amazing accomplishment given we work in communities where 25% of mothers have lost one or more children. Bringing her baby to a doctor seemed impossible, and so saving her baby seemed impossible too, until that one day ICM came and told her it’s possible.

You might have faced lots of things that seemed “impossible” to get to today, but you did it, and I sincerely congratulate you – today is a celebration of ALL that you have accomplished. And you might have wonderful and enormous dreams for the future, and you might already know that you’ll have to break through “impossible” obstacles to get there. I am telling you today, just like I tell the people I love in the Philippines, it’s possible. And I look forward to the day I see you at one of many reunions and homecomings, to hear about the things that were impossible, until you did it.

Thank you again, and I wish you best as you continue the exciting journey ahead of you. Congratulations.

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Looking Back

2014 | james a. handrich service leadership endowment fund Ava Miller ’14 & Charmaine Shih ’14 Recipients of the 2014 James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment Fund

The James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment grants awards to HKIS students to fund service learning projects. Supporting the Endowment is a wonderful example of philanthropy encouraging service: help HKIS students impact the world! Visit www.hkis.edu.hk/giving to see how you can help. n A TASTE OF LOVE For Ava Miller ’14 and Charmaine Shih ’14 it was a school trip in 2013 to the Child Rescue Center in Kranglovear, Cambodia, that sparked the philanthropic spirit within. The Center educates and cares for over 25 orphaned children, and had been a destination for HKIS students dedicated to service and learning since 2010. The first group from HKIS set up a university scholarship for some of the Center’s students. Upon learning about this, Ava and Charmaine were determined to support this scholarship and set off on their mission to do so.

A shared love of food brought the two seniors and the Center’s students together. On Ava and Charmaine’s first trip to Cambodia, they taught the children at the Center to make chicken quesadillas with homemade guacamole, Sloppy Joe’s and puppy chow, a popular American snack. In following trips the children in turn taught the girls their favorite traditional Cambodian recipes. This is where the idea took off: Ava and Charmaine would create a cookbook and sell 400 copies in order to put Johnny and Sokim, two kids from the center, through four years of college.

“This service project has changed us so much within just this one year. It has taught us a lot about perseverance. Learning that when life knocks you down, you have to get back up. We got quite a lot of rejections in the process of our project but we never let that get to us and we just tried harder every single time. Also we learned a very valuable lesson: if you set your mind to something, no matter what others say or do, nothing can get in your way …

We believed in ourselves, we set our minds to the goal of raising the money and getting it done … And we did it!

“Without the support of a few individuals, it would have been very difficult to accomplish all that we did. Writing and creating a 300 page cookbook is a big enough task on its own, but funding the project was a completely different story. The thing is even if we had all the pages and layout done, without the money that we got from the James Handrich Fund we wouldn’t have been able to take the next step in our project, which was printing. By getting the funding we were able to produce a product that in turn truly made a difference. Through the book’s sales we were able to support five students through four years of college in Cambodia.”

– Ava Miller and Charmaine Shih ’14.

The 300-page cookbook not only contained recipes, but also the children’s stories. Each student who received support from the Scholarship Fund was featured on their own page in the cookbook talking about their childhood at the Center, what they are currently studying in college and their hopes and dreams for the future. It was no easy feat, but both Ava and Charmaine agree that succeeding in raising the funds to put two of their Cambodian friends through college was well worth the effort.

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College Enrollments

Class of 2015 One measure of HKIS’s success in nurturing students is our seniors’ successful placement in universities around the world. Universities, colleges and independent schools understand the unique perspectives that our students bring to their campuses. The foundation HKIS students receive in our Mission, Vision, Student Learning Results and core values results in students who are distinguished among their peers.

Nearly 100% of the Class of 2015 went on to higher education. But beyond academics, the Class of 2015 continued to grow in the skills that we value as a school.

We are proud to continue to prepare well-rounded students for college. n

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Class of 2015 Students from the Class of 2015 were enrolled at the following colleges and universities.

Many students received full or partial scholarships to attend these institutions.

Auburn University Babson College Barnard College Baylor University Bob Jones University Boston University Brigham Young University Brigham Young University, Idaho Brown University Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Claremont McKenna College Clark University Colby College Colgate University College of William and Mary Colorado College Columbia University Cornell University Dartmouth College DePaul University Drexel University Duke University Emerson College Emory University Endicott College Fordham University Full Sail University George Mason University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Harvard University Hofstra University Illinois Wesleyan University Indiana University Bloomington International Christian University Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College Lafayette College Lipscomb University London School of Economics Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Marymount California University Massachusetts Institute of Technology McGill University Miami University Middlebury College New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Parsons The New School for Design

Pennsylvania State University, University Park Pitzer College Pratt Institute Princeton University Purdue University Queen’s University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Santa Clara University Scripps College Simon Fraser University Skidmore College Suffolk University SUNY Buffalo State Syracuse University The College of Wooster The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology The University of Arizona The University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia Okanagan The University of Portland The University of Virginia Tufts University Tulane University United States Naval Academy University of Bath University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Cruz University of Guelph University of Hong Kong University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Miami University of Michigan University of Missouri University of New South Wales University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Richmond University of Southern California University of St. Andrews University of Toronto University of Wisconsin-Madison Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wheaton College

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HKIS Gallery Lower & Upper Primary Student Art Our youngest students produce some of our most vibrant art. Here’s a snapshot of Lower Primary and Upper Primary creations from the 2014-15 school year.

Grade 2 Picasso-inspired sculptures

Grade 5 Self Portrait

Grade 1 Mosque-inspired painting Grade 5 Self Portrait

Grade 5 Self Portrait

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Grade 4 Op Art inspired by artist Bridget Riley

Advancement

Q &A with our chief advancement officer HKIS’s Chief Advancement Officer Maziar Sabet joined in July 2013 following a move from Washington, D.C. with his wife, Tina, and two kids, Ariana ’23 and Cyrus. He speaks with DragonTales about his role, our alumni, and the wider HKIS community.

Why did you move to Hong Kong?

Two years ago, my wife and I made the decision to move to Hong Kong, and we were extremely fortunate that we were both able to find career opportunities that we are passionate about. I have been lucky enough to be exposed to very diverse places and cultures, and we had numerous options in terms of where we could find a long-term home and a place to raise our kids. Of all the places we had lived and visited, Hong Kong was our favorite city to settle down in.

For me, Hong Kong offers a unique combination of a vibrant culture, exhilarating pace of life, terrific climate, exceptional safety, beautiful landscapes, diverse international community and a significant footprint in the most dynamic region in the world.

What makes HKIS alumni special?

The ability to see the world from multiple worldviews is a rare gift and I am inspired every time I interact with our alumni no matter where in the world they happen to be. Much of the geopolitical issues facing our world today are the result of ignorance and I feel so privileged to be part of a community that at its core can think holistically and independently and see the subtleties and complexities facing us. For me this is the very definition of leadership and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by this incredible community — a community that is 47,000 strong and is represented in every part of the world.

What does your daughter like about learning at HKIS? Ariana is 9 and at an age where her overall school experience is ultimately defined by friendships and teachers. I think if you ask 100 parents the same question the vast majority will tell you how amazed they are by HKIS teachers and the beautiful mosaic that makes our community what it is. n

What exactly is Advancement?

Schools typically have five main areas of focus: Academics, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources and Advancement. The term “advancement” refers to the fact that our goal is to help the school ultimately move (advance) towards its mission and vision.

Advancement is the externally-facing and relationship arm of the school. It includes functions such as Communications and PR, Development, which is fundraising as well as business development, Institutional Events and, of course, Alumni Relations.

What impact do you want to have on HKIS? I think we have all the elements in place to be the best school in Asia and one of the best in the world and our ultimate goal should be nothing short of that. In the more immediate term I would like to see the different elements of the HKIS community feel they are part of a unified organic whole.

Simply put, I want our students, parents, teachers and alumni to be so proud of what HKIS is achieving that they become active public advocates for our school.

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Advancement

2014-15 | the chuck w. dull visiting speaker series “Looks like a grownup,

thinks like a kid”

Dr. CARA NATTERSON

Dr. Cara Natterson, the New York Times bestselling author and pediatrician, was the HKIS 2014-15 Charles W. Dull Visiting Scholar in March this year. Dr. Natterson spoke to students in Grades 4-12, parents and faculty about the disconnection in development between body and brain.

She also addressed what this means in terms of our relationship with social media, sleep and stress.

Simply put: young people look older than they can think.

In just a generation, children are entering puberty one to two years earlier than they used to. Though physically mature by their early 20s, their brains continue to develop and don’t reach full maturity until almost 30. By this age stimuli start to reach the part of the brain that considers consequences as quickly as they reach the emotional center of the brain. This disparity is due to the slow growth of myelin, the insulating substance that covers nerve fibers, that starts forming at the base of the brain and grows upwards and outwards finally reaching the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that deals with decision making and social behavior.

So what happens when you throw social media into the mix?

With a brain that hasn’t fully matured, the pressure of navigating online life can be exceptionally tricky. Dr. Natterson believes kids younger than 13 shouldn’t be on any social media, partly because it’s too easy to make emotional rather than thoughtful decisions. Young people, however, aren’t solely at the mercy of their physiology and Dr. Natterson suggested tools which students can use to manage their impulses. From simply getting enough sleep and exercise to more abstract techniques such as role-playing and taking a conscious moment to think about consequences during stimulating situations, or simply avoiding situations where these choices might come up, it may be possible to achieve a better balance between emotional and considered responses.

So, if you made an impulsive choice in your teens or twenties despite your better judgment, you can blame your brain. n

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About the

CHARLES W. DULL VISITING SCHOLAR SERIES The Charles W. Dull Visiting Scholar Speaker Series, named for HKIS’s Headmaster from 1997-2001, brings distinguished speakers to HKIS to interact with students, parents and faculty to bring focus on aspects of our Mission, Vision and Student Learning Results. Previous speakers include Mel Kieschnick, Mr. Chang-rae Lee, Dr. Roby Marcou, and Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg.

To give to the Series, please visit www.hkis.edu.hk/giving. To suggest a speaker, please contact advancement@hkis.edu.hk.

WORDS OF WISDOM Sleep more to learn more: your brain organizes what you learned during the day while you are asleep, making it easier to access that learning later.

To get the best sleep you can, turn your screens off an hour before bed. The glow of a screen disrupts the release of melatonin and decreases the quality of your sleep. Even if you fall asleep immediately, the quality of sleep is poor because of the light from backlit screens.

Advancement

2015 | bob christian alumnus/alumna of the year award Jasmine Lau ’08

Jasmine returned to HKIS to receive her award and address the Class of 2015 at this year’s graduation.

Thank you very much. It is an immense honor for me to be back at HKIS. I remember, not so long ago, I was also seated in the same place as you, Class of 2015.

I am not too much older than you are and, to be honest, I haven’t figured it all out. In fact, I’ve only just started my journey of discovery. So bear with me as I share with you today what I have learned.

After graduating from HKIS, I went to study in an American liberal arts university, Yale University. College was a life-changing experience for me, but for the most part, it was also quite overwhelming. Everyone around me was extremely talented and extremely driven, and they all seemed to have a plan for success. I felt lost and, at times, felt that I didn’t belong.

The Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award is presented to an HKIS alumnus or alumna whose contribution since leaving HKIS exemplifies our Mission and one or more of our Student Learning Results (SLRs).

This year’s winner Jasmine Lau ’08 received the award in recognition for dedicating her career to supporting NGOs. She began work with the Narada Foundation, which helps build capacity within grassroots social entrepreneurs and NGOs in China and later co-founded Philanthropy in Motion (PIM), an organization that provides young people with the funds, training and networks to become intelligent givers. She and her co-founder also developed PIM’s KlipTap, a new crowdfunding platform for social causes that both allows young people to participate and be engaged in philanthropy and which provides tools to run online campaigns at low cost. n EMBER is a fundraising group started by HKIS students and alumni to support scholarship programs established and implemented by the Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation.

But one thing that grounded me and helped me get over these insecurities, these sporadic periods of self-doubt, was when I immersed myself in volunteer work and service. Instead of asking myself, “what should I do to achieve success,” which is outside of my control and forever elusive, service asks me to consider “what can I do to help others, to make the world a better place.” When we shift the focus from our own achievement to our service in the name of something bigger, then the world is less of a zero-sum game, but one with infinite possibilities for collaboration and creation.

I have to thank HKIS for exposing me to the values of community service, through Humanities in Action, Interim trips and the myriad opportunities to get involved, including a Senior Project I did called EMBER that involves supporting girl’s education in rural China, and that I am still working on to this day, seven years later. It is very rare find a school that commits to offering students valuable opportunities to cultivate their social conscience and inspire them to action.

I ask you not to lose that spirit as you continue your personal and professional journey. Many young people, such as yourselves, delay the process of taking action to address social issues they care about. Society often tells us that we are not ready or not experienced enough to make a significant difference. So we wait and we wait, until we are older, richer, and more successful, until we think we have finally “made it” and can become a philanthropist. But what we don’t realize is our generation has so much potential to start early, to lead the movement, to have our voices heard, to shape decisions now. So two years ago, I founded a nonprofit called Philanthropy in Motion. My mission is to empower the next generation here in Hong Kong and China to make the most social impact. By pooling together collective resources, whether it is our skills, ideas, or our money, we form a young people’s foundation that can channel our resources to make change strategically.

I’d like to end with a quote from Harry Potter that has especially resonated with me throughout the years. Dumbledore once said, “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.” As you embark on you’re the next stage of your life, you will be picking up many useful skills and achieving important accomplishments. Your character, your service, your choices, will ultimately determine who you are and what you do for the world.

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Advancement

2015 | james a. handrich service leadership endowment fund It’s been a great year for the James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment Fund with four outstanding projects.

Three of the activities supported were part of students’ Senior Projects. This graduation requirement gives seniors the opportunity to select a subject they are passionate about and create a project that allows them to learn deeply, share their passion with the community and reflect on this experience in a final presentation. We are delighted and proud that these seniors saw the opportunity to focus on service for this work. The fourth project, led by two juniors, was created outside of a formal club or class activity and has thrived under their initiative. n

Book for The Society for Community Organization (SoCO) Arthur Fukuda Lam ’16 & Anant Majumdar ’16 Arthur Fukuda Lam ’16 and Anant Majumdar ’16 drew inspiration for the project from a sense of the inequality they witness in the city around them: “[watching] the elderly sweep the streets of Hong Kong … causes you to question your status as an educated person and [your] benefit to society in general.”

Their goal is to raise funds for the Society for Community Organization (SoCO) by publishing a book of inspirational stories from alumni who are now college students. Arthur and Anant asked HKIS alumni to describe their personal journeys through the college admissions process, college life, and how they started their careers after graduation. Based around the format of a Ted Talk “but in writing”, this collection of narratives will offer current students the chance to learn from these alumni experiences. The pieces in the book will act as a launch pad for current students’ own development as they begin the process of applying to college.

Sustainable Agriculture Education at HKIS Sophia Brown ’15 “Just how much waste do we produce?” was the question posed by senior Sophia Brown ’15 and inspired her Senior Project.

It was a question she set out to answer by delving into the High School cafeteria trash and counting every kilo of waste produced. Alongside a team of volunteers, elbow-deep in the day’s waste, she sorted through bags and bags of discarded remains, weighed, measured and recorded what they found.

Thrown out throughout the course of the day were all manner of items, recyclable and non-recyclable, from cans of soda (empty and full) to plastic bowls and biology homework.

However, the overwhelming majority of what Sophia found left behind was food. From sandwiches to hot lunches, the mountain of food waste sent daily to Hong Kong’s rapidly filling landfills was shocking, especially when on current trends, they will be full by 2018.

