DragonTales Winter 2008

The HKIS Alumni Magazine

Tai Tam Field Opening

Volume 10

Winter Edition 2008 Alumni News

Class of 1998 San Francisco Reunion

Alumni Profile

Earl Westrick Celebrates his 75th Birthday

HKIS News

The New Tai Tam Field Opens

Attend Homecoming 2009 and receive a limited edition USB as your welcome gift!

Time

Activity

Location

10:00 - 4:30

Registration/ Photo Booth

HS entrance

Receive your welcome gift at registration. First 100 Alums will receive a welcoming gift. Please present photo ID to enter.

10:00 - 12:30

Campus Tour

HS entrance

Sign up at the Registration desk to review the fantastic new music rooms and science labs. Follow a student ambassador or take a self-tour with maps at the desk.

12:20 - 2:00

Barbeque Lunch next to the Field

Field Kiosk

Watch the Grade 9 soccer team practice while enjoying your barbeque lunch. Collect your free lunch ticket at registration.

2:00 - 3:20

Alumni Network Reception

HS Faculty Lounge

Join the Alumni Association and immediately tap into this important resource network. Students and alums need you!

3:20 - 4:30

Meet Your Teachers – Tent Reunion

HS Plaza

Your teachers will be thrilled to hear your stories of life after HKIS. Take snap shots with your teachers and alumni.

3:45 - 4:00

Rugby – Girls (Alumni vs. Current Team)

Field

Sign up here http://www.hkis.edu.hk/rsvp/index.php/event/join/ homecoming2009 4:10 - 5:00

Rugby – Boys (Alumni vs. Current Team)

Field

Sign up here http://www.hkis.edu.hk/rsvp/index.php/event/join/ homecoming2009 4:30 - 6:00

Alumni vs. Faculty Basketball

2009 TUesday, January 6, 2009

homecoming

HS Gym

The challenge against faculty remains formidable. Sign up here http://www.hkis.edu.hk/rsvp/index.php/event/join/ homecoming2009 6:30 - 8:00

Happy Hour Reception Join us for happy hour in Lan Kwai Fong and get a chance to win a iPhone!!! Free appetizers for all alumni, faculty and staff. Cash bar.

Stop by and mingle with fellow alumni.

Finds 2/F, Lan Kwai Fong Tower 33 Wyndham Street Central, Hong Kong

Logon to http://www.hkis.edu.hk/rsvp/index. php/event/join/homecoming2009 and fill out the registration form.

For enquiries, please email alumni@hkis.edu.hk Please be reminded that you will need a valid photo ID to enter school premises.

Volume 10 • W inter Edition 20 0 8

DragonTales is published twice a year by the Office of Institutional Advancement of Hong Kong International School.

Mark L. Sheldon Director

Contents 4

Leadership Updates

n Message from Head of School Richard W. Mueller n Introducing New Associate Head of School, DJ Condon – From Cyclone Nargis to HKIS

8

Sylvia Evans Deputy Director

Alumni News & Profiles

Connie Chan Public Relations Manager James Manning Communications & Publications Manager Loretta Fung Development Coordinator Kathy Wong Administrative Assistant

DragonTales Editors Irene Loh James Manning

n Andrew Yip ’06 n n n n n

n Earl Westrick – Life After HKIS

n Mary Hoff and Jim Handrich on the Road

Class of ’98 New York Reunion Class of ’98 Hong Kong Reunion Classes of ’88 and ’89 San Francisco Reunion Bob Christian Update David Kohl – Rekindling Friendships

24

HKIS News & Updates

Alumni Board President Kenneth Koo ’79 Vice-President Rohini Balani Chotirmal ’89 Treasurer Simon Lau ‘80 Members Lincoln Chan ’88 Justin Hardman ’99 Ken Rohrs (faculty) Joyce Yin ’89 E-Board Members David Christian ’69 Robert Dorfman ’72 David Kohl (former faculty)

Designed and printed by Impressions Design & Print Ltd

n College and Career Fair

n Maya Nelson – New LP Principal

n Rome in Sight

n Welcoming Reception for new Faculty and Administrators n Farewell to Long Serving Faculty and Staff

35

Former Faculty Updates

36

Annual Fund

n Learning, Earning and Returning n Annual Fund Frequently Asked Questions

42

Class Notes

51

Obituary

n Campus Improvements

true blue ration ball

IS celeb e 2009 HK

th

ate save the d 16 may saturday,

leadership updates

Dear Alumni,

I

would like to welcome our new Associate Head of School DJ Condon and his wife Catherine Ventura, who joined us in August from International School Yangon in Myanmar. Previously they had served at Taipei American School and other international and US schools. I also welcome Maya Nelson, who is our new Lower Primary Principal. She had been Associate Principal in Lower Primary. Prior to this Maya and her family worked at Taipei American School.

As always the campus was filled with energy and keen anticipation as the new school year began in August. We opened at capacity with 2,640 students, representing some forty different countries.

Returning students and staff noticed two new infrastructure projects had taken root over the summer break – the new Middle School building, which had shot skywards at a record pace over the summer recess, and renovation work on the Tai Tam field. Both projects are part of our Phase II Master Facilities Plan (MFP).

The new Middle School building is scheduled to open next June and will increase the number of classrooms by 15 and also provide office space allowing school-wide functions for both campuses to be consolidated into one area. To read a fuller report on the field and other infrastructure developments, see page 32 of this DragonTales.

Alumni returning for Homecoming on January 6, 2009 will have the opportunity to see a wide range of developments at HKIS, both in the educational area and recent upgrades to our campus. We have a host of other activities and events organized. Our teachers and students look forward to reconnecting with you then.

If you can’t make it back for Homecoming, but plan on visiting Hong Kong soon, please include us in your itinerary. Our Alumni Coordinator, Irene Loh (iloh@ hkis.edu.hk), is stationed in our Alumni Office in the High School. She would be delighted to assist you during your visit back to school.

HKIS alums are an integral part of both the heritage and heart of our school.

We want to maintain and strengthen school links with you wherever you are in the world. If you have new ideas on how we can improve contacts or ideas for new events and programs, please let us know by emailing alumni@hkis.edu.hk.

Our doors are always open to you.

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas season, and do keep in touch!

Sincerely,

Richard W. Mueller Head of School

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leadership updates

DJ and his wife Catherine Ventura

DragonTales spoke to HKIS’ New Associated Head of School, DJ Condon…

I

n August this year, HKIS welcomed David J. Condon as its new Associate Head of School. DJ, as he is known, joined HKIS from the International School Yangon (ISY) in Myanmar where he was Secondary School Principal.

“For me being an educator is all about growth,” he says. “Education is an organic process of intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual growth of self and others.”

Prior to ISY, DJ was at Taipei American School for eight years, holding a variety of roles including K-12 Principal for Curriculum, Research, and Program Development, and Director of Curriculum and Professional Development.

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DJ and his wife, Catherine Ventura, have three grown children. Catherine is an accomplished artist, and currently teaches art in the Middle School.