Sophia’s goal was to accumulate all this organic matter and, with the help of the Middle School Gardening Club, create a sustainable resource. The simple but effective technique of composting leftovers produced a rich, fertile mulch that could then be used to cultivate various herbs, leafy greens and vegetables.

Using a grant from the James A. Handrich Endowment Fund enabled Sophia to purchase garden beds, microgardens and locally-sourced organic fertilizer to start her garden in the High School grounds. Alongside this, she has installed a composter and started composting leftovers from the Scenic View Apartments.

Sophia has used this resource to work with the MS Gardening Club and demonstrate the importance of sustainable agriculture, which supports the essential science curriculum, as well as producing delicious produce for all to enjoy!

The James A. Handrich Endowment Fund has provided the funding for the printing of the book. Profits from the book will be donated to SoCO to support their mission to assist and raise awareness of the 1.2 million people living below the poverty line in Hong Kong. Alongside this, Arthur and Anant plan to develop a “sustainable partnership with SoCO through clubs or other channels, which will serve to educate students and make a difference to the lives of the needy.”

Arthur Fukuda Lam & Anant Majumdar Sophia Brown 12

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Advancement

Crafts for the Disabled Saki Tsunoda ’15, Nicole Lui ’15, & Pooja Sadhwani ’15 Saki Tsunoda ’15, Nicole Lui ’15 and Pooja Sadhwani ’15 designed their Senior Project as a way to provide service directly to the local community, and used the James A. Handrich Endowment Fund to assist them in the delivery of their venture.

Saki, Nicole and Pooja chose to provide assistance at the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association. Identifying a niche in the day-to-day activities of children attending a day center, they sought to introduce workshops around arts and crafts. By providing the children with new methods and techniques of expression, they hoped to add variety to the activities offered, and introduce fresh modes of communication, and encourage the development of new skills. It was a process of education on both sides as the seniors learnt about the facts surrounding Down Syndrome and how to work with children with specific needs, as well as forming friendships and bonds with the kids in their class.

Working every Saturday since the start of the year with a small group of children, the trio began creating simple art pieces starting with felts and paper, progressing to water paints and finishing with the use of acrylics and canvas.

The provision of weekly arts and crafts classes was possible thanks to the grant Saki, Nicole and Pooja received from the James A. Handrich Endowment Fund. This money allowed the three seniors to purchase art supplies and materials for the classes. The culmination of the project will be to showcase the participants’ artwork in an art exhibition at the end of the semester.

The Empowerment Handbook: Service Through Empowerment Brittany Fried ’15 & Caroline Scown ’15 Brittany Fried ’15 and Caroline Scown ’15 used the funding awarded from the Handrich Endowment to produce “The Empowerment Handbook: Service Through Empowerment”.

The pair worked tirelessly to refine lesson plans, worksheets and workshops, and to publish this as a sustainable, cross-cultural curriculum for the Interim Empowerment Program. The program unites HKIS students as peer leaders with children around the world to gain skills and confidence through these workshops. The goal is for workshop participants to be inspired to take action around social justice issues in their communities.

Brittany took part in the pilot program in India, and was inspired by the results of the work: “we found out that the students had followed through with their action plans, installing streetlights outside of their school, starting go-green and anti-smoking campaigns in their community, and bringing 14 of their classmates back to school from working in brickyards.”

Clearly effective, the challenge was now to refine and document this program into an accessible medium to be used on future Empowerment Interim Trips. Brittany and Caroline chose the task of producing a handbook and creating a defined curriculum as their High School Project. The production of a handbook and curriculum ensures the continued and uniform delivery of this exciting program. The lesson plans and worksheets contained within the handbook pass on their experiences to future HKIS participants of the Empowerment Program.

The James A. Handrich Endowment Fund is proud to support the production of The Empowerment Handbook and has covered the cost of the printing. The handbook will pass on the hard work and lessons learned to future Interims that will continue and build upon their exceptional work.

Brittany Fried & Caroline Scown

Pooja Sadhwani, Saki Tsunoda & Nicole Lui SUMMER 2015 DRAGONTALES

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Advancement lower primary redevelopment

Lower Primary School construction in 1975, courtesy of Lois and Fritz Voeltz.

Tigers and Golfers and Ships, oh my!

The Lower Primary School in Repulse Bay, built in the 1970s, was demolished during the 2014-15 school year to make way for a new school for our youngest learners. It’s the first stage of a multi-year Master Development Plan that will create and update facilities to allow for the best student learning across the four divisions.

Among its many highlights, the new Lower Primary School will feature classrooms that incorporate indoor and outdoor space, critical for play- and inquiry-based learning. Part of this is making sure our 4 to 7 year-old learners have suitable and multi-use playground spaces. To this end, HKIS called in world-renowned playground architectural firm MIG. Susan Goltsman and Tod Hara led their team and created a series of collaborative activities and workshops not only to gain insights and ideas from faculty and parents, but also with the students themselves. MIG needed to understand how HKIS students would use their playground, and what they would like to see in their space.

The response was an astonishing outpouring of creativity.

Students suggested everything from a school pet tiger to a mini golf course. They favored climbing ropes and sand boxes, with water features and room for free play.

The MIG team took all of these suggestions to heart and created grade-specific playgrounds which students access directly from the classrooms. Elements of Hong Kong feature heavily, with dragon designs, and even a Star Ferry-like jungle gym structure. Plans are still fluid until construction is well underway, but one thing is certain: these playgrounds will be a delight for students and adults alike! n

Artists’ impressions by Susan Goltsman and Tod Hara, MIG

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Advancement

former hkis faculty endowment supports students in china

By Megan Kincaid HKIS and the Concordia Welfare & Education Foundation are linked not only in their Lutheran Church roots, but also in community. Apart from student-led fundraising activities that support CWEF programs (like EMBER), HKIS runs several service-focused activities through CWEF in Hong Kong, Guangdong and Cambodia. Recently, two former HKIS faculty members set up an endowment supporting scholarships in China.

Although Guangdong Province may be one of the wealthiest provinces in China, the high school graduation rate for female students is low. According to the Education Department in Guangdong, only half of female students in urban areas graduate from high school, and only 12.4 percent of females from rural areas graduate from high schools.

Concordia Welfare & Education Foundation (CWEF) believes education is a key to the future for youth. To that end, CWEF partners with schools in China in rural areas of Guangdong and Yunnan provinces, and in Cambodia to identify students who demonstrate a commitment to their studies and are at risk of dropping out of high school due to the financial constraint of their family. There is no requirement or preference given to potential recipients based on religious affiliation. During the 2014-2015 school year, CWEF provided 316 scholarships (313 in China and 13 in Cambodia).

I will try hard to learn. I hope I can contribute to the society when I grow up.

I will study hard and try hard to learn each subject at school. I will finish my high school education. –Yang

The connection CWEF has with students does not end with financial scholarship. Through the Resiliency Education: Advocacy, Collaboration and Hope (REACH) program, students are trained in important life skills including future planning, decision making, personal hygiene and stress management. The goal is to prepare students for the challenges and joys of living in and serving their communities to combat lack of knowledge in poverty-stricken areas.

The opportunity to focus on scholarships for girls, brought two HKIS faculty members to establish an endowment for CWEF valuing HK$800,000. The faculty members chose to establish the endowment because their research showed increasing educational opportunities for girls is the best way to support economic development and improve the quality of life in poor communities.

“We feel fortunate to have taught for a number of years at HKIS and we deeply believe in the school’s mission of Christian Service. We also felt a strong desire to give back to the people of southern China and southeast Asia whose hard work has generated so much of the wealth that supports a regional banking and trade center like Hong Kong and makes possible the existence of a school like HKIS. If it were not for them, we would not have had the opportunity to live and work here,” the donors said.

The endowment will provide ongoing support, so it will be possible for approximately 12 young women to complete high school and university per year, as their need and academic performance merit ongoing assistance. n For more information please contact Ms. Persephone James at director@cwef.org.hk

I have never thought I would be supported by someone. I am so grateful to the person who supports me. I will study hard and fight for a bright future of myself. –Liu

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HKIS Interim Then and Now

Interim has evolved since its inaugural year in 1979. Some things, however, remain constant such as the long-lasting friendships, the memories of things we did and the valuable experiences we took away from every service, adventure and cultural trip.

Camel Rides Turkey: The Ot

China: The Silk Road (1986)

her Holy Land

Pattaya orphanage

(2014)

girls in kimonos Japan: Spirits and Arts (1986)

Pattaya Orphanage (1988)

12)

Service in Pattaya (20

Japan: Kansai No Tabi (2014)

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HKIS Then and Now japan in the snow Snowmobiling in Japan (1982)

Here’s a sneak peek of the Interims offered for the 2015-16 school year!

Cambodia: From Empire to Empathy Cambodia: Siem Reap Service China: Lost Heaven in South West China Fiji: The Spirit of Fiji Hong Kong: Artist for a Week Hong Kong: Blue Water Sailing

Japan – Winter Mountaineering, Outward Bound (2006)

Hong Kong: Hiking and Biking Hong Kong: Social Awareness India: At the Foothills of the Himalaya India: From Meenashki to Munnar India: Children of Kolkata India: Teaching for Empowerment Indonesia: Telnunas Service Adventure

Horseback Riding Senior Class Trip:

Japan: Kansai No Tabi Japan: Trekking on the Nakasendo Trail Japan: Winter Mountaineering Outward Bound

Pattaya (1978)

New Zealand: Adrenaline Tour (2009)

Laos: Culture in Action Malaysia: Advanced Scuba Diving Malaysia: Beginning Scuba Diving Malaysia: Service in Ulaanbaatar Nepal: Annapurna Pranam New Zealand: North Island Adventure New Zealand: Eco Challenge New Zealand: Maori Legends Phillipines: Borocay Service South Africa: Reconciliation and Resilience Sri Lanka: Outward Bound Sri Lanka: Service and Community Insight Taipei: Biking and Bubble Tea

biking

Bik

ing in China (1992)

Tanzania: Culture and the Crater Thailand: Elephant Encounter Thailand: Habitat for Humanity: Chiang Mai Thailand: Masterchef

Central Thailan

d Mountain Bi

king (2002)

Thailand: Medical Certification Program Thailand: Mind, Body and Soul Thailand: Pattaya Service Thailand: Ricefields Service Project Thailand: Yaowawit School Service Turkey: The Other Holy Land Vietnam: Northern Region Service Vietnam: Phu My Orphanage

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HKIS Then and Now White Water Rafting Golfing

Rafting in Nepal (1993)

Golfing in Hong Kong (1985)

les (2000)

ks & Padd

Nepal: Pac

China: Golf and

Service (2011)

Surfing and Sailing Australia: Melbourne Coastal Experience (2010) lippines (1984)

Windsurfing in the Phi

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HKIS Then and Now Having fun on the plane Artisans of Ubud (1996)

ya (1979)

Patta Senior Class Trip:

hair today gone tomorrow Longer, shorter, gone.

Some things change after high school, and we still look great!

“I used to be a hair model for some place in Kowloon. For a free haircut I would let one of the master stylists do whatever he wanted- and this is what happened.” Prescille Cernosia ’88

“It’s a weight off my shoulders!” Henry Kerins ’05

“The barber shook my hand. He had done what he could. Taught me the hair clipper’s secrets. Now I was on my own.” Andrew Galbraith ’99

“I love my short hair, it’s way easier to manage. That hair took me way too long to style.” Jacqueline Kwan ’82

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Cover Story

n o i L e Th s r h o R 20

DRAGONTALES SUMMER 2015

Cover Story

As I tell my students, find out what you enjoy and are good at — and then find someone to pay you to do it. However, remember that it isn’t all about money.

I would not have worked as long as I have in teaching if the enjoyment of colleagues and students was not present throughout my years at HKIS. - Mr. Ken Rohrs

How do you summarize the legacy of an HKIS legend in one simple article, especially of someone who boasts a career span of more than four decades at the school? As our longest serving faculty member, Mr. Ken Rohrs has defined what it is to be a role model and educator over his 42 years of service to HKIS.. He has guided and inspired the lives of countless numbers of adolescents. He is seen as a friend and mentor to the hundreds of colleagues that have had the privilege to work alongside him.

Mr. Rohrs will never be described as conventional. Whether you remember him for his humorous T-shirts, his trademark Birkenstocks, his classroom snakes Versace and Gucci (gifted to him by HKIS students leaving Hong Kong), or slaughtering chickens and roasting pigs at Junior High camp to teach about food production, he leaves an indelible mark on the history of the school. Arguably, Mr. Rohrs’s greatest legacy to HKIS has been his never-ending quest to build a strong community among faculty, staff, students and parents throughout the school, and though this legacy will endure, his contribution will be truly missed.

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Mr.

Cover Story

Rohrs was brought up in Palo Alto, California, and spent many of his high school and college days hiking and climbing the mountains and peaks of the Pacific coast, a passion that followed him to Hong Kong and continues to this day. After receiving his Californian teaching credentials, in 1968, he left America, during the turmoil of the Vietnam War, and travelled to South East Asia on a four-year adventure. He arrived on the small, remote Cabaruyan Island in the Philippines and taught science at a diminutive United Methodist school. Cabaruyan may have lacked the basics like running water and electricity, but Mr. Rohrs spent four happy years there and even found love on the island when in 1972 he married Urduja Cacho.

Back in 1983, Mr. Rohrs initiated the Junior High biking trips to China, which have evolved into PEAK (Programs of Extended Activities for Kids) Week. Each academic year, all Middle School students participate in a week of activities outside of the classroom with a choice of traveling around China, Cambodia, Taiwan or Hong Kong. For more than 30 years, the trips have supported students’ Student Learning Results (SLR) growth in the areas of Chinese Culture, Character Development and Contributing to Society.

In 1973, Bob Christian, Head of School at HKIS, brought Mr. Rohrs, then teaching at the International School in Manila, to Hong Kong. “I thought I had died and gone to heaven!” exclaims Mr. Rohrs describing the move that took his monthly salary from HK$800 to HK$4,000. Urduja worked at HKIS in the elementary school. Mr. Rohrs and Urduja had two daughters, Maria-Christina ’94 and Irene ’97, both of whom were born in Hong Kong and attended HKIS K-12.

seventh grade teacher back when Ken and Jerry Markin were team-teaching

After 25 happy years of marriage, Urduja tragically passed away following a battle with cancer. Eighteen striking flame trees at the Middle School and four beautiful bauhinia trees at the Upper Primary School were planted in Urduja’s memory and continue to flourish today.

“Ken Rohrs was my eighth grade homeroom teacher 41 years ago.

That would’ve been his second year at HKIS. He was also my son Eddie’s together. As an educator, Mr. Rohrs was the ‘tough love’ type of person.

He sparked curiosity in all of us especially in any science-related subject.

My writing also blossomed under him. The Ken Rohrs who was 29 when he taught me and the Ken Rohrs 42 years later today still stands for his own principles, his own convictions and his own faith. And I feel these critical intangibles have become one of the building blocks of HKIS and the many later generation faculty who taught with Mr. Rohrs. He is HKIS,” says Ken Koo (Class of ’79, Ken Rohrs student 1974-1975).

A

me trees One of the 18 fla memory. s ja’ du planted in Ur Mr. Rohrs and his late wife Urduja Cacho in 1975.

mong his peers and colleagues Mr. Rohrs departs with an abundance of respect. “Ken Rohrs leaves the legacy of community and [the] model [of] how to maintain it,” shares Marcia Barham, a former Lower Primary music teacher and Mr. Rohrs’s colleague from 1994 to 2011.