He says the transition to HKIS has been a smooth one. The transition, however, was anything but smooth for their personal belongings. “Our shipment from Myanmar was delayed for over four months, partly due to difficulties associated with the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.”

DJ, however, takes it all in his stride, saying “it’s no big deal...urban camping in your apartment is kind of fun!” Certainly delayed luggage pales into insignificance compared with the experience of Cyclone Nargis, its aftermath, and the devastating impact it had on the people and country.

The cyclone made landfall in Myanmar on May 2 causing catastrophic destruction and resulting in at least 146,000 fatalities. DJ remembers that within 24 hours everything had changed. “And all of us at ISY were forced to change as well, as we confronted the terrible intensity of the tragedy.

“Upon crawling out of our own broken homes, we discovered that Yangon now looked like a war zone. Across the city stately old trees lay toppled like fallen monuments.

The tin roofs of so many houses lay scattered about like crumpled paper.”

ISY buildings had sustained considerable damage too, though fortunately, it was not as bad as it could have been. “At least everyone in our immediate school community was safe, with no injuries reported. Though with no electricity or water and no idea when they might be restored, and with the US Embassy supporting evacuation for non-essential personnel, the decision to close out the school year early was an easy one.”

DJ says over the next few weeks it seemed that every half hour presented a myriad of tasks and all of them urgent. “First we needed to tend to the well-being of our faculty, staff and students. They needed fresh water, food and fuel. Some had their homes nearly destroyed so needed temporary shelter. And, all the time, the threat of disease loomed, so we needed to ensure those in our community updated their vaccinations.”

It was only when ISY staff got through this first round of urgent work that the school community turned its attention to more mundane issues like collecting text books, clearing out lockers and grading papers. “Amazingly, in just over a week we had taken care of all these areas, including the graduation ceremony,” he says.

DJ spent his remaining weeks of the school year in Myanmar helping with the relief effort through ISY. “Literally overnight, a core group of students and teachers organized themselves into an amateur disaster relief organization. One part of the group focused on securing desperately needed clean water and other essential supplies. Meanwhile, the other part of the group focused on securing funds to keep the operation afloat.”

DJ says the important work of these groups continues to this day, and will be needed for many months and years to come.

DJ, now into his fifth month at HKIS, says without question he sees HKIS as a community devoted to excellence. “I hope to be able to extend HKIS’ mission so that the school may further realize its potential and all students grow as individuals and community members.” n

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alumni news & profile

Former HKIS high school Counselor Vijay Sathyaraj attended the Washington Scholarship ceremony as Andrew’s mom and dad were not able to make it

L

ast month, Andrew Yip ’06 traveled from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon to Washington DC to receive his scholarship to the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. This was the latest trip in what has proven to be an epic adventure for Andrew, during which he has picked up several scholarships along the way.

for grade 12 and completed his education at the school. Prior to this Andrew had been studying at a local English Medium of Instruction School in Hong Kong.

velop his self-confidence and taught him how to work smart. He has and continues to build on this learning much to his own personal success.”

He describes studying at HKIS as “exciting.” “HKIS American–style curriculum and approach to education gave me the flexibility to select my own courses and to set my own goals.”

His first scholarship was awarded by HKIS when he was selected as the recipient of the Annual Fund Merit and Need-Based Scholarship from among 200 of his peers on the Summer Program for Gifted Talented Local Students. Andrew joined HKIS

Philip Yip, Andrew’s dad and HKIS security guard, says the HKIS scholarship started his son along the road to success.

“At HKIS he was able to build the foundations to grow and go from strength to strength. The school helped him to de-

Recognizing his potential, HKIS counselors encouraged Andrew to apply for university scholarships to US universities.

And he was successful – on graduating from HKIS, Andrew learned he had received a scholarship to Lewis and Clark College, where he has been able to further test the waters and discover what motivates and interests him academically.

Andrew (third from right) with fellow KAUST scholarship recipients

“In my first year I focused on music,” says Andrew, who is a keen organist and former Church of All Nations player. “In my second year at Lewis and Clark I changed focus from music to Economics.” Now in my third year I am shifting my focus towards Mathematics. I am also taking some courses in the Computer Science Department.”

He finds all four disciplines – music, economics, math and computer studies – similar. “Each requires careful analysis on the subject matter as well as interdisciplinary reasoning.”

Andrew is still active in playing the organ on campus and in church services at a nearby Lutheran Church. He will complete his studies at Lewis and Clark in 2010 before taking up his latest scholarship place

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at KAUST. The new University opened this year and is dedicated to inspiring scientific achievement in the Kingdom to benefit the region and the world.

work and research that really interests me, and attend academic conferences and present papers with fewer financial constraints.”

“I received the KAUST Discovery Scholarship for current undergraduate students (junior or above) in Science and Engineering related fields. The application process included an online application, essays, and an interview with the officers from the University,” says Andrew.

Philip says his son is a good example of the Annual Fund in action, and how the work the fund makes possible often lives on long after its beneficiaries leave HKIS.

He says KAUST is established upon four major interdisciplinary research centers.

“I am most interested in projects related to behavioral modeling - I love economics, Artificial Intelligence, and applied mathematics in engineering.”

Andrew is one of just 60 students in North America to receive a scholarship to KAUST. What’s more, this scholarship covers tuition and living expenses for his two remaining years at Lewis and Clark.

“This is a great relief,” says Andrew, who has been working on campus as a tutor and teaching assistant to support his living.

“Now it’s not all about money anymore.

I can focus more closely on the academic Andrew’s Dad and HKIS security guard Philip Yip

As for Andrew, he is always interested to hear about happenings at HKIS from his Dad and teachers. He is still in contact with other alums, including Will Watson and Chris Tang who also study at Lewis and Clark College.

“I am in contact with Jeremy Nelson who is at the nearby Reed College. For friends not in the region, I keep in touch with them through MSN and Facebook. It is always great to hear the latest updates on their academic progress, travels, and when they plan to visit Hong Kong,” he says.

He says he remains thankful to teachers and staff members at HKIS, “For without them and their inspirations, nothing could have happened. I also thank HKIS for caring about me so much even after my graduation.” n

New HKIS Website To mark our 42nd Anniversary, the school launched its new website this September. A year in development, our new portal aims to revolutionize our online presence. The new site will also serve as an alternative news listing area for HKIS. Check out the new site at www.hkis.edu.hk

alumni news & profile

By Ranjan Goswami ’98

T

he Class of 98 celebrated it’s 10th year reunion in Hong Kong and New York in August and October, respectively. Some 50 classmates attended the Hong Kong event and 70+ attended the New York one!

Many attendees were a part of the graduating class in 1998 and many had left HKIS years before senior year. Classmates traveled from Australia, Europe, China, Canada, and all over the US. The Hong Kong event was organized by Denise Wong and the New York event by Danielle Katzap with help from several classmates in both cities (Sarika Choithramani, Queenie Mak, Natalie Fung in Hong Kong and Mary Chen and Cathy Battenfeld in New York). Almost 300 class of ’98 classmates who were at HKIS sometime between Kindergarten and Grade 12 were found via social networks and everyone’s address books well before the events.