“Ken made gingerbread houses from scratch for children to decorate each Christmas while living at South Bay Villas, organized Friday hikes, and wrote respectful letters to administrators and to the Board of Trustees supporting faculty and advocating for the best interest of all students.

Ken cares deeply about the history and culture of Hong Kong and cultivates this in his students and friends. Ken is living the life of a global citizen.

I have a deep respect and appreciation for the many gifts Ken has brought to HKIS.”

The verdant aesthetics of the Middle School campus owe their lush character to Mr. Rohrs. Inspired by Hong Kong’s natural landscape, Mr. Rohrs set out to cover the bare slopes of the Middle School when it opened in 1994. “Cuttings were germinated from plumeria trees, bougainvillea and hibiscus bushes… I had students bring in their seeds from mangoes and lychees that they had eaten. Those trees around the Middle School were planted by students from their germinated seeds,” says Mr. Rohrs with a casual air. Little does he realize how much of an impact this small gesture made, and it is a fitting metaphor for a teacher who has inspired so many. Now fully grown, the trees will continue to provide shade to hundreds of students that hang out in the area, another lasting legacy of this humble teacher. Middle School teacher Jeff Pierce, sums up Mr. Rohrs perfectly, “Ken is a class act; he just doesn’t have a whole lot of ego.”

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Mr. Rohrs’s classroom in 1974.

Cover Story Since 2004 he has been happily married to Karen Anne Rohrs (née Cook), HKIS Director of Professional Learning, and together they head onto the next adventure in his exceptional life. “I’m accompanying my wife to Denmark as she accepts her new position as Middle School Principal at the Copenhagen International School in Denmark,” says Mr. Rohrs. Though after more than 40 years as a pedagogue, Mr. Rohrs won’t be giving up his passion so easily. “For now, I will be working from August 1 to Christmas as a permanent substitute teacher for a guy who’s on paternity leave. It will be a great way to meet colleagues and new friends.”

HKIS’s loss will be Denmark’s gain, and it is with great sadness we say goodbye to Mr. Rohrs. As Linda Anderson, Ken’s colleague of over 20 years, perfectly puts it: “He is a model and inspiration for all those who wonder if it’s possible to do something you love every day of your life. He was our teacher, our mentor, our colleague, our friend. He will always be in the fabric of HKIS, and we love him.”

Mr. Roh

So when you find yourself sitting under the shade of a mango tree in Middle School, think about the man who has shaped this school through his passion, inspiration and desire to do something he loved every day. Take the time to know that in a small kingdom in the north of Europe, though they may not yet realize it, there are students and colleagues who will experience some of the magic he has brought to all of us. Godspeed Mr. Rohrs, HKIS will be forever grateful and will never forget the legacy that you leave us. n

rs teac

hing his

science

class a

bout m

ercury

in 1978

.

Middle School camp learning how to butcher and roast a pig at a food production site, 1974.

The 1989 biking trip to China.

Ken & Karen Rohrs on their wedding day in 2004.

Freeing a 3.4m Burmese python tangled in the HKIS soccer pitch net, 2001. ria rs Ma ughte a d ’s hrs .

Mr. Ro e Rohrs ’97 en and Ir

a ’94

Silveir

SUMMER 2015 DRAGONTALES

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Events

2015 Annual Ball

HKIS’s Annual Ball is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support the community we’re a part of. In its fifteenth year, the Ball is HKIS’s single largest fundraising event for the Annual Fund, which supports the school’s areas of greatest need.

“It was so nice to see friends, teachers and even work colleagues who are parents at HKIS gathered together.

Seeing everyone all dressed up almost felt like prom!”

Henry Kerins ’04 HKIS Alumni Association — Hong Kong Chapter President

HKIS Sam Fle Faculty: isc Catheri hmann, ne Este lla, Dee M and Jon ulligan, Smedes .

na Doo, rly Hu ’06, Li Sabet, Kimbe r Slavicky. ia rt az ua M St t: 7, emen nica Booth ’9 ro HKIS Advanc Ve u, La i ’96, Cec Therese Tee

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DRAGONTALES SUMMER 2015

Albert Yung ’95 and Alanna Chan ’95.

Events

O

ver 400 guests enjoyed the HKIS 2015 Annual Ball on Friday May 8, 2015, at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of HKIS, including many generous and long-standing corporate sponsors, attended the event in celebration of the HKIS experience. Also, the HKIS Alumni Association — Hong Kong Chapter hosted a table of alumni and danced and chatted the night away! HKIS alumnus Jeffrey Tan ’96 of Luen Thai Enterprises donated the awesome Guam Getaway For Two prize to the silent auction. The evening was a terrific fundraising success, with guests demonstrating their support of our school’s Mission, Vision and Student Learning Results by raising over HK$5.7million for HKIS’s Annual Fund and other school programs. n

Thank you to our premium table sponsors: Diamond 1. Mr. Timothy Lam Jr. 2. Kristy Luk and Family 3. Mr. Allan & Mrs. Mei Warburg of Donum Estate 4. Ms. Mui Cheung Platinum Tables 1. Mr. Scott & Mrs. Cam Hall 2. Dr. Ian & Mrs. Sharene Mak 3. Anonymous (3) Corporate Tables 1. Capital Group 2. Emerson Climate Technologies 3. Prudence Foundation 4. Mason Ching and Associates

Alan Runge an

d Vicky Seeh afer, Director of Ad missions.

Alan Runge, Head of School.

Ron Roukema, ry former Upper Prima nt Principal and curre Provost.

Silver Tables 1. Mr. Raaj & Mrs. Seema Shah 2. Mr. Ji-Il Kwon & Ms. Gae Young Lee Kwon 3. The Cheong and the Mai Families 4. Mr. Samuel & Mrs. Pauline Chu Bronze Tables 1. Dr. Jenny McMahon & Mr. Jim Sweeney 2. The Burgess, the Brantingham, the Davis, the Morin and the Niederberger Families 3. Mr. Johnny & Mrs. Stella Chen 4. Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Cecilia Fang

HKIS Alumni Association – HK Chapter

HKIS Alumni enjoying the evening.

Gold Tables 1. Mr. Patryck & Mrs. Andrea Merhy and Mr Nicolas & Ines Aguzin 2. Mr. Richard & Mrs. Kat Price and Mr. Carsten & Mrs. Kaori Stoehr 3. Mr. Steve & Mrs. Mina Martinez 4. Mr. & Mrs. Timothy DeLessio 5. Anonymous (1)

Mary Lamb, M ember of HKIS’s Board of Managers, and husband Da vid Lamb.

Maureen and Ryan Mai.

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Events class of ’88

& ’89 25th Reunion in Las Vegas

by Angela (Stich) Easterwood ’89

The classes of 1988 and 1989 combined once again to celebrate their 25th Reunion. We met last in San Francisco in 2008 to celebrate our 20th reunion, and we were excited to get together once again! Also, joining us to celebrate in Las Vegas were plenty of friends from other classes. Special thanks to Angela Stich Easterwood ’89, William Hsu ’88, and Kerry Ford ’89 who coordinated the weekend.

Since we started our Facebook page we have grown to 300+ members of HKIS Alumni (HKIS 88/89 — 25th Reunion in 2014). Using Facebook has been a great way to gauge interest in locations, timings and to connect with everyone before the weekend.

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About 45 alumni attended the Reunion weekend from June 27-29, 2014, at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The weekend included a Mexican dinner (a-la Casa Mexicana), pool time, a small get together at Tao, bull riding, and several glasses of San Miguel at our Reunion dinner! Prizes were awarded for categories such as Most Attractive Spouse, Most Kids, Turned Out Better Than Anyone Thought, Still Looks 18, and plenty more. We truly treasured this time together, and the opportunity to reconnect and have fun (just like the “old days”!).

In fact, we occasionally have informal get-togethers in the summer. Please join our Facebook group, by logging on and searching “HKIS 88/89 —25th Reunion in 2014”! n

Events class of ’84

30th Reunion in San Francisco

by Anita Lau ’84

The Class of 1984 held its 30th reunion in San Francisco from August 22-24, 2014. Alumni from around the country flew in from Washington, Washington DC, Illinois and California and started gathered on a warm Friday night at The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar in The Fairmont Hotel.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the Class of ’84, including Maria Williams Cypher, Debbie Kessler, Fiona Day Maynard, Jill Vollertsen Baer, Cheri Libby Carl, Dan Simanaitis, Minh Venator, Zul Arifin, Raphael Hebert and Arielle Piastunovich.

We were also joined by graduates from other classes such as Craig Day, Catherine Surrency Bodziner, Joyce Shek Barrone, Louisa Kwan, Alex Shafer and Mike Rehmeyer.

In addition to the HKIS familiars it was lovely to meet many spouses and better halves as well!

It was off to Chinatown for Saturday’s and Sunday’s celebrations. On Saturday we enjoyed a Chinese banquet at R&G Lounge and then Sunday dim sum at Cityview. n

SUMMER 2015 DRAGONTALES

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Events

class of

1994 20 year Reunion: “Same same… but different”

by Lauren Castellari ’94

It

was a very hot and wet June when members of the Class of 1994 gathered in Hong Kong for our 20th reunion in 2014. For many, the reunion represented a long-awaited visit home and a chance to spend time with oldest and dearest friends. It was also an opportunity to put places and faces to fond Hong Kong memories so often shared with new family members. (As Stacey Goff, wife of Bryce Goff ’94, said early in the week, “I’ve been hearing the same HKIS stories for over a decade — it’s fun to meet you all and hear new stories about those times!”)

On Friday morning, a larger group (Lara Kammrath, David Leventhal and wife Joscelyn, Faith Fischer, Roy Bas, Christine Overholt Dunn ’88 and her family, Bill Overholt – father of Christine and Alison – plus the crew from the day before) gathered at Central Pier 10 to take a junk out to Lamma Island for a seafood feast, followed by the mandatory jumping-off-the-top-of-the-boat out near Tai Tam. Watching a mini-Bryce Goff (son Jaden) leap off the top of the junk for the first time brought a smile to everyone’s face.

From the start of planning in 2013, the aim of the reunion was to give everybody quality time together to reconnect, while allowing people freedom to reminisce about or share with family members their own private Hong Kong. The result was four glorious, and sometimes gloriously wet, days spent rediscovering Hong Kong as the epitome of “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

On late Saturday morning the group was joined by Andrea Pulito and her husband Zack, and Brenda Pulito, (who finally made it to HK after multiple cancelled flights!) as they made their way to Victoria City, Sun Hung Kai Centre to enjoy a much-anticipated dim sum. We’re not sure anyone has ever taken four-and-a-half hours to eat — no, savor — dim sum before, but we are quite positive Victoria City has never seen so many char siu bao consumed by a single table! Later, the group reconvened atop the Ritz Carlton hotel’s hotspot Ozone to enjoy a beverage or three, and also take in the view of the harbour from the top of the city.

Childhood memories were relived for a small group when festivities kicked-off on Thursday, June 26, with a trip to the new and improved Ocean Park. The stunning gondola ride over the mountain was as mesmerizing as all remembered with everyone’s cameras clicking continuously. However, once everybody had melted in the June sun waiting to board the cable cars they were treated to a solid drenching on the water ride followed by several trips into the new polar exhibits; a real ‘god-send’ for Kristin Van Andel, Louise Stallard and her husband Mark, Lauren Castellari, and Alison Overholt with her husband Seth and daughter Maddie.

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The final event was a dinner including 26 alumni, partners, and one delightful Mr. George Coombs at Sang Kee restaurant.

It was amazing to see so many people who are fortunate enough to call Hong Kong home, as well as visit so many people who have passed through HKIS at some time from elementary to middle and high school. We were lucky to enough to add Ravi Choithramani, Jinsen Zee, Catherine Wang, Joanna Liu, Daniel Lee, Matthew Wong, Alwin Yih, Baldwin Yih and Terence Lui. That night rates as one of the happiest meals of my life. I admit to getting quite teary when Mr. Coombs gave me a copy of our 1994 yearbook that I was able to have signed by all of the attendees; I didn’t have one, since I left HKIS to return home to Australia halfway through junior year. We closed the restaurant and, reluctantly, finished up, with lots of hugs.

Events Our impression of Hong Kong was that it was very much the same place that holds such a warm place in our hearts and memories, despite all of the changes. But a few things of note…

Same-Same: • The bathing suit stall in Stanley where all us girls suited up in middle school and high school.

• The crazy speeding turns on the number 6 bus as it winds its way to get there.

• The awesomeness of 7-11 for, well, just about everything.

• The seafood at Lamma island.

• The garbage floating in the ocean on the south side of the island (ai-yeaaaaah!).

• The deep fried apple pie at McDonald’s.

• The movie theatre with tickets by the specific seat.

• The wall of project posters in Mr. Coomb’s fourth-floor classroom.

• The board of class officers on the wall of the high school atrium (yes, the people from our class are still on there in fading print).

• The night market shopkeepers’ “you want copy watch/purse”.

• Sisters Andrea and Brenda Pulito getting up early to go running each day.

• David Leventhal making multiple unscheduled stops for food stalls he passed by.

• Lauren Castellari and Louise Stallard (Bradden) enjoying an alcoholic beverage on Repulse Bay beach.

But Different: • All the buses have air conditioning!!

• The MTR is fully enclosed—and absolutely silent as it rushes into stations now.

• The Airport Express beats waiting in the long taxi line.

• The new airport is stunning, but we all missed the crazy flight approaches into Kai Tak, where you could literally watch people hang laundry from their windows as you looked out of yours from the plane.

• A glamorous, modern mall at Stanley Plaza where the run-down fishing village used to be.

• Now the 6/6X/260/262 buses go through Chung Hom Kok on the way to Stanley!

• The loss of all the cheap knock-off clothing markets.

• The new ease of getting a latte (Starbucks or otherwise).

• The even more vast and even taller sky line.

• The Octopus card for getting around or paying those McD’s tabs (you never need exact change!)

• The Peak as a new shopping destination.

• The Star Ferry seems like it moved a mile away from where it used to be (wait, it did! So much reclaimed land from the Harbour!).

As a final note, I wanted to thank everyone for joining me on this trip down memory lane. A big, special thanks to Janice Wang and Sharifah Albukhary, who both helped so much in the coordination and bookings — we couldn’t have done it without them.

For the people who were unable to attend, you were in our thoughts and reminiscences throughout the weekend, and we hope to see you all at a future reunion! n SUMMER 2015 DRAGONTALES

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Events Fai Yeung Lai ’00, Pooja Kumar ’09, Therese Tee ’96, Jonathan Lee ’97, Ryan Cheung ’10, Kimberly Hu ’06, Kevin Hui ’03, Carla Isley ’09, Edward Tsui ’00

Fun fact We witnessed an impromptu matchmaking session for a certain eligible bachelor from the ’90s!

decades luncheon In March 2015, as per tradition, HKIS hosted two luncheons at Lily & Bloom in Central; one for the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s and another for the ’00s and ’10s. A hearty buffet was served as everyone caught up and reminisced on their days as HKIS students. Derek Leung ’95 even dug up his old HKIS high school ID and brought it along to lunch, which gave everyone a good laugh. n

Milana Teod orovich ’95 getting her skin consul tation from Timot hy Tan ’93

, Albert

ssen ’95

n Jens Ja

Fun fact Dermatologist Timothy Tan ’93 gave free skin consultations!

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Yung ’95

Events

Sophia (Malliris) Rogers ’96, Linne Tsu ’96, Jens Janssen ’95

Therese Tee ’96, Jonathan Lee ’97

s 0 9 | s 0 8 70s | 0s 1 | s 0 0 & Fai Yeung Lai ’00 and Pooja Kumar ’09

Ryan Cheung ’10 Milana Teodorovich ’95, Chantal Teodorovich ’92

Justina Wong ’95, Albert Yung ’95, Derek Leung ’95, Anthony Ng ’95

Ben Leung ’97, Vivian Lo ’93, Leontine Chuang ’93

Derek’s old HKIS High School ID!

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Events

East Coast visit events

Mentorships were established, friendships sparked and lots of food and drinks consumed as graduates from classes ’68 all the way to ’14 attended our East Coast receptions!

This was HKIS Chief Advancement Officer Maziar Sabet’s second annual trip to the East Coast and September was a great time for the trip as many of our recent HKIS graduates were just settling into college. For graduates old and new it was a perfect opportunity to let them know that HKIS still loves to see them! n If you are interested in becoming an HKIS Alumni Regional Representative for your city, or to get in touch with your current Regional Representative, please contact Alumni Relations at alumni@hkis.edu.hk.

Fun fact

New York

September 20, 2014 Hudson Common Regional Representative: Esther Cheung ’97

Eric Maché ’68, a film editor and restorer, attended the New York reception held at Hudson Common. His mother, the late Dottie Maché, was one of the pioneers who started the mission to help found HKIS in the early ’60s.

Boston

September 26, 2014 Mija Spanish Restaurant Regional Representative: Michael Suen ’07

WASHINGTON DC

September 19, 2014

Park Hyatt Hotel Lounge & Bar Regional Representative: Ashika Singh ’96 32

DRAGONTALES SUMMER 2015

Events

West Coast visit events

San Francisco

Fun fact

February 9, 2015 Golden Gate Tap Room

The class of ’00 dominated the San Francisco reception with over 20 people from their year alone in attendance.

Regional Representative: Michelle Hu ’07

This was HKIS’s first trip out to sunny California and drizzly Vancouver but whatever the weather nothing dampened the spirit of the event! Huge groups of alumni gathered in each of the major cities and met HKIS Chief Advancement Officer, Maziar Sabet. Dr. Alan Runge, our new Head of School, also visited San Francisco reunion and met over 80 of our alumni! n Want HKIS to come to your city? Email Alumni Relations at alumni@hkis.edu.hk to see if we can set something up, we are always looking to expand our reach around the world!

Vancouver February 13, 2915 The Revel Room

Regional Representative: Jayce Allen ’85

Los Angeles February 7, 2015 The Stocking Frame

Regional Representative: Katy (Wong) Stark ’95

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Alumni Making Moves

Art & Culture Jehan Chu ’94 curating a career

Jehan Chu, Hong Kong Art Advisor and HKIS Alumnus, discusses his love of Art, life after HKIS and opportunities in the Art world.

What is an “Art Advisor” and what do you do?

I work with private collectors and pre-select art that has originality, and either good market value or potential. My clients select the work that they love and want to live with. Anyone can find art but it requires extensive research to sift through the museums and art fairs for historical and market value and most collectors don’t have the luxury of time.

You are also a director of the Design Trust. What is it and what does it do?

It is a grant-making foundation supporting design and architecture in the Pearl River Delta. We focus on long-term, high-impact, and often un-sexy projects like the M+ museum research fellowship and try to address some of the issues of traditional government funding by being fast and flexible in our grants.

Where did you go after leaving HKIS and when did you become interested in a career in art?

I left HKIS after seventh grade and returned to the US. After receiving a degree in International Relations/Economics from Johns Hopkins, I spent several years coding websites; naturally the world of high-end fine art was next on the agenda. I joined Sotheby’s auction house to help launch their online auctions and spent eight years in New York and Hong Kong learning about the exciting but complex world of art and auctions.

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What’s exciting about Hong Kong Art scene?

It’s become the premier destination for the art in Asia and is in the top three markets worldwide. Even more exciting is the sheer magnitude of energy and excitement from artists, audiences and being a part of Hong Kong’s rise to prominence as a cultural destination. To witness local artists like Lee Kit, and my own favorite the King of Kowloon, breaking through the Hong Kong ceiling onto the global stage is just amazing.

What would be your top recommendations to check out and visit in Hong Kong?

The Art Basel fair in March is a treat for anyone. Start off with deSarthe Gallery and Edouard Malingue in Central, Pedder Building galleries, White Cube and Galerie Perrotin on 50 Connaught Rd. For a non-commercial perspective, stop by Spring Workshop in Wong Chuk Hang, the Asia Art Archive in Sheung Wan. Para Site art space, Hong Kong’s leading non-profit exhibition center in North Point, where I’m Vice Chairman, is essential!

What advice would you give to seniors considering a career in art?

It really helps to love art to become successful. It can be an exciting but challenging environment for the first five years and a passion for art will make that time worthwhile. The industry is growing so being an artist is not the only path; people of many different areas of study (legal, accounting, marketing) can plan for a career in art. n Get in touch with Jehan: jehanchu@gmail.com.

Alumni Making Moves

Environment Laurel Chor ’07 INTO THE WILD

Laurel Chor ’07 speaks to DragonTales about gorilla health projects in the Central African Republic, filming a documentary on illegal ivory trading in the Congo and dolphin dissections for Ocean Park.

Less than 10 years out of high school and Laurel Chor ’07 has already amassed a hard-to-beat resume. Laurel attended Georgetown University after HKIS and in the last semester of college decided that she wanted to work with animals. “I took all the classes I could that were relevant, these were Animal Behaviour and Conservation Biology and then I applied to every single entry level ethology position I could find and pretty much no one got back to me except for the World Wide Fund (WWF). Part of the reason they wanted me was because of my International Health background,” she says.

Laurel landed her dream job: working with gorillas in the Central African Republic. Each day she would follow the gorillas to track them and learn about their movements. “We had to be with them from when they woke up until they went to sleep. And then we would go and find them the next morning. My job was to work with trackers and to collect data,” explains Laurel. For a young naturalist it was a wonderful place to be. “Where we were located there was a natural clearing in the forest and we could see hundreds of elephants, it was beautiful,” she remembers. However, her one-year stint was cut short by sixmonths following a government coup. “The rebels took over the country and the government and every day we were told that the rebels were getting closer. By the time we left we were told that they were only 100km away.”

Six weeks after her evacuation, soldiers gunned down 26 of the elephants that she had seen while tracking gorillas. Poachers collected the ivory and left the elephants to die. This tragedy led to the next chapter in her developing career. “I was approached by a filmmaker who wanted to do a documentary called Pembe Ya Ndovu [“Horn of Elephants” in Swahili] on the trade of ivory,” she said. “I went to an illegal market in the Republic of Congo to do some filming.” The production then took her to London to interview her hero and inspiration Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, one of the world’s preeminent primatologists and conservationists.

“The first time I heard of Jane Goodall was when I was a junior in high school at HKIS. She came to talk and because of that talk, she became my hero.

I was completely in awe and it is because of her that I wanted to work with gorillas,” says Laurel.

“I spent two or three days with her. I interviewed her for the film and that’s when she asked me to be an ambassador for the Institute in Hong Kong. It was the best day of my life. It was so surreal. The first time I heard of Jane Goodall was when I was a junior in high school at HKIS. She came to talk and because of that talk, she became my hero. I was completely in awe and it is because of her that I wanted to work with gorillas.”

Laurel returned to Hong Kong in March 2013 and through the HKIS network, she found a job at Ocean Park. She started as a seahorse surveyor on a volunteer basis. “I did some pretty cool stuff.

We went to all of these sites to dive and counted how many seahorses we could find to figure out how many there are in Hong Kong”. Ocean Park hired her as a conservation assistant and, alongside other duties, she helped perform autopsies when dead dolphins or whales were found in Hong Kong’s wild. After a year at Ocean Park, Laurel received a grant from National Geographic to start the Hong Kong Explorers Initiative. “I started this because growing up here I realized you really don’t appreciate nature in Hong Kong. The idea is to get people to explore Hong Kong and appreciate nature in the territory,” says Laurel.

Laurel’s commitments to conservation continue alongside her regular job at a local news website, “Now I have a full time job as Coconuts Hong Kong’s Associate Editor. But I can’t give up on my conservation work so I serve on the board of the Hong Kong Shark Foundation and am still an ambassador for the Jane Goodall Institute of Hong Kong,” she says. In the meantime, we can’t wait to see what Laurel’s next adventure will be! n Get in touch with Laurel: laurelchor@gmail.com.

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Alumni Making Moves

Food & Beverage John Liang ’03

FOOD, FRIENDS AND FACULTY

Budding restauranteur John Liang ’03 talks about starting businesses with friends and the two people at HKIS who never gave up on him.

Where did you go to college and what did you do right after graduation?

I went to Bentley College in Boston and majored in corporate finance and accounting. I came straight back to Hong Kong and worked at the private bank LGT for about a year and then at AIG Insurance for about a year and half. I wasn’t happy in either of my jobs because I just didn’t have a passion for finance.

Tell us about your first restaurant and how you decided to make that move.

I realized with my personality that I needed to be my own boss.

I didn’t like working for big corporations and not being able to see the fruits of my labor. I love the flexibility of owning my own business, and I love food. So much so that at one point I gained 45 pounds in college! I was lucky in that I had a consultant who guided me through the process of starting my own business and opening a restaurant. Back then there weren’t that many Japanese restaurants in Central, Sushi Kuu and Hanagushi were the only ones that people really knew about.

I saw that as an opportunity and opened the doors to my first Japanese restaurant, Gyotaku, in January 2011.

What was your biggest challenge when opening a restaurant?

I still remember the date clearly: March 11, 2011. This was the date of the huge Japanese earthquake and tsunami, which damaged a seaside nuclear power plant. Gyotaku been officially open for about two months but business froze for the next three or four months because people in Hong Kong were worried about eating contaminated seafood from Japan. So I had to find other sources to import my fish. It took a lot of work but slowly people got more comfortable with eating sashimi and trusted that what they were eating was safe.

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You have grown your business so much in just a few years. What other restaurants are you running now?

I have Three Monkeys on Hollywood Road, which I opened with a classmate from HKIS, Alex Yamashita ’03. Our friend Man-Kit Lee ’03 did all the branding and menus for Three Monkeys for us too! I also have Cargo 5, which is a private kitchen in Aberdeen that serves teppanyaki. And just this year I opened a shabu-shabu restaurant in Causeway Bay called Shimo. My newest project is Chibee, which I opened with another HKIS classmate Min Hee Hong ’03. Chibee is a Korean fried chicken restaurant, I’m quite excited about it because it’s very different from all the other restaurants I have.

The rest are more high-end Japanese restaurants, this is my first Korean one and it has a lower price point in comparison to my other restaurants.

Was there any teacher at HKIS that left a big impression on you?

Actually there were two: Mr. Handrich and Mr. Sathyaraj.

They were my mentors and I will always look up to them. I’m not going to lie, I had moments of bad behaviour when I was in school, but those two always encouraged me to do better and always talked to me when I was struggling at school. They were special because I could see that they genuinely wanted to see me do well. I can’t wait to welcome them to my restaurants when they are in town next! n Get in touch with John: jliang76@gmail.com.

Alumni Making Moves

Sports Natalie Guzikowski ’12

TAKING A BOW

Natalie Guzikowski ’12 on team sports, continuing her Chinese studies and her plans for the future.

Natalie Guzikowski ’12 started her college career at Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) playing Division 3 basketball. But fate and a coach had other ideas for the 5'11" athlete. “During orientation at F&M the rowing coach came up to me and said ‘you’re tall, you should come to one of our practices, I think you’d be good,’” says Natalie. She spent her Freshman year doing both rowing and basketball and in her Sophomore year chose to pursue rowing. Now, after three short years and a cross-country college transfer, Natalie is on a Division 1 rowing team at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) and is part of the qualifying team that made its first NCAA Championships appearance in May 2015.

Her days begin early at 6:30 a.m. on the water followed by classes and then an afternoon cardio and weights session at 3:00 p.m. five days a week. “UT has an athletic dining hall with a professional athletic nutritionist that makes sure we are consuming enough calories. It’s also really great that my roommate is on the rowing team too so we have a similar schedule; it makes getting up in the mornings easier,” says Natalie. Between practices Natalie fits in her studies as a neuroscience major and Chinese minor. “I took up to MSL4 (Mandarin as Second Language Level 4) in High School. I loved learning Chinese and didn’t want to give it up so decided to pursue a minor in the language,” she says.

While at F&M, Natalie helped the program reach an important milestone in 2014 when she became F&M’s first All-American athlete for women’s rowing and was named to the Division III collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Popock All-America Second Team. Following her achievements, Natalie was recruited by an impressive list of US colleges that had Division 1 rowing teams, including UT. She decided on UT and has so far been more than happy with her decision.

Always big on team sports, Natalie did HKIS Varsity volleyball, basketball and softball. “Rowing is also a team sport and the thing that really gets me through each race is my team. I know my teammates are working hard so I want to also. We give it our best because we know that each row is going to bring us one step closer,” she says. When asked what her plans for the future are, Natalie says with confidence, “hopefully the Olympics!” Given her past, this future seems right. n Get in touch with Natalie: nguzikowski@utexas.edu.

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HKIS Gallery

High School Student Art: Two-Dimensional

Ami Kurosaki ’16

Samantha Ng ’16

Kelly Chong ’16

Sujin Oh ’17 38

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Kristine Koehler ’15

Milestones

Josephine Wai

Jo at h

er first

Executive Assistant to the Head of School, Jo retires in October 2015 after 15 years at HKIS.

office in

HKIS, 2

000.

How long have you worked at HKIS and what is your position?

I’ve been here for 15 years working as the Executive Assistant to the Head of School and the Executive Secretary to the Board of Managers.

How many Head of Schools have you worked with?

I’ve worked with eight different Heads of School: Chuck Dull, Bill Wehrenberg, Jim Handrich, Richard Mueller, D.J. Condon, Kevin Dunning, Linda Anderson and Alan Runge. I’ve also served with eight Board Chairs: Tom Gorman, Steve Goldmann, Irene Fan, Douglas Henck, Mitch Stocks, Doug Werth, Abbi DeLessio and soon Harold Kim. Lucky eight two times around, and lucky me!

Was your office always located in the High School?

No, actually we moved around a lot. We used to be located in the Middle School and I’ve changed desks at least five times since I’ve been here!

After so many years do you still eat cafeteria food? What is your favorite cafeteria dish ever?

Yes, I do! I really like the char siu that the cafeteria makes and occasionally they have Hainan Chicken rice, which I love.

anagement, Facilities M Director of l, ool. al H ch S at P of Jo with er Head unning, form and Kevin D

What do you think of HKIS students?

HKIS students are very worldly and eloquent. They are full of character and very brave individuals. HKIS students strike me as people who speak out for what they believe in as well as speak up for others. They’re not like the kids in my days, who just did as they were told without much awareness of what’s happening around them.

Was there an HKIS student who made an impression?

When our office was in the Middle School, one day a young student came by looking for the Middle School Principal. I teased him a bit and said, “do you mean you don’t know where your Principal’s office is?” He pulled himself very tall and straight and responded in a dignified way, “I’m proud to say I’ve not been called once to the Principal’s Office!” What a gem!

Jo with husband

Peter.

What is one thing that you will miss about HKIS? I will definitely miss the people.

And one thing you won’t miss?

Getting up early! I can’t wait to sleep in.

What are your plans for retirement?

I would like to travel more, do fun things with friends, get more involved with volunteer work and spend time with my family. I am really looking forward to taking long lunches with my girlfriends!

Jo with son Philip on

the Sydney Bridge in

2013.

Get in touch with Jo before she leaves in October!

Send her an email at jwai@hkis.edu.hk.