And, given the fun we all had, the attendees fittingly decided that the next reunion will be in five years and not 10! n

Becca Brabant, Brett Kroos, Mary Bloom (bottom), Rishi Thakkar, Tom

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Becca Brabant, Matt Castellari, Payal Rajpal, Walt Arnold

Tom, Philip Lowe

Andrea Schafer, Matt Castellari

Brett Kroos, Calvin Koo, Matt Castellari

Yosuke Fujioka, Andrea Schafer

Victor Apps, Rishi Thakkar, Ryan, Brett Kroos, Heather Tyree

Andrea Schafer, Justin Ip

Doug Sellers, Matt Castellari, Ryan

Mary Bloom, Deneese Steele Owen

Doug Sellers, Meredith Gethin-Jones, Robin Tsang, Bora lee, Brett Kroos, Adrian Lai, Rishi Thakkar, Matt Castellari, Danielle Katzap (photos), Ranjan Goswami, Lucy Battersby

Meredith Gethin-Jones, Matt Castellari

Justin Ip (far right)

Yosuke Fujioka, Matt Castellari, Andrea Schafer

Justin Ip, Nichole W, Adrian Lai, Andrea Schafer, Yosuke Fujioka

Robin Tsang, Andrea Schafer

Justin Ip, Nichole W

Ryan, Becca Brabant, Matt Castellari, Richard Gordon-Smith

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alumni news & profile

By Denise Wong ’98

I

t was a wonderful weekend and we

were delighted that so many people were able to make it. We had fellow alums travel in from California, Minnesota, Utah, Italy, Vancouver, Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing just for the reunion! Our weekend started with activities back in Tai Tam, where a small group of us were able to reacquaint ourselves with the campus and spend several hours with members from the Christian Action group and Mr. Schmidt’s Grade 9 class (thanks to Mr. Schmidt for making the arrangements).

We spent our afternoon chatting, having lunch and playing games with several dozen asylum seekers, and were truly humbled by the experience.

After we had a chance to recuperate from the afternoon activities, it was off to Lan Kwai Fong for dinner and drinks with over 40 members of the Class of ’98! We had a wonderful turnout and it was a blast having the chance to catch up with old friends (and meet new ones! We were excited to have had the chance to meet several spouses/to-be spouses!). While it was so refreshing to see that people and personalities had not changed much, it was exciting to be reminded how special our class really is! Our class now comprises lawyers, teachers, architects, bankers, accountants, entrepreneurs, engineers, designers, PR/marketing managers, and people who are revolutionizing the airline industry, to name a few. The party continued well past dinner and into the night. Thanks again to everyone who attended and made our 10year reunion incredibly memorable! We can’t wait to plan the next one! n

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Elena Beveridge, Leanne Lu, Kylie Chan, Kevin Yeh

Kitty Lee, Carolyn Choy, Kevin Yeh, Matt Castellari

Grace Pau Southergill, Bryan Southergill (Grace’s husband), Renee Tang (Adrian’s fiancee), Adrian Anwar

Front L to R: Eugene Oh, Tiffany Lee, Sylvia Kong, Denise Wong Back L to R: Kitty Lee, Kylie Chan

Mason Chenn, Elliott Choi, Fletcher Leung

Scarlet Lai, Jon Wang

Natalie Fung, Robert Hsiung, Ranjan Goswami

Denise Wong, Natalie Fung, Queenie Mak, Sarika Choithramani Sidhu

Olivia Lee, Gillian Leung, Shirley Fung, Jessica Kong, Jolli Lo

Wilson Siu, Stephen Tsang, Jason Shum, Fletcher Leung, Lawrence Lau, Elliott Choi, Norton Fung

Mark Sheldon, Shamala Carlson, Ranjan Goswami, Carolyn Choy, Sarika Choithramani Sidhu, Matt Castellari, Elena Beveridge

Robert Hsiung, Derrick Chan, Pat Kan, Kylie Chan, Leanne Lu, Mason Chenn, Suraj Nagrani, Natalie Fung

Jessica Kong, Jolli Lo, Michelle Lai

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alumni news & profile

By Angela Stich Easterwood ’89

O

ver the weekend of August 8, several alumni from the classes of 1988 and 1989 gathered to celebrate their 20th reunion in San Francisco. Alumni from other classes joined us as well, to relive old memories, view a slide show of the “good old days” and toast our time in Hong Kong. The weekend started with a happy hour gathering on Friday night at a bar in downtown San Francisco, followed by the Reunion Party on Saturday night at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.

Several of us stayed up late catching up, sharing stories about families, and grabbing one last drink! On Sunday, we gathered for Dim Sum and to bid each other farewell, promising to keep in touch until our next reunion. Pictures of the weekend were posted on to the HKIS Classes of ’88 and ’89 group site on Facebook. All alumni can join the group, so check out the website if you can! n

Kim Kaiser, Jennifer Fresco, Christine Hanchett, Rohini Balani Chotirmal, Hui Chu Mou, Jennifer Rowell Galdabini – all Class of ’89

Melissa Longley, Debby Tuck, Karin Ramstad, Ashley Peck Van Wormer

Jonh Watt, Melissa Longley, Leon Kuan, Scott Cooke, Pete Movizzo, Molly Giss Wadhwani, Debby Tuck, Amy Kirschke, Christine Overholt Dunn

Karen Lee Wright, Patricia Chen Sadayasu, Rohini Balani Chotirmal

Tania Hickson Phillips, Julie Noetlich Carlson

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Leon Kuan, Scott Cooke, Chih We Mou, Trevor Wright, Jay Thompson

Rohini Balani Chotirmal, Lilli Herrera – Class of ’89

Pete Movizzo, Stella Chen Reid, John Watt

Molly Giss Wadhwani, Amy Kirschke, Debby Tuck, Christine Overholt Dunn

Karen Lee Wright, Anjali Bedi

Uly Hui, Patricia Chen, Trevor Wright, Karen Lee Wright

Kim Kaiser, Jennifer Fresco, Christine Hanchett, Rohini Balani Chotirmal, Hui Chu Mou, Jennifer Rowell Galdabini – all Class of ’89

Melissa Longley, Scott Cooke, Debby Tuck, Karen Lee Wright, Leon Kuan, Patricia Chen, Kerry Ford

Angela Stich Easterwood, Anjali Bedi, Rita Arifin – Class of ’89

Debby Tuck ’88, Melissa Longley ’88, Angela Stich Easterwood ’89, Kerry Ford ’89

Anjali Bedi ’89, Melissa Longley ’88, Debby Tuck ’88

Melissa Longley ’88, Kerry Ford ’89, Sandra Lauterbach ’89, Angela Stich Easterwood ’89, Debby Tuck ’88

Eveline Chang ’89, Andrew Arenson ’88, Bill Erisman ’89 and wife Lisa

Michael Thompson, Eric Sun, Jessica Fresco – Class of ’89

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alumni news & profile

By Sylvia Evans

Earl Westrick describes his 26 years at HKIS as “the most transformative experience” of his career. DragonTales finds out more…

S

erving at HKIS for 26

years was the most transformative experience (personally, spiritually, and professionally) of my career in education.