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HKIS Gallery High School Student Art: B/W Photography

Chloe Kwan ’15 Yanny Yu ’15

u ’18

Arthur Cha

Jamie Yeung ’15

Emma Hanson ’18 40

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Calum Black ’17

In Memoriam Mary Dunning Mary was born June 6, 1957, in Chicago. In 1979, she graduated from Concordia University and on July 7 of that same year married Kevin Dunning, HKIS’s Head of School from 2011-14. God blessed their marriage with two children, Jeremy (1982) and Maggie (1987). For over 30 years Mary served her Lord as a teacher in Lutheran schools in Portland, Oregon, New York City, Cleveland, Chicago, Las Vegas and most recently at HKIS where she worked in the Lower Primary School library.

Mary and Kevin Dunning at HKIS in 2011

On February 24 this year, our dear friend and colleague Mary Dunning was called home by her gracious heavenly father. She was truly an example and role model of faith, character and perseverance to all who were fortunate to know her — family, students and friends.

Mary and Kevin’s favorite memories were of Hong Kong and the many friendships they forged at HKIS. Mary always saw change as an opportunity to grow personally and professionally and to witness for Christ. Never was this more evident than during her time in Hong Kong. Mary provided a welcoming and caring place for all in need and was a gentle advocate for animal and human rights. You could always count on her quick wit and warm smile to help soothe whatever was troubling you.

Mary was very ill with cancer over her last year, but never lost her faith or stopped caring for others. She was a tremendous witness to Christ and a role model for us all. She leaves behind family, friends and colleagues with many fond memories and great life lessons. Thank you Mary for sharing your life and your love with us all.

Lynne (Carpenter) Halpern ’84

By Michael Taylor ’85 I have some very sad news to share. Our friend and classmate, Lynne Halpern (nee Carpenter, ’84), passed away on October 1, 2014, after a long and difficult fight with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband, Mark and two children, Zachary (12) and Zoe (10).

Lynne moved to Hong Kong from Montreal with her family in 1983, and spent one year at HKIS, graduating in ’84. She made great friends, many of whom she has stayed in touch with over the years. I have very fond memories of travelling to San Francisco with her in 2004, celebrating our 20-year high school graduation with a large group of fellow alumni. Following that event, we continued to get together with other HKIS friends

living in and outside of Toronto. Lynne often said how good it was to have that connection, and how comfortable and special those friendships were.

During her illness, Lynne, as always, was incredibly optimistic and strong. She never gave up hope and never bemoaned her circumstances. She was an amazing mother, a loving and devoted wife, and a wonderful friend to all those who knew her.

She will be sadly missed.

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Justin Lee ’23 Justin Lee, Grade 4, died tragically in January 2015 following a short illness.

A community of over 500 friends and family gathered on February 7 to celebrate his life.

These are some of the words spoken in his honor at the memorial service of this exceptional boy.

Tribute to Justin Lee ’23

By Gene Cheh, Upper Primary Associate Principal I am a friend to Justin’s parents, and my three children had the pleasure to know, play Justin Lee and become friends with Justin and his sister Hannah. At school, I did not see Justin in class every day. However, you don’t have to see someone often to have them touch your life. It was easy to know Justin through his words and actions which also affected many others in positive and wonderful ways.

I know of Justin’s strengths as a dedicated and successful student.

Justin’s teachers praised the many aspects of his strong academics.

Justin was described as thoughtful, creative, responsible, mature and conscientious. He was a keen reader and “a walking thesaurus” with an amazing vocabulary. He was a diligent mathematician who worked hard to join and succeed at Math Olympiad. Simply put, he was a model student.

I know Justin was respected by his friends and peers.

Not only was Justin elected as a class representative to the Student Council but he was also selected by his peers to be the school Treasurer, a position not often afforded to a fourth grader. Justin played an integral part in building school spirit, raising money for charitable causes, and performing at school assemblies.

I know of Justin’s dramatic talents and natural on-stage charisma.

Justin was the most memorable actor on stage at last year’s Christmas assembly. Who could forget his performance of comically singing “Jingle Bells” in full voice, purposely just a bit off key? Or as a founding member of the Admit Skit performances in Ms. Besser’s Grade 3 class? Along with his good friends Tommy and Harrison, Justin’s performance and interpretation of the song, “Let It Go” is legendary and for me will forever link the song with the need to go to the bathroom.

I know of Justin’s athletic abilities and participation in numerous team sports.

Justin represented HKIS in many ways. In a squash tournament he won a silver medal for his age group. As a competitive swimmer, he participated in the silver group on the Stingrays. On the Tai Tam Tigers, for the past three years, he was praised not only for his defense, slide tackling and natural abilities as a great goalie, but more importantly, for being one of the hardest working players each and every practice.

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I know of Justin’s fine skills as a musician.

Justin played the cello for two years and loved being part of the orchestra. In addition to being a talented musician, friends fondly remember his enjoyment in performing, posing for photos with creative pointy hairstyles and warming up before class with the theme from Star Wars.

In addition to school, I knew Justin in another capacity; that of a parent to children who spent many playdates together with Hannah and him.

I know firsthand of the joy, laughter, silliness and fun our kids experienced when they did cannonballs in the swimming pool, foursquare in the house, chowed down on chicken wings and fries, and danced like Katy Perry or Rihanna while playing Just Dance on the Xbox or Wii. When I asked my kids what they remember most about Justin, they all mentioned that he was extremely funny, very caring towards others, especially his sister, and that in a word, he was simply “awesome.”

Needless to say, Justin has made a big impact on all of us at HKIS. There is no stronger testament to how much Justin is missed by his HKIS family than the outpouring of love and grief shown these past two weeks. On the sad day that we learned of Justin’s passing, his classmates came together to support each other in their time of grief. Some channeled their love for Justin by planning tributes and making movies while many others wrote touching notes and posted them on the Memorial Poster which you may have seen as you entered the church today. Taking our cue from one class, the entire Upper Primary School gathered on the school playground last Friday, wrote messages on paper airplanes and sent them into the heavens along with thoughts and prayers for Justin and his family.

It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting for things to happen. Justin was not one of those people. Instead, he lived life to the fullest. He played with passion and always laughed with great zeal (and volume). He had a deep and profound impact on us all.

Helen Keller once said, “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.”

In this room and beyond, we have all witnessed and enjoyed Justin’s spirit and loved him immensely.

Because of this, Justin is, and forever will be, a part of us and never, ever be forgotten.

Justin Lee

Julia Lee ’12 & Griffin Lee ’15 In February 2015, the HKIS community suffered an unspeakable tragedy when senior Griffin Lee, his sister Julia ’12 and their parents Aesoon and Warren were killed in a car accident while on holiday in New Zealand. Over 500 friends and family members gathered at HKIS for a memorial service; these are the tributes given to the Lee children that night.

Julia Lee

Warren, Aesoon, Julia & Griffin Lee

Tribute to Julia Lee ’12

By Mike Kersten, High School Humanities Teacher There are few things that can be said about Julia Lee that were not embodied by the genuine warmth and personal radiance of her smile. Anyone who knew Julia will inevitably first remember her boundless cheerfulness and positivity. Julia was a profoundly happy girl. She loved life. She loved people. And we loved to be around her.

Julia had the special gift of making people feel instantly at ease.

Her keen passion, devoted work ethic, and unassuming nature gave Julia an irresistible charm. I had the pleasure of being her homeroom teacher for four years of high school and I saw how happy she was day-in and day-out, with unflagging optimism no matter what the circumstances. At a small reunion dinner the night before she left for New Zealand, Julia was exactly as I remembered her from high school – bright and funny, with that brilliant smile and contagious laugh.

What was new, however, was her recently decided major – computer science. It was an interest she had discovered through an introductory course at Tufts University and not what I would have first expected from her time at HKIS. A student here since Reception 1, Julia impressed her teachers and excelled in all her subjects, earning high school awards in humanities and math and being selected as a member of the National Honor Society. When she headed to college two and a half years ago, Julia’s inclination was towards biochemistry and environmental studies.

Yet it seems that during her time in Boston, Julia continued to “collect passions”, as her college advisor so aptly put it. In this way, her newfound interest should come as no surprise to those who really knew her. Julia was endlessly delighted with all the possibilities life had on offer and never hesitated to explore or devote herself to those that lit a spark in her. Some were life-long, like playing tennis or joining service activities.

Griffin Lee

Others came in bursts of passion, like photography or playing piano. During her junior year of high school, for instance, Julia gleefully recounted how after watching the Twilight movie, she wanted to play Bella’s Lullaby “River Flows in You” on the piano so, despite not having played or practiced for five years, she spent every waking hour of her Christmas break surfing the Internet for sheet music and watching YouTube tutorials to re-learn how to play notes. Finally, she memorized her new favorite song, for no other reason than her personal joy in the music.

This intensity of focus, coupled with her whimsical delight is what made Julia such a wonderful person. I saw the impact of her personality firsthand when she joined my elective service-learning class to Cambodia during her senior year of high school. Over the course of two trips to an orphanage in Kranglovear, Julia poured her heart and soul into connecting with a young Cambodian boy named Saly. At meal times, on bike rides, during lessons, and in all our games, Julia always made sure that little Saly was having the time of his life. She taught him to play guitar and use her camera.

There are literally hundreds of photos documenting their time together. The two were inseparable.

By the end of the second trip, Saly was always flashing a wide, toothy grin that was as easy and infectious as Julia’s. Every year since 2011, as subsequent classes return to Cambodia, I see Saly’s smile and think of Julia. He still asks about her by name every time. And I have no idea how I’m going to tell him that she’s gone.

She shouldn’t be.

You see, Saly isn’t the only person whose life Julia touched with her good spirits during her short years with us. Whether on her interim trip to Laos, at the Pattaya orphanage in Thailand, working with HEAL Africa, teaching at the Chi Ling Buddhist Primary School in Hong Kong or through her many other activities, SO many people were blessed by knowing her. From her closest friends and dearest family to her lucky classmates and otherwise strangers like Saly, no one walked away from Julia without some of her happiness rubbing off on us.

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While we will never know what passions she would have ultimately devoted her adulthood to, we do know that she gave her young life with complete sincerity and love to everything and everyone she cared about.

How could someone be this way?

I think that the answer is in the photographs behind us – Julia’s family. Julia always spoke fondly of her parents and her brother, and especially their weekly tradition of having Sunday lunch together.

Julia lived with the confidence, grace, and joy that comes from knowing without a doubt that you are loved, wholly and fully loved, simply because you are a precious daughter or son. As we miss Julia and remember her life, may we take comfort that she passed away in that same confidence. She is together with her loving father, mother, and brother.

As we remember them, may we smile as Julia did so often and so easily with the attitude she once described of herself saying, “I always look at situations with a positive outlook. It takes a lot to make me angry or sad, and I love smiling.” Thank you so much Julia for being a part of our lives. We will do our best to keep sharing your smile.

Tribute to Griffin Lee ’15

By Madeleine McGarrity, High School Counselor Julia was a senior when Griffin joined the high school. I, therefore, had already experienced first hand the family’s intelligence, kindness, compassion and the love they had for each other. In my first encounter with Griffin and his cheeky grin, I recognized the exact same qualities and values in him.

Since Julia was dealing with college apps, their parents had an awareness of the importance of doing well academically and being engaged in extracurriculars. Julia was excelling in all these areas, but as a 14 year-old freshman, Griffin was interested in none of it. He much preferred to be on the tennis court or gaming with his friends.

A constant in Griffin’s high school life was his great love of tennis. He wrote, “I am not the most athletic student at HKIS, but being able to participate in this activity allowed me to harness that teenage-testosterone-rage and put it to productive use!” His parents were quick to acknowledge that he “was not the most athletically coordinated person!” and for those of us who have seen his dance moves at the pep rallies, we know exactly what they mean.

Griffin was easy going and laid-back. His parents noted that they rarely saw him get nervous, whether it was taking exams or playing tennis matches. The only time they ever saw him stressed was before his mile run for PE. The mile run determines how many Independent Fitness, or IFs, that the students have to complete to gain extra credit in PE. In the spring of Grade 9, Griffin had 18 to do and he wanted to complete them before it got too hot. We put together a calendar of his free periods and what he would do in each. At his 44

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suggestion, I kept the calendar on my desk and after each completed IF, Griffin would drop by my office to check it off the calendar. So every other day, I would look forward to that cheeky grin coming in for a brief chat. I remember him looking so alert, energized and happy. Or should I say awake!

Griffin and I saw each other a lot in his freshmen and sophomore years, as we were constantly trying to develop his study and time management skills. Griffin’s time management could only be left to the imagination. I always ask the freshmen what they would give themselves for time management if 10 is the best they could ever get. Griffin gave himself a 2 out of 10.

A few themes stuck out in my meetings with Griffin during Grades 9 and 10, as my notes frequently read. “We spoke about getting to bed earlier as he is tired all the time, his grades are going down through not handing in homework or giving it in late, maturity is definitely an issue!”

Sometimes his parents would contact me to request a meeting because they were getting emails about missing assignments from his teachers. It was a frequent complaint. No matter what frustrations the parents were having with Griffin, the room was always filled with the family’s love for each other and their laughter.

His parents described to me how they felt during those years: “Griffin had a rough start to his high school career. However, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We would rather Griffin stumble and fall while the stakes are not too high and we are here to offer support and advice.”

By spring of his sophomore year, his parents wanted him to do some community service, beyond the activities he did in school through Z Club. Through a family friend, mom arranged for him to volunteer at a home for the elderly in Aberdeen, at The Little Sisters of the Poor. Now this is Griffin, and initially he only went because his parents insisted on it. Griffin had shared with me that when he was younger, he had to visit a great aunt in a nursing home in New York and he hated going because it was scary.

But as he continued with the activity through his junior year, Griffin shared with me his stories of Mr. Li, Mr. Chan, Mr. Ng and in particular, Sister Agnes who cared for the residents.

The fear of nursing homes was gone and he spoke of the importance of giving dignity to the aged and making their experience more enjoyable. He spoke highly of Sister Agnes and wrote, “her dedication inspired me to live my life with direction and purpose.

Often times I’ve done things in life just to do them, or because I was told to.

I am now more conscientious about my actions and I’m learning to apply this mentality to every aspect of my life.”

Junior year, I saw a change in Griffin. I always believed that if his maturity ever caught up with his brain he would take on the world and be very successful in whatever he chose to do. Griffin reflected, “I wanted to see for myself if I had it in me to reach the potential that others saw in me. I started doing the little things that everyone is supposed to do but I never did. I kept track of my assignments, completed my homework and studied for tests. I started getting good scores and realized that my level of confidence was growing.”

Well, we did indeed see his true potential emerge and his grades improved greatly. He discovered a love of chemistry and would explore topics on the Internet beyond the curriculum. In

addition he wrote, “what I enjoyed most in my life was the dinners that I spent talking to my father about business and economics. I enjoyed these talks so much that I picked up my sister’s old AP Micro Economics book and started reading it.” Griffin went on to self-study for the AP Micro exam and earned a 5.

The last time I saw Griffin was the Thursday before Chinese New Year. He came by at lunchtime to tell me he had been accepted to Tufts. In typical Griffin fashion, the email had actually arrived the Saturday before but Griffin hadn’t checked his email. He was so happy. A very different Griffin stood before me. Gone were the doubts and insecurities of being accepted to college, he appeared centered, owning the ground he stood upon, and was confident in his future. He spoke of the good things that having Julia on campus for a year would bring, but this was Griffin, he was also happy that his big sister would only be there for one year and not four. He gave me the biggest bear

hug of all the hugs he had ever given me. And of course I got that cheeky grin.

I take great comfort in knowing that the family’s time in New Zealand would have been filled with happiness and contentment.