HKIS offered opportunity, growth, and nurture which stimulated the transformative life. In my view this was evidence of God’s abundant grace – beyond my prayers.

Acceptance was the “magic” of HKIS. There were nine in At a family celebration our family, plus one German Shepherd. Wife Marge, the seven kids, and and team development, parenting courses, even the dog, thrived on the welcoming community drug education, deputy headmaster, teacher recruitment, managing the acceptance of the HKIS community. building of the Tai Tam High School and When we arrived in 1971, HKIS was four Middle School, Head of School. years old. I left in 1997. Seven offspring graduated from HKIS, attended U.S. uni- The above brief history provides context versities, Marge served eleven years as for describing my life after HKIS. Leaving school nurse, she died in 1987. As an “am- HKIS was a wrenching experience. putee”, HKIS continued to accept me and For several months, the most recurrent encouraged my healing. emotion was being lonely. I missed the HKIS gave me many and varied profes- vibrant community of students, faculty sional opportunities: high school principal, and staff, parents, and Chinese friends. counselor (student, faculty, marriage), staff All those precious relationships were di16 DragonTales

minished. But the HKIS “tapestry”, woven of many religions, nationalities, and cultures, continued to give warmth and meaning to my life. Amidst all of HKIS’ diversities, the warp and woof of the tapestry was Christ’s presence.

Understanding reverse culture shock helped me move on in my new life. A new house to make into a home, connecting with family and friends, finding a church, and, in short, planting myself in new soil became my priorities.

Professionally, I served as an interim principal in a Bend, OR school, facilitated workshops, did some counseling when requested, served on a church council and several committees. I’m still active in some of these areas, but less frequently. I still believe that life is to be spent for others.

However, aging has lessened my living out this belief.

My personal life is full and varied. Most important are family relationships. There are twenty-nine of us in the immediate family – many baptisms, birthdays, school

Rebecca (Westrick) Miller and Christine (Westrick) Witt

programs, sports events, graduations, a granddaughter’s wedding, whole-family events, and many “subsets”. I’ve driven across the country several times to visit family and friends.

One of my many blessings living in Sunriver, is that several couples here are close friends from Hong Kong. We have good times.

Five Westrick brothers: Paul, David, Ken, Gregg and Brad

way to a knee pre-op appointment, I fell and broke a hip. Several hours later, surgery was completed. Healing has been fast and strong and I’m scheduled for knee surgery in January. Care and love from family and friends have been beyond measure.

So, yes, there is life after HKIS. And while

scrolling through the old memories is frequent and nurturing, it’s blending them with my life now that gives clarity and purpose to my identity.

Earl is happy to receive emails from former students, faculty and staff at earlwestrick@chamberscable.com. n

Earl (far right) celebrates his 75th Birthday with his children

Some of my personal interests are reading broadly; gardening (a challenge in Central Oregon); cooking; following politics; social, educational and foreign policy issues; and pottery. While I have a pottery studio, my skill level and creativity are quite low.

But clay’s lesson for life is important, keep your clay moist. “If it becomes too dry, it turns to dust and blows away. If too wet it becomes a slurry and flows away.”

During most of my retirement years, I’ve participated in a men’s study group, Men in Ministry. We study many topics, many provocative books. Our purpose is to grow in our spirituality and translate the growth into the many possibilities for ministry.

Squash was my favorite participatory sport when I lived in Hong Kong. A torn meniscus and subsequent surgery was prelude to an arthritic and dysfunctional knee. On my

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alumni news & profile

Mary Hoff and Jim Handrich traveled throughout the west of America for three weeks earlier in the year, and stopped off and treated former HKIS colleagues to dinner and had a mini-reunion of sorts. Here are some pictures from their travels and the alums they met along the way.

Above: Jim and Bijoy Goswami ’91 – Bijoy now consults/writes Above left: Jim with Brad ’85, Caroline and Paul Tuchardt – Caroline was HKIS registrar and Paul was pastor at Church of All Nations for many years Left: Michael ’93 and Sara Elliott, with Jim and Mary

18 DragonTales

Jim at Rosie and Pedro Wakefields for dinner

Jim Handrich and Suzy Stege at the Eastside Cafe in Austin – Suzy was a counselor at HKIS

Suzy and Tom Stege with Sarah Todd – Tom taught science and Sarah taught humanities at HKIS

Jan Westward Ho with Mary Hoff – Jan was teacher and head of gifted education at HKIS

Bob and Martha Welch with their best friend Cody – Bob was HKIS MS Principal

Carole and Alan Fedderson – Alan was HKIS MS Principal and Carole taught Grade 5

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alumni news & profile

Jane and Mel Kieschnick in Carlsbad, CA – Mel was one of the founders of HKIS

Robin Tsang ’98 and Jim – Robin now has his PhD in electrical engineering

James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment The James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment Fund was established in June 2007 by HKIS and alumni Desmond Chu ’91 and Kenneth Koo ’79 in honor of Associate Head of School James (Jim) A. Handrich, who retired in July 2007. Over his 24 years with HKIS, Jim served as the Elementary School Principal, High School Principal, Interim-Head of School and Associate Head of School.

The purpose of this Endowment is to help further the school’s Mission Statement and Student Learning Results, specifically the SLRs of “Self Motivated Learning” and “Contributing to Society”.

Lynne and Bill Driskill – Bill was athletic director at HKIS and Lynne taught elementary PE

This was the first year the endowment was active in terms of supporting student service learning projects. The following three groups of seniors were awarded funds from the endowment for their senior projects.

Group 1: Charmaine Kwan, Dominic

Wu and Joanne Lam Project: documentary regarding poverty and social injustice in Cambodia.

Vijay and Asha Sathyaraj at dinner in Portland Oregon – Asha taught in elementary school and Vijay high school Some Stanley memorabilia found its way back to the States!

Group 2: Cara Isley, Eleanor Gartner,

Kristin Mui and Abigail Cunningham Project: documentary regarding the volunteer experience in Kolkata, India.

Group 3: Fiona Chui, Sherry Siu and

Eunice Chow Project: fundraise to help build a water project in Yunan, China (partnering with Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation).

20

James A. Handrich Service Leadership Endowment Lead Donors: Desmond ’91 & Elizabeth Chu Kenneth ’79 & Helen Koo (parents Emily ’06, Edward ’08, Ellen Gr.9) David & Alice Cheng (parents Gilbert ’07, Gerald Gr.12) Teddy ’92 & Jeffrey ’96 Fong Mark Kwok ’74 (parent Gareth ’00, Robyn ’04) Jim Handrich Leanne Lu ’98 Moses & Angela Tsang (parents Alexis ’00, Brietta ’04) Kenneth & Linda Wang (parents Jeffrey ’03, Jeremy ’03) Peter & Daisy Wang (parents Vanessa Gr.9) The K.H. Koo Charitable Foundation Haitao & Hongwei Zhang (parents Dora Gr. 9)

B

ob Christian and his wife Arleen returned with their family to the U.S. in 1977 and settled in Seattle, Washington.

Here Bob spent the next 17 years opening and operating Seattle Lutheran High School - a school of 190 students which continues to this day. “To open this school we purchased a vacant high school building which formerly had been a Roman Catholic girls’ school,” says Bob. “Interestingly enough, Arleen taught a kindergarten class in this building, using one of the high school classrooms.

The kindergarten was for Hope Lutheran School, which was just a block away from the high school building. We were there for 17 years before we retired in 1994.”

Lutheran High School, which is now fully functioning in great new facilities on a 30 acre site.

“For the last 15 years, Arleen and I have also been busy at our church - the Hope Lutheran, where Arleen is in the choir and working with the activities of ‘The Women of Hope’ group. At the church, I’ve been leading the Stephen Ministry where we train individuals for care-giving. I also teach youth confirmation classes at the church and adult classes called Spiritual Inquiry.”

All five of Bob and Arleen’s children

are married. They, along with their nine grandchildren live within 250 miles of Bob’s Seattle home. “We spend as much time as possible with them, often watching the grandchildren compete in various sports. We are also able to enjoy some of their musical events as a number of them play instruments.”

Bob says Seattle has excellent Chinese restaurants, which he takes full advantage of – especially when family members are in town. He also likes to take pictures, and has about 60 photo albums. He says these include many photos from his trip back to

Retirement, however, was never really realized. Bob actually spent the next 10 years commuting 35 miles south to Tacoma, Washington where he undertook the groundwork for opening Mount Rainier

Arleen and Bob at dim sum

The Christian family – children and grandchildren – taken after Bob’s twin grandchildren graduated from high school in June 2008

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alumni news & profile

HKIS for the 40th Reunion in the summer of 2007 and subsequent China visit.

“Since four of our five children were with us on this trip, including our six year old red-haired grandchild Keeli, and her father and mother, the Hong Kong-China pictures are viewed frequently. It was an unforgettable experience, filled with memories of our life and work at HKIS. The past 30 years too have been meaningful years in Christian ministry, in which I have had many flashbacks, often amplified with the memories of Hong Kong and HKIS. n

Rittmann family: Sarah, Stephanie, Mark, Rebecca and (front row) Hazel and Damean

Doris with son Mark

Doris with eldest daughter Stephanie and youngest daughter Rebecca

At the wedding of Sarah Rittmann and Clinton Smith. They were married at a civil ceremony in Portland, Oregon and asked Bob to conduct a religious ceremony for the family at Doris Rittmann’s summer home on Camano Island near Seattle

The Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award You are invited to nominate a member of the community for the Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award 2009.

Please send in your nominations and a brief explanation, before February 1, 2009 to: HKIS Alumni Office alumni@hkis.edu.hk

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The Award will be presented once during the academic school year, either at graduation as the Award recipient welcomes the new class of alumni, or another appropriate occasion. It will be presented to an HKIS alumnus or alumna whose contribution to the HKIS community and/or the larger Hong Kong community or the world exemplifies our Mission and/or one or more of our Student Learning Results (SLRs). u Academic Excellence

u Self-motivated Learning

u Spirituality

u Contributing to Society

u Character Development

u Chinese Culture

F

ormer HKIS art teacher David Kohl writes to us on his 8000-mile epic journey to reconnect with over a hundred former HKIS students and colleagues.

It’s hard to imagine a more rewarding experience for a teacher than to meet up with successful former students. In most disciplines, professionals work with people in need (doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc) but rarely get the joy seeing the positive benefits of their involvement. Last January, it was my good fortune to meet up with over a hundred former HKIS students and colleagues, in 13 cities, over an 8000-mile journey via Amtrak.

Not wanting to spend all of my winter feeding my woodstove in Oregon, I decided to book a 30-day rail journey, utilizing Amtrak’s “North American Rail Pass.”

I thought it might be fun to ride the rails, visit and stay with friends and alumni, and even promote the “DragonTaels” book of alumni memories which I had compiled for the 40th Anniversary. Via e-mail and the DragonTrain, helpful alumni and I set up gatherings in Minneapolis, Chicago, Buffalo, New York City, Boston, Portland (ME), Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Washington DC, St. Louis, Dallas, Austin, and Los Angeles.

I was rewarded with some wonderful mealtime meetings, overnight visits and discovering local museums and Chinatowns - while laughing, reminiscing, networking, and celebrating both Hong Kong International School, and the Christian spirit which so contributed to our mutual caring for each other over the years.

I also found that there is little distinction between faculty and students - we are all just alumni of a remarkable and life-altering experience at HKIS. Sometimes, there were alumni who I had never taught or even met, from classes as early as 1968 and as recent as 2003. No matter the age, we found instant connections thru the Hong Kong experience, discovering overlaps of career, education, travels, or family.

Conversations sounded like: “Did you know…

“He was my brother’s best friend…

“She was my roomate at…

“I went there too…

“Wasn’t she the one who…

“I remember Mr… He used to…

“Whatever happened to…

“I didn’t know her, but we lived in their flat years later…

“The assignments Mrs… gave us made such a difference when I got to college…

“We were on the same Interim trip…

“Remember the time when…

I also had some fairly unique adventures on this wintertime trip - leaving Minneapolis in -15 degree weather; watching Pat Hotung play hockey in Buffalo; getting a tour and research time in the stacks at the Library of Congress with Ann Sullivan; arriving just in time to watch the Super Bowl with friends of Patrick Pang in Philadelphia; exploring coastal Maine with Ian Geopfert; being put up in the executive suite of Gregg Saunders’ hotel in Austin; attending church in St. Louis with many friends and alumni hearing Libby Wallis Reinking preach (followed by dim sum for 25); digging thru church archives with Lois and Fritz Voelts plus Karl and LaVerne Boehmke; mobbing an Los Angeles chinatown restaurant with 32 alumni for dim sum. Is it possible to have too much dim sum? (you all know the answer to this one!)

Be assured, wherever two or more HKIS alumni gather, a good time will be had by all. I encourage you to reach out, find alumni in your geographic area, set up a gathering. The energy and spirit is one of our special heritage as HKIS alums. n

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23

HKIS news & updates

This year’s HKIS Alumni College & Career Fair took place on October 9, 2008 in the High School Cafeteria in Tai Tam. Our event organizer, Ms. Lauren Fines, gathered alums from about 30 Universities and Colleges to talk to high school students (and some parents) about their institutions and career opportunities.

As in previous years, HKIS alumni turned out in force to represent their Universities and Colleges.