As parents, Warren and Aesoon knew that Griffin was now settled and he and Julia would have the year together. Their futures were bright.

Griffin lived each day in the moment, always with laughter, always loving his family, always loving and having fun with his friends, and of course seeing what mischief he could get up to.

Griffin, I miss your kindness, thoughtfulness, intelligence, your joy of life, your fabulous sense of humor and especially your cheeky grin. It will be forever in my heart.

Dottie Maché and Len Galster: HKIS Pioneers

By Dave Kohl, HKIS Art Teacher, 1973-80 Author of “Dragon Taels”, a history of HKIS’s first 20 years, and “Lutherans on the Yangtze”, a two-volume work detailing 100 years of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in China.

Nearly 50 years after their combined efforts enabled the founding of Hong Kong International School, two Dottie Maché significant pioneers passed away during the winter of 2014-15. Dorothy Maché in New York was 95; Len Galster in Oregon was 84.

A “CliffsNotes” history of HKIS’s origins rests with these individuals: Americans Dottie and Joe Maché moved to Hong Kong from Japan around 1960 with their four school-age children. They met weekly with Missouri Synod Lutheran missionaries for Cantonese-English services on Sunday afternoons at the Concordia School on Tai Po Road. Living in Chung Hom Kok, the Maché family lobbied for English services on Hong Kong Island. Rev. Len Galster was assigned to explore possibilities. After a 400-family survey of expatriate families in the neighborhood, services began on March 4, 1962 in the reading room at the historic Repulse Bay Hotel. The Machés became an integral part of the leadership, teaching Sunday school, and doing whatever was needed. Len’s wife Ruth provided music. The expatriate group grew on the model of Lutheran congregations while individuals incorporated their own denominational traditions.

The desire for a church building soon emerged. In 1963, the Hong Kong Government informed Repulse Bay Lutheran Church that land would not be provided for a church, but that a school containing a church was permissible. Len coordinated the school committee: he enlisted the architect Bill Wong to provide complete plans for a seven-story K-12 school; Mel Kieschnick of the Missouri Mission networked with the Hong Kong Education and Lands Departments; HKU Professor C.S. Hung dealt with local procedures; and Joe and Dottie enlisted the American Business community. Len generated publicity materials,

researched community Lutheran High Schools in America, and promoted the innovative school as a mission project to Missouri Synod. By 1965, approval for financing the project was given at the Synod’s Detroit Convention.

Construction began within days. Bob Christian was called to be founding Headmaster in 1966. He opened the provisional school for 1966-67 in a converted apartment building in Chung Hom Kok. The first senior class from the new building graduated Len Galster in 1968, with ceremonies in the long-anticipated Church of All Nations.

The Galsters accepted a position in Thailand and left Hong Kong before the completion of construction, as did the Kieschnicks. Their careers took them into diverse paths in church work, their role in HKIS history complete. Len returned to America, serving congregations in California and Oregon.

Most significantly, he produced a 60-page booklet, summarizing the Gospel of Jesus with chronological Biblical quotes, translated into 32 languages. 600,000 copies have been distributed.

The Machés stayed in Hong Kong. Joe remained a dynamic Board Chairman for years, overseeing the second building project, while Dottie taught art for 11 years from a moveable cart. Justifiably, she called HKIS “our school” and often made references to the first years of the school as “day one”. The Machés lived and breathed HKIS. She and Joe retired in New York state, living on a vineyard near Lake Erie.

Well done, thou good and faithful servants.

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Staying Connected

1969

Class Notes

Sheryl Scarborough Bomsta

It’s hard to believe that 45 years have passed since our Class of 1969. After graduation, I attended Mankato State College in Minnesota. While there, I met and married Larry Bomsta in October, 1971.

We moved to Minneapolis, spent three years in Yankton, South Dakota and then spent the next eight in Sterling, Colorado. In 1989, we moved to Montpelier, Idaho and I have been here ever since.

Larry passed away in November, 2007.

While in Yankton, I took the opportunity to go back to school, I graduated Cum Laude and got a BS in Accounting.

I’ve tried multiple jobs but my focus was raising our eight children: Rebekah, Eric, Grant, Brandon, Rachel, Lori, John, and Zack. Along 46

DRAGONTALES SUMMER 2015

with broken bones there also been major trauma: Brandon cutting off a portion of his toes and John getting an ice skate in his brain. Both incidents turned out well; Brandon is a physician and John is an Army Lieutenant. Eric’s struggled with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, he battled this cancer for two years and this past January had a stem cell transplant. He is doing better every day. I have 22 grandchildren ranging from 3 months to 24 years, with more on the way.

Montpelier has been a great place to raise children, but leaves something to be desired for a relatively young widow.

So, I decided to try online dating and I met a wonderful man, Frank Vilt. We married in January, 2011. He has eight children, so we have lots of kids to visit. We bought a radio station about two years ago and have worked diligently to revive it, as it was in need of a lot of “tender loving care.”

I’d love to hear from any of the rest of you. If you’re ever passing stop by: sbomsta@gmail.com.

Al Jimmerson

Recent Easter 2015 visit to Hong Kong. The first for Tamara’s sons, Jayesh & Kaeden!

I have been in Huntsville since 1987. I practice law, primarily aviation law.

Married, one daughter living in Birmingham, one grandson.

1977 Tamara Scarbrough Mehta

At Shek O Country Club....my childhood “hangout” as my parents were avid golfers…and so too are all “my men”!

Hello from Tamara “Tami” Scarbrough Mehta Class of 1977, sister of Sandra Scarbrough Walters (HKIS staff member in the 1970s), Sheryl Scarbrough Bomsta (Class of 1969) & Dwight Scarbrough II (Class of 1972). I live in London, England. I am married to Atul Mehta, and we have two sons, Jayesh (15) and Kaeden (13).

All the best to you all.....

Tamara with sister, Sandra Walters – long-time HK resident and former HKIS French teacher during 1970s.

Photographed at Sevva with a dear friend, Doris Ma.

Jeff Loh

I’m married and have been living in Indonesia for the past 23 years, working as an architect. I have one daughter, who is married and just gave birth to a girl.

A 2013 gathering in London with Barb Shelton Mayben (far left), John Langford & Tamara (both front row) — all Class of 1977 (Also pictured: Barb’s sister Lisa Barnes, center, and Tamara’s husband Atul on right).

And back in London....our family’s favorite past-time and passion.... watching professional cricket at Lord’s or our sons’ school and club matches!

Staying Connected 1981 Marcel and Elaine Hoeing My husband and I both turned 50. Justine, Marcel’s mother, departed for Germany for a 3-week visit on my birthday. The following week, we received an early morning phone call from Justine’s friend letting us know that Justine had fallen and broken her leg and was getting it pinned. She contracted pneumonia while in hospital but a stay in a wonderful rehab facility is credited with saving her life.

Helen, Marcel’s sister, was wonderful and flew from Beijing to Germany to coordinate German bureaucracy! The grandkids, Natalie and Pierre, took great pains to visit and help out after Helen had to return home.

Word of advice: ALWAYS buy travel insurance!!! Justine returned to Tucson and is finally getting to a new “normal” and becoming more and more active and healthy.

In May of 2013, my aunt and uncle moved from Maryland to Tucson. My aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s prior to the move, but no one realized how far along she really was. She passed away this June, but the time we had with her over the past year was wonderful. We have had many family parties here at our “new” house. My dad lives here in Tucson and we convinced his two surviving brothers to come for one last visit with my aunt to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday. That was a great weekend with loads of fun, with the addition of a cousin from back east as well. Great times!

We will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary next June (remember we were married at 21), and we are starting to plan a trip. Anyone care to join us??

We would love to hear from our wonderful friends from

Hong Kong so contact us: mshejh@cox.net or phone: 1-520-885-1508. The “new” address is 10979 East Vuelta Merecumbe, Tucson AZ 85730.

BraveSoldier Ventures, we made time to do things together: cooking, traveling, supporting charities, hiking, movies and taking Tommy the Salami out for walks.

Take care!

Elaine and Marcel Hoeing

We chose Iceland as our wedding destination because I ran 250 km across in 2013 and she was there to see me cross the finish line. Then came a burst of wedding events: Iceland with our parents, Hong Kong tea ceremony and banquet with my relatives, a weekend with guests from abroad and lastly, an afternoon garden cocktail party at the Peak Lookout for all of our friends. My two best friends of 35 years from HKIS — David Wu ’86 and Bert de Guzman ’86 were my best man and groomsman respectively.

Voon San Lai ’90 was also a groomsman. HKIS has been a big part of my childhood from Grades 5-12 so it was very special to have nearly 30 HKIS alumni and parents as our guests.

1983 Dianne Hui Jones In the fall of 2013, Hiroko Nishikawa, Izumi Matsumoto and Miho Yanagida Armacost and I got together in Hong Kong for our own little 30th reunion. Typhoon Usagi tried but couldn’t dampen our spirits as we had a great get-together in a great city!

At the end of last year, I took advantage of an early retirement package and retired after 27 years at Prudential!

After what was essentially a five month sabbatical (which was wonderful!), I went back to work as a consultant at what was essentially my old job, minus the meetings and stress.

It’s a pretty sweet deal, I must admit. But I expect it to be a somewhat short-term thing and then I’ll have to figure out what’s next, in case I run out of things to keep me busy.

1986 Derek Kwik

Ninety days later, I ran my 14th ultra-marathon. Each marathon has been for the benefit of my charity, the SPCA, of which I am a board member. We devote much of our free time to participating in non-profit youth groups such as Junior Achievement Worldwide, Kids4Kids, Cambodian Children’s Fund and speaking at schools. I was very honored to be invited back to HKIS to read my children’s book, The Kwik Adventures Of Baxter Brave and Tommy the Salami.

If anyone wants to connect with me, I would love to hear from you. Email me at ktderek@hotmail.com.

On March 1, 2014, I married Desiree Sumilang in Budir, Iceland. Amid our demanding work schedules, Desiree as counsel at Allen & Overy and myself as managing partner of

1989 Rachel Smith

Hello HKIS! Sending a note to say hello to my class of 1989 friends!

Enjoy reading the updates in DragonTales and realize that I haven’t been in touch in awhile! I am still living in the Baltimore/Washington DC region (20+ years). My husband Marty and I have a blended family of five wonderful children - Taylor (21), Amelia (13), Gavin (5) and Eva & Lea (4). We own a commercial fire alarm/life safety business and both my husband and I spend days working on the business, and nights and weekends trying to keep up with family!

Hard to believe it has been 25 years since graduation — hope everyone is doing well :-) Take care — love and friendship, Rachel

1991 Stephanie de Vera Lape It’s been a long time since I’ve turned an update. We’re on the move again! Last year we spent a year in a small town called Mascoutah, Illinois (just outside of St. Louis, Missouri).

My husband decided to take a different job with the Army and accepted a position at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX. We moved here this past summer and we’re adjusting to life in Texas. Absolutely love it here.

I transferred to another Bed Bath & Beyond and celebrated my eight year anniversary with the company. We have two boys: Lander is in 7th grade and Kalen is in 4th grade. We dove into football practice the day after we stepped on Texas soil. We should be settling down for the next three years.

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Staying Connected 1996 Leslie Lim I moved back to Hong Kong after attaining a Fine Arts degree in Seattle, Washington.

I later earned my postgraduate degree in education and I’ve been teaching for the last decade. I am happily married with an almost 2 year-old son, Chace. I attended HKIS from Grades 8 to 12; those years of learning and growing have always held a special place in my heart. Now that I am in the educational field myself, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the unique and nurturing learning environment I experienced at HKIS. I have learned to persevere through hardships, to speak up for what is right, and what it means to be a life-long learner.

1997 Alvin Ko

1998 Amanda Henck Schmidt

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Amanda Henck Schmidt, husband Josh Schmidt, and son Colby Schmidt (born 21 May 2012) welcomed Lua Rose Schmidt on 21 June 2014. The family lives in Oberlin, Ohio where Amanda works as an Assistant Professor of Geology at Oberlin College and Josh works as an engineer at Fluke Biomedical. They are all looking forward to a trip to Hong Kong to visit Colby and Lua’s grandparents. Lua and Colby’s Aunt Jess ’99 is responsible for putting Lua in the box.

in Beijing and eight in Shanghai.

HKIS ’99 classmates James Roy, Michelle Cheung, Jeremy Tan, Vicky Harding, Vivian Loh and Michael Yuann also live in Shanghai, and we try to meet up every few months for an alumni dinner.

2001 Jamie Lee

Doing well in Detroit. Since 2013 we adopted our 4 year-old son and have a 18 month-old daughter. Still picking my friends’ noses as an otolaryngologist at Henry Ford Hospital. Thinking about HK often in these evolving times.

Hope all is well, HKIS.

1997 Catriona Fox

My husband and I have settled in Canberra, Australia for the moment and I am running my own graphic design and marketing business: Loud & Boomy (www.loudandboomy. com) I am also mother to two gorgeous boys, Monty and Jacob. To get in touch email me at catriona@ loudandboomy.com.

1999 Andrew Galbraith

In Vancouver, Canada on September 20, 2014, I had the good fortune to marry Emily Alitto, a Chicagoan I met in Shanghai. The duties of Best Man were ably carried out by Dickie Mok (’99). My sister, Veronica Booth (’97), was Emily’s Maid of Honour, supported at the head table by her husband Mat and 7 month-old daughter Sophie.

Jason Ing ’99 and Justin Hardman ’99 flew from their homes in Hong Kong and Seoul, respectively, to join the festivities and to celebrate the fact that no injuries were sustained over an unhinged bachelor weekend in Taipei in August. Also celebrating were Justin’s wife, Janet Yuen, and their 3 month-old daughter, Juniper.

Since the end of 2012, I’ve been working closely with Ford Motor Company’s Asia Pacific corporate and product communications teams.

Previously, I worked as a business journalist for four-anda-half years, first with China Economic Review magazine and then with Dow Jones Newswires.

In August, I passed my 10th anniversary of living in mainland China — two years

I moved back to Hong Kong in 2009 after living in the states for over 5 years after I graduated from Washington University in Saint Louis.

Prior to my move, I have discovered CrossFit in Los Angeles and decided to establish a CrossFit gym in Hong Kong with my long time friend, David Chang. We currently have two locations in Hong Kong under the name CrossFit 852.

2003 Clement Tse

On Sept 27, 2014, Claudia and I married in the tropical island of Koh Samui. We were accompanied by 150 of our closest family and friends, many of which were fellow HKIS alumni. We met three years ago and knew within a few months that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We are excited to start the next chapter of our lives and look forward to raising the next generation of HKISers.

Staying Connected 2005 Alisa Matthews After leaving HKIS, I graduated from Syracuse University and then spent a year in Tokyo in an intensive language program. In 2011, I returned to Hong Kong and in May of this year, while vacationing in Prague, I got engaged to fellow HKIS ’05-er Andrew Otoshi. He has also been living and working in Hong Kong after graduating from the University of Southern California and tapping into his Japanese roots by joining me in Tokyo.

We both feel so blessed for the great friends we made at HKIS and are fortunate to spend time with the many that currently reside in Hong Kong. We wish you all the best!

2006 Dino Man I’ve been building my career in the advertising industry in the past 3 years, I am now a Regional Digital Strategist at Ogilvy & Mather, specializing in social media strategy. Beside my full-time job, I recently started my own business with 7 other business partners. I am super excited for this new adventure! We have franchised a well-known Korean soft-serve brand Softree, our Hong Kong flagship store opened in Causeway Bay in November 2014. Remember to come drop by and say “Hi!”.