A special thanks to our alums who joined us that night, including Lincoln Chan ’88, Kenneth Koo ’79 (Shipping & Marine industry), Thomas Wong ’78 (Pre-Med), Ingrid Wong ’92 (Recruitment industry), Sung Yup Chang ’83 (Legal Profession) and Simon Lau ’80 (IT industry).

Lincoln Chan ’88 represented Boston University

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Alumni Association President Ken Koo ’79 represented the Shipping Industry and the University of San Diego

High School Counselor Adam Goad represented Loyola University, Chicago

Office of Institutional Advancement Director Mark Sheldon represented Illinois Wesleyan University

Ingrid Wong ’92 represented the Recruitment Industry and Boston College

Sung Yup Chang ’83 represented the Legal Profession and Claremont McKenna College

Dr. Thomas Wong ’78 represented the Medical Profession and College of William and Mary

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HKIS news & updates

W

hat good fortune I have to be able to work in a great school in a fabulous city! As an international educator and a “third culture kid” or “global nomad,” the international school scene is something that is certainly in my blood. I was fortunate to grow up in Japan, England, Germany and Indonesia.

My father worked in the trade business and because of his job we moved around the world and attended international schools. I grew up speaking a variety of languages, but have not retained all of them. I speak English, German and Indonesian today. I graduated from the Jakarta International School in the mid-70s and subsequently went to the United States to receive my degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education.

After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, I taught in the US before embarking on another overseas adventure. I moved to Jakarta, Indonesia and taught at the Jakarta International School.

After two years there, I moved to Tokyo and worked at the American School in Japan for five years. In 1988, I married my husband and I moved back to Denver, Colorado in 1991 where I taught in the Cherry Creek

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School District. In 1995 we returned overseas to start our tour in Taipei, Taiwan. We lived in Taipei for 12 years and I was the Student Support Services Director at the Taipei American School. During my time in Taipei, I completed a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.

I am blessed to have two amazing children, Hanna and Max. Both of my children were born in Taipei and so they, too, are continuing the tradition of growing up “overseas.” Hanna is eight and in the third grade and Max is five and in R2. My husband, Mike, has a background in both business and education. He currently works in the high school. As a family, we now consider Wisconsin our US based home and return to Wittenberg, a very small town in the middle of the state each summer. We arrived in Hong Kong in August of 2007 when I started my job as the Associate Principal in the Lower Primary.

We are all so fortunate to be part of a school community that is known throughout the international school arena for its commitment to students, excellence in education, and service to others. As Lower Primary Principal, I am honored to serve the HKIS community. n

HKIS Swimmers have a good chance of qualifying for the 2009 World Championships in Rome

I

n July 2009, Rome hosts the FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) world championships and welcomes some of the world’s best water sportsmen and women. Some 2,500 athletes from 170 nations are expected to take part, and organizers expect some 400,000 spectators during the course of the 16 days of competition. Two of these athletes could be HKIS’ very own. Grade 12 students Kelly Robinson and Andres Tung have made the Hong Kong qualification time standard for World Championships in Rome.

This summer Kelly raced at the USA Junior National Championships and won the B Final in a time that not only places her

5th fastest in the US and qualifies her for World Championships, it also made the Olympic qualifying standard that was set for April’s Olympic Trials. She says she is thrilled to have made the qualifying time, and is also confident she can better it. “I think there is still more in me yet. I have the commitment, dedication and self-belief to reach a higher level.”

Kelly has been swimming competitively for the past ten years. Her exercise regime includes a grueling eight swim sessions and six gym sessions a week. Does she ever tire of such a stringent training routine?

“Yes I do. I have a love-hate relationship with swimming, but love holds sway at the end of the day.”

Andres Tung raced to his World championship qualifying time in the 100 meter Freestyle at the Hong Kong Olympic Trials in April with a time 52.46 seconds. Andres currently trains for two hours a day, six days a week, and like Kelly has been swimming seriously since he was just eight years old. My swimming goal is to compete in 2012 Olympics in London,” he says.

However, he also concedes that academics will probably take precedence. He plans to study at either Harvard or Princeton.

Both swimmers will be looking to further their chances of selection over the coming season with faster swims. Team selection will be made in March 2009. HKIS wishes them the best of luck! n

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HKIS news & updates

James Manning, Mark Sheldon, Justin Hardman, Alan Beaufoy

This year’s welcome reception happy hour was held on October 15, 2008 at Stormies Lan Kwai Fong. New Faculty members were greeted by Ken Koo ’79 President of Alumni Association along with Richard & Claire Mueller.

Special thanks to Ken Koo who offered first rounds to everyone. Alums who dropped by included Alvin Lee ’78, Lyman Doyle ’93, Joyce Yin ’89, Tom Warden ’79, Simon Lau ’80 and Justin Hardman ’99.

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Simon Lau and Upper Primary Principal Bruce Kelsh

Sharon Vipond with Cory Anderson, Student Teacher

Simon Lau, Connie Chan Hui, Richard Mueller and Sandra Walters, Ex Faculty member

Justin Hardman with Adam Goad, HS Counselor

Alvin Lee and Tom Warden chatting with new faculty member Kathryn Bechodolt

Tom Warden and Lyman Doyle

Ken Koo and Claire Mueller

Mark Sheldon and Kathryn Bechodolt

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HKIS news & updates

Karen and Jerry Markin served HKIS for 10 years

This year we said farewell to many dedicated individuals who served ten or more years with the school.

On behalf of everyone in our community, HKIS thanks them for their service and wishes them well in the their future endeavors.

Lower Primary Faye Butcher, Senior Library Assistant October 1966 to June 2008

Tammy Hui, Mandarin Teacher August 1976 to July 2008

Middle School Jan Christianson, Middle School Teacher November 1991 to June 2008

Christine Manville, Teacher Assistant August 1993 to July 2008

Jerry Markin, Grade 7 Teacher August 1996 to July 2008

Karen Markin, Religion Teacher August 1996 to July 2006

Young Ng, Fine Arts Teacher August 1993 to July 2008

High School Adrian Price, Science Teacher August 1997 to July 2008 Teacher Assistant Christine Manville (right) with the Middle School’s AV Technician Ricky Lai

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Annette Fang, Special Needs Teacher August 1997 to July 2008

Principals Madeleine Heide Lower Primary Principal July 2000 to July 2008

Wil Chan Middle School Principal August 1998 to July 2008

Madeleine Heide will join the American School of Bombay as Assistant Superintendent; Wil Chan will join the Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School as Principal.

HKIS thanks Madeleine and Wil for their years of dedication and service to HKIS. They have led their divisions with a positive energy that has benefitted students, faculty, staff and the school. Their good work and legacies will live on.

In their own words: “I have loved my time here, I have loved all the stories, all the people, all the hardship, all the joy. Knowing you has enriched my life immensely. Thank you and God bless you all.”

Faye Butcher being congratulated by her husband on 40 years of service to HKIS at the Chinese New Year staff party in 2007

Last but not least, congratulations to Faye Butcher who retired from HKIS in June. Faye Joined HKIS in October 1966, just a month after the school opened. At the 2007 All-School Chinese New Year Assembly, Faye was presented with an HKIS Medallion in recognition of her commitment and service to the school.

Madeleine Heide, June 2008 “My work with students over the past ten years has significantly changed my life in ways that I could never have imagined. Everything from the simple greetings in the morning to the kids presenting me with a “you’re the man, Dr. Chan” banner have touched me and notched another link in the connections I have with this community.”

Wil Chan, June 2008

Schoolwide Francis Thong, Director of Education Services Department

Lai Fong Lee, Cleaner

Pui Cheung Chan, Cleaner

Fung Po Nip, Electrician

Mary Kwan, Executive Secretary

Siu Mui Keung, Cleaner

August 1997 to July 2008

September 1996 to July 2008

July 1992 to July 2008

March 1990 to July 2008

July 1992 to July 2008

October 1989 to July 2008

Jenny Spencer, Human Resource Coordinator November 1990 to September 2007

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HKIS news & updates

Campus improvements and upgrades have been moving forward at breakneck speed at HKIS. These form part of the HKIS Strategic Plan to ensure our educational goals are met. Over the last year or so, expansion work in the Middle School and High School was completed as part of the Master Facilities Plan Phase I. This work included the renovation of science labs, language classrooms, oďŹƒces and music spaces.

Work also started on the construction of a new Middle School building, which is scheduled for completion in May 2009.

This will increase the number of classrooms in the Middle School by 15 and provide oďŹƒce space enabling school wide functions for both campuses to be consolidated into one area.

This consolidation will free space at the Lower Primary School for student related activities as administrative departments relocate to the new Middle School building.

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New Tai Tam Sports Field The biggest undertaking over the last year has been renovation work on the sports field complex at Tai Tam. As many alums might recall, HKIS used to lose many activity days each year because the playing surface was out of action for maintenance. Last school year, this amounted to an estimated 100 days’ lost usage of the Tai Tam field. The story had been a similar one each year since the High School first moved to Tai Tam from the Repulse Bay campus in 1988.

“The field lacked proper drainage. This meant each time Tai Tam experienced a down-pour water would collect on the field’s surface denigrating the condition of the field, often to the point where it was rendered unusable for weeks at a time.

This negatively impacted on HKIS’ program of sports activities. There were years the school even had to cancel some major inter-school competitions,” says HKIS’ Director of Facilities Management Pat Hall.

In March this year, the green light was given by the HKIS Board of Managers to

proceed with the Tai Tam sports field upgrades over the 2008 summer recess. Work commenced in early June and progress was good. An opening date was scheduled for early November.

“The time-consuming part was preparing the ground before the laying of the artificial grass carpets – the construction of the sub-base, drainage and irrigation systems,” says Pat. The opening ceremony for the new field took place for students on Friday, November 7. All Middle and High School students participated in the ceremony, which began with the first baseball pitch thrown

by Head of School Richard W. Mueller.

High School Principal Pat Klekamp kicked the first soccer ball into the net, and Middle School Principal Linda Anderson made the first rugby pass.

Next, some of the athletes from the teams that will use and benefit from the new facility participated in a run-in across the field, releasing balloons into the air as they ran on their way.

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HKIS news & updates

Pat Hall, HKIS’ Director of Facilities Management

High School Principal Pat Klekamp scores a first goal!

Interim Middle School Principal Linda Anderson

Photographs by Kathy Wong

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Above: The Hong Kong Dancers perform

During the ceremony, Head of School Richard W. Mueller thanked everyone who had worked so hard to make the field project a reality. He especially thanked our two major field donors, the HKIS Parent Faculty Organization and parent Clifford Chiu.

Pat Hall says value-added features of the new field are many. These include an all weather playing surface, changing rooms and food kiosk. Audio and video capabilities and an electronic scoreboard will support field events, and floodlights will accommodate evening play.

He commented that 25 years ago when HKIS was about to build the high school, the government offered to lease HKIS the piece of land which is now the Tai Tam field. “Then it was full of rocks and bushes and trees; it was difficult to imagine that it could be a playing surface for sports and activities. But the field served us for 20 years, and now with the latest generation artificial surface installed, it is one of the best playing surfaces in Hong Kong, perhaps in all of Asia.”

“These, along with the installed sports equipment, will be operated by the school from the Tai Tam Field Staff Office, which will also have first aid facilities. The running track around the edge of the field is for both pedestrians and runners. Other amenities include a picnic and seating area for field users located close to the High School stepped entrance to the field.

The Hong Kong Dancers were on hand to provide a little panache to the festivities.

Middle School House Cheers served to uplift spirits even further, and were conveniently followed by the high school senate presentation on Spirit Week.

Alums returning for the Reunion in January will have the opportunity to tour the new facilities at HKIS, including the field.

The field upgrades are now directly benefiting our students as they prepare for inter-school competitions. The new facility will also enable HKIS to be a better host of regional sporting competitions supporting our membership in the Asia Pacific Activities Conference. n

former faculty updates

Sue Shaw

Regina (Reggie) Smith

A

I

Ex Faculty

fter we returned to California, my husband Colin and I spent the best part of two years supervising the remodel of our home in Fremont CA. We have finally moved in to 1752 Via Sombrio, Fremont CA 94539

Chuck Dull

F

ormer Head of School (1997-2001) Chuck Dull visited HKIS in November. He is pictured here with the Director of the Office of Institutional Advancement Mark Sheldon I volunteer at a Crisis Pregnancy Center, and have been a visitor in a program through our city which aims to give companionship to lonely and home bound people. I am involved at my church in Bible Study and with the Community Service Team. I also assist with Women’s Breakfasts. Annually, I reunite with Lois Branstrator, Mary Hoff and Lilly Mainland, (former faculty) and am in touch with many other Hong Kong friends by email and telephone. We enjoyed a brief but wonderful visit with Mary Hoff and Jim Handrich a few weeks ago.

Colin and I are fortunate to have our daughter Lisa, (class of 97) and her husband Tim living a short distance away. Spending time with them on a regular basis, often having dinner or lunch together, is a favorite pastime. Lisa is a chiropractor and I avail myself of her services on a regular basis!

I enjoy attending concerts, entertaining, decorating, reading and spending time with friends, old and new. After 20+ years in Asia, I am relieved to find that there is a good life for me beyond Hong Kong!

We have been truly blessed and are thankful for these blessings. We are located about an hour south east of San Francisco airport and would love to see those of you who know us if you are in the area.

Ex Faculty

taught in the primary school three separate times, 1985-86, 1990-91, and 1993-95.

I have been retired from teaching for 13 years. We have just left southeast Asia after 23 years, having lived in Hong Kong four times, Singapore twice and the Philippines twice. My husband, Mike, is now retired also, and we have settled in New Jersey.

Our two sons, Daniel James and Timothy Robert Smith attended HKIS 198586 (Singapore American School [SAS] in 1989). Dan came back to HKIS in 1990-91, and graduated SAS in 1993.

Mike and I are the proud grandparents of four wonderful kids. Tim lives in Florida now and has a boy and a girl; Dan lives in London and has two British princesses.