J.B. Hunt. I’ve been with them for a little over two years. I have been married a little over three years now and am based out of San Francisco Bay with my husband, Raed. Before that we lived in Chicago, Miami and Bentonville. I’ve been able to reconnect with old HKIS friends since I’ve moved here and am looking forward to hearing everyone else’s updates soon!

Nicola Fan I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 2010, with a major in Graphic Design. I’m now based in Hong Kong, working as an art director and filmmaker (www. nicola-fan.net) for the advertising/branding industry.

I also enjoy creating music videos and short films. My latest music video, “The Eve” was screened at NYC Independent Film Festival in Oct 2014. It was also screened at Clermont Ferrand International Film Festival in Feb 2015, sponsored by Hong Kong Arts Centre. My latest short documentary “Inspire Hope” was commissioned

by Society of Community Organization, to shine a light on its atypical approaches in giving-back to society.

with the airline and hotel points I’ve accumulated through work. In 2014 alone, I was fortunate enough to be able to go to: Tanzania twice (once for Safari and once to hike Kilimanjaro); India for a fellow HKISer’s wedding, as well as all over the US (Chicago, Tahoe, San Fran, Boston, Minnesota, Las Vegas, Vermont), usually it’s to catch up with old friends, many of them who have had ties in one way or another to Hong Kong.

2007 Indrayudh Shome Yes been living the good and broke life with 4 unstructured days a week! Playing lots of music, working as a video editor and music teacher, running my record label and travelling! I live in Providence, Rhode Island now. Don’t know if you have any clue where that is, it’s a great little artist city an hour outside Boston.

Graduated from Brown and just ended up staying here.

Soo Jin Kim

Lauren Hsu

outdoor yoga class in the newly operating PMQ in Hong Kong. #joblove One of the many highlights of 2014 is Michelle Hu ’07 got married to Niki Pezeshki!

Kimberly Hu ’06 and Victoria Hu ’13 were the maids of honor and Yuli Lam ’07 and I were both bridesmaids. Many HKIS alumni also attended their unforgettable wedding in LA: Kevin Hui ’03, Brent Todd ’03, Ramona Pascual ’06, Jasmine Grewal ’06, Lauren Lee ’06, Laurel Chor ’07, Mason Winzeler ’07, Erin Lee ’08, Tyler Leung ’10, Nick Hu ’11, Stefanie Yong ’11, Jonathan Cheng ’12, Byron Young ’13. I’m excited for more weddings and opportunities to see fellow alumni!

2008 Jessica Cheng After many years at HKIS, I left for the US and graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 2012. I moved back home not long after graduating and worked for Esprit, followed

by Hong Kong Tatler with fellow alumnus, Kimberly Hu ’06 and Justine Lee ’06. While I loved work, interior design was always my calling and I am now attending Insight School of Interior Design in Chai Wan!

2009 Carolyn Wong

Shireen Khan Directly after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign I completed my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and promptly started working as a Mental Health Therapist for inmates in Cook County Jail (which I loved). Now I’m working as an HR Generalist with a logistics company called

Since college I’ve been working in consulting for a company called Accenture and living in NYC. I travel for work every week Monday -Thursday to the client site which as of late has been Fort Worth, Texas.

Although living out of a suitcase gets tiring after a while, the job has allowed me to travel all around the world

I moved back to Hong Kong in 2010, and I currently work for lululemon athletica in the Brand & Community team. I build partnerships and organize events for our communities in Asia. We were the first to host a 150 person

Since graduating in 2009 from HKIS, I was recruited to swim at Boston College at a varsity level, where I completed four years and received the Director’s Award for Academic Excellence. As a double major in Marketing and Management SUMMER 2015 DRAGONTALES

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Staying Connected Leadership, I was also heavily involved in many internships spanning across advertising through to PR with various brands such as the TJX Companies, Merrell Footwear, and Chili’s Restaurants. Upon graduation from Boston College, I then worked as a Marketing Communications Specialist at a company called MACOM, managing several marketing programs from buying to social media strategies and was also directing and producing videos. My move back to Hong Kong in July 2014 reignited my international lifestyle and I began work as a New Business and Marketing Specialist for an integrated marketing services company called Racepoint Global. I am also very delighted to also share my engagement to Michael DeRobertis after a week-long cruise in the Caribbean back in July, and we are actively planning for our wedding in the summer of 2016!

We also share a beautiful pup named Lobo who we rescued from Tennessee, and we love to enjoy beach days and long hikes in the mountains.

2013 James Bachelor Unlike the majority of people at HKIS I decided to go to University in Australia, where my family is from. I am currently doing a double degree in Law and Commerce at Bond University. I am also working part time 2-3 times a week at the Palazzo Versace 50

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Hotel. Bond University has a three-semester system where you can finish a regular threeyear degree in two years. Due to this system I do not have a long summer break but I will finish my two degrees quicker than it takes to do one degree in America.

Jenna Watson

2014 Special thanks to 2014’s Class Officers for rounding up a great collection of reflections on the class of 2014’s first year at university!

Hope you have all had a chance to come back and satisfy your cravings for tasty food and cheap transport.

After HKIS, I began attending Boston College as a full time student. During the summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college, I did an internship at an advertising agency called TBWA/Hong Kong for a month. Throughout my sophomore year as part of a school program, I am doing an internship at a service organization called Bridge Over Troubled Waters. I work at a maternal group home and an education center for homeless youth.

Joyce Chan

Zoe Chui

Although I’ve been having a great time in college, I still miss being at home in Hong Kong and surrounding myself with the city and culture. I look forward to going back and hopefully finding time to visit HKIS.

After I graduated from HKIS I started school at King’s College London to study law, which is quite different from what most HKIS graduates do for their undergraduate degree. Before I went into college I did a few law-related internships but after my first year of college I decided to explore different opportunities unrelated to the legal profession.

So the past summer I did an internship in the food and beverages industry and learnt a lot about management and branding as well. It was so much fun and I definitely want to utilize the few summers I have left to explore different options before I (probably) jump into the legal industry!

McGill University Montreal, Quebec Leaving home and going to college has been a great experience for me. Being at college has allowed me to gain independence, grow up and also see and meet a lot of new people. It’s interesting to have the chance to leave high school and see how big the world actually is and what it has to offer. McGill has been a great place to find myself and to develop not only academically but personally as well.

Daisy Cheng Columbia University New York City College.

What I love about it: Finally back in NYC! There is so much to do all the time, and it’s such a fun place to be. Feels really familiar.

Don’t like about it: School is tough, and sometimes feels a bit too big. Also, not as much good Asian food.

College is fantastic and I’m absolutely loving every part of it. I’m meeting new people everyday and enjoying the freedom that college has to offer. I’m also taking a lot of classes that I enjoy and that’s definitely a plus. Though at the same time I do miss HK (especially food), my family, friends and HKIS teachers.

Gigi W Choy University of California, Berkeley Berkeley is a place that’s full of unique and fascinating characters. The freedom that I have in college is something that I appreciate. Being able to choose my own classes and create my own schedule is definitely a plus. I enjoy all of my classes and find all of my professors engaging, approachable, witty and extremely knowledgeable. In lectures, I learn so much more than simply the subject being taught by the professors. So far, college has been a great experience for me and I’m really enjoying my time at Cal. There are so many things that I’ve missed about the place I’ve called home for the past 18 years. I miss the skyline and the city of Hong Kong itself, my family, the easy and cheap transportation system, and the food! What I crave the most right now is a bowl of Cha Siu Fan or BBQ pork rice.

What I miss most about HKIS are the faculty, being able to hang out with my friends everyday and the closeness of our Class. As a college student, borrowing textbooks for free is definitely another thing that I miss!

What I miss about Hong Kong is the food, family, friends and closeness.

Tanya Gandevia

Franziska Cheung

University life is awesome!

I constantly get to work on things I am passionate about.

Though Hong Kong is still the

The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Staying Connected best, it’s not cold in October and has way better food.

John Grimme James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia College is going really well.

Made lots of new friends and have fallen in love with the campus food. I also absolutely love naps now. I never thought I would enjoy napping again as much as I do right now.

The only thing I don’t like is one of my classes that I had to take because I didn’t make my enrollment time slot and was forced into the class, which I feel is a waste of my time. The thing I miss most about Hong Kong is definitely the food and the ease of traveling around the city.

Nathan Guzikowski

easy to get around Boston, it’s just not the same. And although I’m in a fairly large city like Hong Kong, it still lacks the feel that I’ve become accustom to.

Nonetheless Boston is amazing and college life is lots of fun!

Andrew Hwang University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan I love the independence and all the stuff the campus offers (activities and other fun stuff).

What I miss most about Hong Kong is the amazing food...and just the city itself. Ann Arbor just doesn’t quite compare.

Estelle Ip Northeastern University (N.U.in Program) Greece

Trinity University San Antonio, Texas Loving the weather, the culture of San Antonio, meeting new people and being able to see friends all hours of the day. Missing my house, my dogs and HKIS’s staff.

Sydney Hoi Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts Everything is going great so far! Classes are interesting and can easily be tailored to my preferences, and the people around my campus are all so fascinating and diverse.

Although I walk around campus seeing unrecognizable faces, it’s great to meet and get to know new people. College has been a great opportunity for growth and new experiences, and I’ve definitely become more independent and confident in my own abilities.

Notwithstanding the great aspects of College I definitely miss Chinese food the most and the ease of getting around Hong Kong with cheap public transport. Although it’s pretty

the summit was very rewarding.

It was also a good bonding experience with the other classmates. I came back with a bunch of new friends that I thought I’d never befriend. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

I do miss HKIS a lot. I miss the teachers, my friends, the facilities provided, the daily routines, but most importantly, all the familiar faces I’ve grown to love throughout my 12 years at HKIS.

Moritz Kaeslin University of Connecticut Storrs, Connecticut College has been a lot of fun so far. The people are nice and there are lots of cool clubs you can join. I like that it’s very different from high school since it allows for new experiences.

One thing I really miss from Hong Kong is the city. I like the rural life style but I am definitely missing the city life style as well.

Nikki Kwan Western University London, Ontario Climbing Mt.Olympus

My first semester I ended up in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Actually I didn’t expect to go to Greece at all. I was chosen amongst a few other hundred students to participate in semester abroad program.

During my semester there, I completely immersed myself in the Greek culture. I have learned some of their language, their customs, their traditions, and especially how to make their delicious food! Being one of the few Asians in the city, it was interesting to see how people reacted when they saw me.

The majority were welcoming.

I got to climb Mt. Olympus, which I loved. It was a two-day hike and we had to camp overnight on the mountain. It was an arduous hike, but reaching

University is going great! It’s been so interesting meeting new people, but I still miss the old crowd. I love the school spirit at Western, but I miss the small community feel of HKIS, like being able to say “Hi” to everyone as I walk through the halls - faculty, staff and students alike. I miss the close relationships I had with my teachers at HKIS. It is a lot more difficult to get to know professors simply because of the size of classes. My profs really seem to care about helping us succeed and giving us all the help that they can, but it’s still not the same as the small classroom setting of high school. I hear it gets better as you go into upper-year courses in college though. I felt at ease at HKIS — like wearing wellworn shoes that have molded

to your feet. University is exciting and refreshing, but it is an entirely different experience for sure. Can’t wait to visit Hong Kong and HKIS!

Sindy Lam Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts I love how well HKIS prepared us! Classes here are harder but HKIS gave me the skills to approach my difficulties.

I miss sitting and seeing the Class of 2014 during lunch.

Last but not least… I miss the food in HK! What I miss the most: good authentic Hong Kong/Chinese food, my own comfy bed, my family and my dog, being able to travel anywhere using the bus, my teachers at HKIS whom I’m close with, nerding out with my HKIS buddies, the Humanities Office and the Humanities Center.

Ashley (Yeo Eun) Lee Boston University Boston, Massachusetts I love that there are so many new people that I’ve met in college and they all seem like very nice kids! I also love that I’m able to find clubs that I really enjoy being a part of, such as Hong Kong Student Association. It’s nice to have a group of students with the same background, it certainly helps me deal with being homesick! I’ve been fortunate to become part of the executive board of HKSA, which allows me to create events for Hong Kong kids who miss home and also provide an area for freshmen who’re still looking for something to do on the weekends. I’ve also been making events for people from different associations to gather and get to know each other as well! I definitely miss my friends back in HKIS, being away from them makes me cherish my childhood friends even more.

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Staying Connected Chloe Lee University Of Southern California Los Angeles, California I love how in college I can do things that I never had a chance to do. For example, I’m in the USC Solar Car team, which is basically a club that is designing and building a functional solar car to race in Australia. I miss the food in Hong Kong though. I mean there are Chinese restaurants in LA, but nothing compares to the ones in Hong Kong. I miss the familiarity of HKIS.

Michelle Ling University of Illinois; Urbana-Champaigne Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Megan Lee

I love college! I found my group of friends and had so many memorable experiences already! (watching the redmoon was definitely one of them). So far, the only thing I have to complain about is the workload because engineering is difficult but I’ll manage. I miss the food at Hong Kong constantly and my friends from HKIS. But other than that, I guess I am adjusting to college fairly well.

Cornell University Ithaca, New York

Mari MacDonald

Lukuo Lee Colgate University Hamilton, New York Love campus life, independence, classes. Missing HK food and friends.

College has really been an emotional roller coaster, filled with many highs and lows! I’ve gotten to meet so many new people, and have even encountered multiple HKIS alumni. I’ve joined our school’s daily newspaper, The Cornell Daily Sun. I’m part of their marketing team and it has been such a great learning experience in addition to my classes this semester. Just being here has really opened me up to the many possible career paths that I can take. After my experience with the Interact Club fashion show in my junior and senior year, I was definitely excited to participate in Cornell’s fashion show. I have been finding ways to apply what I’ve learned from my past leadership experiences at HKIS to what I do at Cornell.

Being so far away from home, I definitely miss being in a familiar place but, at the same time, there are just so many things to do here, that time passes by so quickly. It’ll be 52

just a matter of time before we all come back! I’m counting on seeing many fellow HKIS alumni on my flight back home from JFK. I look forward to catching up with friends over dim sum in Hong Kong.

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Western University London, Ontario, Canada University has been awesome!

I got to meet a lot of new people and make a lot of new friends. I absolutely love living in a traditional residence, we’ve been doing a lot of fun activities and events. On the other note, I’m in science so I have a lot of studying to do and also a decent amount of classes. On top of that I have rugby practice everyday.

Athletes are treated well and looked after well and I feel like I’ve become apart of another family with my team. I feel that HKIS prepared me well compared to my other friends who are coming from other high schools. I feel that I’ve learned a lot of critical things from HKIS such as time management, long classes, course work and over all motivation and striving to do well. I can really apply those characteristics in university, which help me to do well over some other students. I definitely

find myself more homesick than other students though.

It’s just something about Hong Kong that makes you miss it, and all the food, so much.

Even though I am loving it so much here at Western, I cannot wait to see my family and friends back home.

Juan Ong Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts College has lived up to all my expectations. I can study the subjects that I love as well as join clubs to explore any new or existing interests. I’ve managed to continue singing in an a cappella group, the UniSons, which I’m extremely happy about. I’m also minoring in a music-recording program on top of my business administration major. The opportunities I’ve received in college have almost been overwhelming. I also love that I can schedule my classes the way I want to (no more early morning classes for me!).

I definitely miss my friends back in high school. In HKIS alone, I’ve met musical influences, role models and some of the best friends I could have asked for. As for Hong Kong itself, I miss the amazing MTR, the cheap taxis and the beach.

miss about Hong Kong. The local food most of all.

I entered HKIS in 2009, in my freshman year. I experienced so much in this short time-span: the coming and going of friends, the different learning experiences, as well as a myriad of unexcused absences and tardies. But looking back now, it wasn’t just one thing that I miss about HKIS, but everything added up together that truly made it a worthwhile five years. It’s everything that has happened in the past few years that has shaped me as who I am now, and not having even one of those moments might have sent me in a different direction.

Zack Shaw Washington College Chestertown, Maryland I love the social life. You’re with friends all the time, every meal, studying or chilling with them everyday. But I miss my family. I’m jealous of kids who are an hour away from their family while mine are all the way across the world.

Janice Shiao University Of California, Los Angeles

Joon Sang Park Boston University Boston, Massachusetts My college experience so far has been nothing short of amazing: I have made tons of friends, eaten enough food to ensure that the Freshman 15 myth holds true, and have had an amazing learning experience.

However, the thing I love most about college is probably the freedom. This isn’t to say that I’ve completely let myself go all-out, but it’s that I am forced to make my own decisions, and to face the consequences of said decisions.

There are so many things I

What I love about college: College is a time to really explore what my passions are.

I always had an idea of what I loved, but this is the time for me to figure it out. I’ve met so many people with different passions, stories and directions and it inspires and motivates me to find mine.

Staying Connected I also love the change in scenery. I miss home, but it’s nice to grow as a person in a different environment.

Everyday you learn something different about yourself have a new revelation.

Jennifer Nicole Thompson Washington State University Pullman, Washington

What I miss about Hong Kong: There’s a joke that it takes “45 minutes to get anywhere” in LA and it’s true. It probably takes longer. I loved being able to go to the beach or into the city in less than 20 minutes. Oh…I also miss my family: I love you guys!!

THE PEOPLE — both faculty and friends! I miss you all! UCLA is so big and I love getting to meet new people everyday, but I miss the community feeling sometimes.

Just being able see familiar faces and high-fiving everyone.

I miss the Class of 2014; we are awesome.

But overall, I love UCLA and I’m so blessed to be here.

Willie Siau Occidental College Los Angeles, California What I love the most: small classes, teachers always open to discussion. Office hours are helpful, fun people (I’VE ACTUALLY MADE FRIENDS!),

best weather, studying the things that actually interest me.

Isaac Tai Brigham Young University Provo, Utah I’m here in college to get my degree and start working as soon as I can. My parents didn’t shell out thousands of dollars to see me have fun and waste this opportunity. I hope I can help them retire soon.

Julie Van Westendorp It’s definitely been an amazing feeling to be able to witness four different seasons, here in Washington. Hong Kong’s hot, hot, hot weather definitely hasn’t prepared me at all of the cold that already began in late September out here. The one thing I truly miss about Hong Kong is the fact that there’s always something to do.

We have that perfect blend of city life, beach life, nature and SO MUCH FOOD! Also, seeing the protests out in Hong Kong was probably the one time I wanted to go home the most. I felt helpless being all the way over in Washington while everyone else in Hong Kong was fighting for their rights. All in all, I love it here at Wazzu where our school spirit shoots through the roof but I still miss Hong Kong like no other. (HKIS should learn a thing or two from WSU football games.) GO COUGS!

Hannah Turley University Of Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia

Roy Teo

I am doing well in college and am truly loving it here in C-ville. I am experiencing my first fall, but am missing Asian food.

Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana

Ellie We

Lots more freedom in college, but a much higher sense of responsibility. Work load out of class (homework) is a lot more difficult and time consuming!

learned that with freedom comes responsibility. You no longer have anyone to rely on but yourself. If you oversleep for a class or decide to skip it, professors will not chase after you and tell you what you need to do, because they are responsible for several hundred students, if not thousands. You’ll need to bear the consequences and know what you’re in for if you mess up.

Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania I love the freedom that comes with university, but I’ve

Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts Northeastern is great! I love living with my suite mates and my classes are awesome.

I joined a sorority and I’m loving it, I met so many incredible new friends through that. Boston is a wonderful city filled with other college students, so it’s really easy to meet other students. Although I’m loving the US so far, I definitely miss my family and pets at home in Hong Kong and of course my friends from HKIS!

Connor Williams New York University New York City From Orient To Occident Warm breezes, winding roads, protestors and harrowing skyscrapers, Wan Chai, Char Siu and the unique and unforgettable smell of the dungeons, MTR trains, “viridescent” parks and the endless changes of what once was “Ritazza”, These are the things I miss.

The hustle and bustle of a city that never sleeps, chilled winds and boundless potential, Stimulating lectures, bright minds and budding new sciences,

Jasper Wong University Of California, Riverside University has been quite different from what I had initially imagined. There is a lot of freedom that is given to students; and with that freedom, students set their own schedules and manage their own time. For me personally, whilst I enjoy the newfound freedom that sets university apart from high schools, I do miss the HKIS system and everyone that either attends or is a faculty member there. I hope to see everyone again soon!

Jonathan Yeung University Of Oxford Oxford, England What I’ve loved the most about college so far is the freedom and breadth that it has provided me with. My schedule is very flexible and I have free time to explore whatever I want (or procrastinate whenever I want). Learning to be independent has also been a thrilling process, as well as meeting new friends in a new environment.

I miss my friends from HKIS, as well as the familiarity of HKIS. I miss that feeling of seeing my friends at school everyday, struggling through HS together. I miss the speed of everyday High School life, that feeling of running to class at the last possible moment, going to that class I love.

As for HK, I miss everything, but definitely the food. Here in Oxford, food choices are very limited (comprising daily of mash potatoes mainly) The first thing I will do when I get back to Hong Kong for the holidays will be to go to Tsui Wah and have a bowl of noodles.

Libraries, endless avenues, theatre shows and bubbling students, These are the things I will, in time, miss.

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Staying Connected Former Faculty

Charlene Schneiter (1981-1993)

David Kohl (1973-1980)

I was Assistant Principal in the Elementary School and responsible for coordinating all K-12 curriculum work as well as having prime responsibility for K-5 curriculum work. I also served as the liaison between HKIS and the Michigan State University Overseas Graduate Program.

I facilitated the opening and was in charge of the Kennedy Road camps until my departure from Hong Kong.

Dave Kohl, art instructor from 19731980, has completed a two volume centennial history of the Lutheran Church Mission in China, available on amazon.com. Volume One details the work of the church in six major locations in Central China, beginning in 1913: Hankow, Shasi, Yichang, Enshih, Kweifu, and Wanhsien. In Volume Two, rescued missionaries from Wanhsien founded work in Hong Kong, which led to the Church of All Nations, from which HKIS was visualized in 1963 and opened in 1966.

The books add much personal detail and local history to an understanding of the Chinese Lutheran church. A hardcover version, combining both paperback volumes, is available from dkohl@cu-portland.edu. www.lutheransontheyangtze.com.

On retiring to the Oregon Coast, I joined HKIS veterans Sarah Todd, Jack MacSlarrow and Scott Rhodewalt in starting an international school in Tianjin, China. We now live in Wilsonville in the rural southern outskirts of Portland, Oregon. We have eight grandchildren born at Hong Kong’s Matilda Hospital.

Daughter Lesli Summerlin Hammerschmidt of Armonk, New York, graduated from HKIS in 1984.

My husband, Fred Schneiter, has a new book out, “The Taste of Old Hong Kong – Recipes and memories from 30 years on the China Coast,” published by Blacksmith Books of Hong Kong. More than a recipe book, it’s a light-hearted travel/adventure reminiscence of Hong Kong’s final cozy and memorable Day of Empire. The underlying theme is Heed the Call of Your Horizons, reflecting the spirit of HKIS. The final sentence suggests, “A good life, like good fried rice, does indeed have a lot to do with how much good stuff you are willing to stir into it.”

Louise (1984-1998) and Michael Weber (1982-1998) Michael taught Grades 3, 5 and a combined 4-5, as well as being tech coordinator for Lower and Upper Primary and science coordinator for Upper Primary. Lou began as administrative assistant 54

DRAGONTALES SUMMER 2015

to elementary principal Jim Handrich, curriculum room coordinator, taught kindergarten, grade 1 and 5 math and language arts, and began HKIS’s preschool program at Kennedy Road in 1991. She was LP Assistant Principal (1993-1998).

In 1998 we moved to Shanghai, China to help begin Concordia International School Shanghai. Lou was elementary principal and Michael was director of technology. Lou served as principal until her retirement in 2010. She also served one year as head of school at Concordia Shanghai, 20062007. Michael served as tech director until his retirement in 2008. He continued as a substitute teacher at Concordia until 2010. He also taught middle school math classes.

We currently live in Fort Myers, FL. Michael volunteers several days a week with Habitat for Humanity. Already has his 1000 hours pin! He is also a member of Zion Lutheran Church’s executive board. Lou writes devotional material for Creative Communications’ publication Hope-Full Living.

She is also chair of Zion Lutheran Church’s early childhood education center’s board, as well as president of the Lee County FL chapter of Thrivent Financial. Both of us are involved in other ministries within Zion Lutheran Church and the greater church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). We have also done numerous presentations at conferences for the LCMS’s Florida Georgia District as well as for the Lutheran Education Association, often talking about overseas teaching!

Our son, Jason Weber, was a student at HKIS from 19841997...K-12. Upon graduation he went to Valparaiso University. Since graduation Jason has earned a master’s degree in technology and is completing a ministerial

degree from Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO. Our fondest memories of HKIS are of the PEOPLE! We joined a “family” when our ministry began at HKIS in 1982! The learning and energy present when working in an open-space cluster, collaborating with a team of professionals from around the world…the cutting-edge technology expected from preschool through high school…so many available resources! We also fondly recall Cabin 13 on Lantau Peak. Michael did a lot of work on this property throughout our years at HKIS. Next...We enjoy travel and will continue to do so. Experiences that give us opportunities to be Christ’s heart, hands and feet are priorities! Reconnect with us at luschweb@gmail.com (Lou) and mchlwbr@gmail. com (Michael).

Photo taken by a pro in Shanghai when Jason, our son, visited in Fall 2009. We like these very much!

A photo of us with HKIS folks who are serving or were visiting Concordia International School Hanoi in late May. Front Row: Damean, Doris and Rebecca Rittmann, Kaylee and Sue Frerking, Lou and Michael Weber Back Row: Mary Jane and David Elliott and Pat Frerking.

HKIS Alumni

Staying Connected

If you would like to place an ad in DragonTales, please contact Alumni Relations at alumni@hkis.edu.hk.

yo ur ad go es he re

Brianna Tee Class of 2026

Kenichi Fung Class of 2026 SUMMER 2015 DRAGONTALES

55

The Last Word

Brian C. Smith

The Technology Coach for Upper Primary speaks to DragonTales about his passion for teaching technology, talking plants and the maker movement.

Tell us about yourself !

I was born and raised in Webster, New York, where I began my teaching career. I arrived at HKIS three years ago from Rochester, New York with my wife Wendy Smith, the STEM Specialist at UP, and our daughter. This is my 20th year in education.

What influences your teaching methods?

I earned my masters in math, science and technology education.

This program, which Wendy also completed, encouraged the constructivist approach to learning. It’s not just teaching facts and skills, but enabling kids to discover when and why they need them. So you can see how HKIS’s SLR involving the Self-Motivated Learning really resonated with us.

Why that SLR in particular?

If you can provide an experience that empowers a student to be self-motivated, you’ve done something. Leon Botstein, Bard College president, once said, “young people have a remarkable capacity for intensity”. If you can create an environment for children that encourages that intensity to develop, then they can be passionate about learning anything.

What is the “maker movement”?

The maker movement is related to the do-it-yourself mentality; fixing broken things, making them better, building instead of buying something. Mainly, the maker mentality helps empower the learner to develop their ability to learn how to learn and think how to think. I also like making because it highlights the relationship between the digital and physical world. This relationship is something that I believe is incredibly important for developing learners. For example, I used a microcontroller device (Arduino) to get a plant to talk to me to remind me to water it! Something like this leads to cool conversations with kids about electricity, conducting materials, and how they can program their world.

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How are you using it at HKIS? In education we’ve done a really good job at focusing on student minds, academic knowledge and the like. HKIS has done a great job in developing service-based learning experiences that encourage students to use their hearts. With the maker movement, you can integrate the head, heart and the hands to get deeper into learning and teaching; to be more creative and innovative.

For teachers, too?

Absolutely. We partnered with our Grade 4 teaching team on an integrated unit around programming and electricity which culminated in a Maker Showcase for students to share their learning with peers and teachers at UP. The exposure and growth our teachers experienced sparked conversations about teaching and learning practices and spun off new ideas for future experiences.

Where would you like to see the maker movement developing at HKIS? It could be about playing, tinkering and working on individual, self-motivated projects. I could see a “Maker Space” in every classroom. We could implement something like the MIT Media Lab’s approach to develop experiences that have an easy and welcoming entry, allow for “sky is the limit” creativity, and allow students to express themselves however they wish — through essays or poetry, computer programs, video production, performance, art installations – whatever it may be.

Staying Connected

10 WAYS

to Stay Connected to HKIS 1. Get the latest news.

Update your contact details with us at alumni@hkis.edu.hk and get the bi-weekly Alumni eNews update on reunions, school events, alumni, future issues of DragonTales, and more!

2. Follow and Like us!

!

New All

POST & TAG

FOLLOW US ON

FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/ HongKongInternationalSchool

@HKISAlumni Say Hi from your reunions and meet-ups and feature in the next issue of DragonTales!

A L U MNI

FOLLOW US ON

www.facebook.com/groups/ hkisalumni

@HKIS

STAY IN TOUCH

TWITTER

JOIN US ON

LINKEDIN in/hkisalumni

3. Attend an alumni event.

We have many to choose from! See the back cover and our Alumni eNews for more details.

4. Join a regional alumni group.

We have seven alumni groups around the world that you can join: Hong Kong, New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver Canada. Read more on pages 32-33!

5. Organize a class reunion.

We will help you organize your milestone reunion on campus. Just ask us how!

6. Contribute to DragonTales magazine.

Our newly re-launched magazine is published twice a year. Send in your Class Notes, ideas for stories, and more.

7. Hire an HKIS alum as an intern.

If your company is looking to hire a summer intern, email us to find out how to become an Internship Hosting Partner.

8. Be a speaker at HKIS. Share your knowledge, skills, and experience with our students by speaking to a class or at an assembly.

9. Attend our Annual Ball.

Join alumni, parents, faculty and staff, at our Annual Ball in the spring. All proceeds from our largest fundraising event go to our Annual Fund to help maintain our status as the leading school in the region.

Email advancement@hkis.edu.hk for more information.

10. Give back.

Be a part of the legacy of HKIS and give back. Make a donation to support our school by giving online at www.hkis.edu.hk/giving. Gifts are US and Hong Kong tax-deductible.

To find out more about how you can be involved, please get in touch! Email alumni@hkis.edu.hk or call +852 3149 7899.

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1 Red Hill Road | Tai Tam | Hong Kong | +852 3149 7820 | advancement@hkis.edu.hk

dates to remember 2015

2016

August 14 –16, 2015

June 16 –19, 2016

Class of ’85 Reunion Las Vegas

Class of ’96 Reunion Hong Kong

October 5 –12, 2015

July 9, 2016

East Coast Receptions Hosted by HKIS Chief Advancement Officer Mr. Maziar Sabet • Washington DC • New York • Boston

Class of ’06 Reunion Hong Kong

October 10, 2015 Class of ’95 Reunion New York

October 17, 2015

August 2016 – June 2017 Stay Tuned for…

50th Anniversary Celebrations Events planned in Hong Kong

Please contact Alumni Relations at alumni@hkis.edu.hk for more details.

PFO Pumpkin Festival Middle School, HKIS

December 17 –19, 2015 Homecoming Hong Kong

© Dawon Kim ’16