With former student, Jenny Stevenson (Grade 3 in 1985). She and I met at Rugby 7s time in Hong Kong this year

Life is good. We hope to spend three months in Florida this winter and we know several former faculty of HKIS can be found around the state, so we plan to visit them!

I would love to hear from former students (and faculty, of course).

Regina B. Smith 2350 Asbury Ave. Ocean City, NJ 08226 609-398-2821

sue467@gmail.com

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annual fund

HKIS Parent and Annual Fund Cabinet Co-Chair Clifford Chiu talks about the Annual Fund and what motivates him to volunteer

Clifford Chiu with his daughter Abigail, Grade 5, and son Harrison, Grade 2

“T

o call me ‘busy’ is an understatement,” says Clifford Chiu, HKIS parent and Co-Chair of the HKIS Annual Fund. “But from my experience the busiest people find the time and get whatever it is done.” For the past four years, Clifford has given his time to lead the HKIS Annual Fund Campaign as Chair or Co-Chair. Clifford’s fellow Co-Chairs this year are parents Julie Fried, Glenn Jordan and Paul Pasin. Going into this campaign, the Annual Fund has raised over HK$28 million for students over this period.

Established in 1999 to support those aspects of the school’s program that would not be possible on tuition income alone, the Fund has had a positive impact on almost every HKIS student, whether through participation in arts, sports or cultural activities, or through an enhanced classroom experience.

Originally introduced to volunteer on the Annual Fund by long-time friends, Chip and Jacque Connor, Clifford says that he supports the Annual Fund because he believes in the HKIS Mission Statement and Student Learning Results (SLRs). “They are the big picture. Every dollar that is donated to the Fund is top-up and goes to complement academic and extra-curricular activities for today’s students attending HKIS in support of the SLRs. “Our tuition covers the basic education which tracks well with international and US private schools,” he says. “But the Annual Fund helps HKIS students receive tangible extras – over the past two years, we supported the state-of-the-art science labs

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and launched a summer internship program for rising seniors who would not otherwise have had an opportunity to work in a real business setting before applying to college.”

Clifford says that this year’s campaign (“Our Mission” theme) is about acknowledging the SLRs and increasing the participation level of all stakeholders – parents, alumni, faculty and staff and students (through their time, talent and treasures).

“We hope that all members of our community can find something within the SLRs that captures their interest and support.”

To this end, a new HK$1.5 million matching fund was created and funded this year to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Annual Fund and encourage participation.

“The matching fund is for first-time Annual Fund donors and for those who will give at a higher level than last year. The “Friends of HKIS” will match new donors dollar-for-dollar, as well as incremental new dollars from existing donors up to a total HK$1.5 million.

“It is essential that we raise an additional HK$1.5 million under these two categories in order to take advantage of this amount,” says Clifford. “This matching fund applies to this 2008-’09 school year only. It can’t be carried over to next year.”

A native New Yorker who relocated to Asia, first in Tokyo twelve years ago, with his wife Leigh and a newborn, Spencer, Clifford credits his father, C.C. Chiu for teaching the family the value of community service. ”He taught me the importance of ‘learning, earning and returning’. You either focus on it in thirds of one’s life or as a life continuum.”

I lead my life following this philosophy, with Leigh and the kids as top priority” he says. A Director at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) in Hong Kong, where he leads Asian capital markets and fundraising, Clifford works closely with central banks, sovereign wealth funds, government and corporate pensions, and financial institutions from around the region.

“I always know that Clifford will be in touch on HKIS issues and is accessible wherever his business travels take him, 24/7”, observes Mark Sheldon, HKIS’ Director of Office of Institutional Advancement. “You hear from him in Seoul or New York, then see him the next day in Hong Kong at his sons’ cross country meet or soccer game, or his daughter’s weekend tennis match.”

What with his work, charitable endeavors and family responsibilities, we agree with Clifford, he is more than busy… and effective! n

Support the Alumni Scholarship in Memory of David F. Rittmann In honor of the unique legacy David Rittmann left to our school, HKIS named a new Alumni Scholarship in his Memory: The Alumni Scholarship in Memory of David F. Rittmann.

The scholarship will go to a local student from Hong Kong chosen from our High Achievers Program or English Language Leadership Program.

Through this scholarship, the memory of David will literally live on in the recipient. What better tribute to David, who spent a full life serving the Lord and making a difference in the lives of so many students?

The Scholarship is open for donations. To direct a gift, you may do so at https://www.paydollar. com/b2c2/project/hkis/payInfo.jsp. Please select Alumni Scholarship in Memory of David F. Rittmann where it states “please direct my gift to”.

Annual Report and Report of Giving 2007-08 To learn more about the Annual Fund, review our Annual Report and Report of Giving online at www.hkis.edu.hk

annual fund

Spirituality – respect for Christianity and other religions

Q: What is the HKIS Annual Fund?

A: The HKIS Annual Fund is the school’s

annual fundraising initiative. Approximately 80 per-cent of the dollars raised through the Annual Fund enhance the school’s current-year operating budget, which includes supporting and enhancing various academic and extra-curricular programs and activities, maintaining and equipping state-of-the-art infrastructure, and retaining and attracting the best teachers. The Annual Fund supports various programs that would not be possible on tuition income alone. The remaining 20 per-cent of the Annual Fund is allocated to the school’s endowment fund.

Q: Why does HKIS ask for donations?

A: HKIS is a non-profit school that fol-

lows a traditional United States independent school model of setting tuition at less than the full educational cost and bridging the difference through donations to the school. Tuition income, donations, and application fees make up the yearly academic operating income. However, the income does not completely cover expenses of the academic operation (e.g. employee compensation, educational materials, student supplies). Donations not only

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Chinese Culture

help bridge the difference, but also help provide extra and enhanced programs that would not be possible on tuition income alone. Donations support excellence in academic and extra-curricular activities that have become the hallmark of an HKIS education.

Q: How does HKIS spend its academic operations income each year?

A: Similar to other independent schools,

approximately 75 to 80 per-cent of academic operations income go towards salaries, benefits and accommodations for our faculty and staff. The remaining 20 to 25 per-cent goes towards educational materials, supplies, utilities, facilities maintenance, and other items. However, as noted above, income from the academic operation (e.g. tuition) does not cover the full cost of education at HKIS.

Q: What is an endowment?

A: A school’s endowment is its savings ac-

count. A large endowment, well invested, means that a school is guaranteed another source of income beyond tuition and annual donation gifts. Such an endowment provides long-term stability for a school, ensuring that it has the resources to plan and develop for the future.

Academic Excellence

Q: Who gives to the Annual Fund?

A: Each year, HKIS parents, grandpar-

ents, alumni, faculty, staff, corporations and friends make gifts to the Annual Fund. HKIS hopes that all HKIS families will make the school one of their highest philanthropic priorities, particularly while they have children attending the school.

Q: How and when can I give?

A: HKIS welcomes gifts any time during the school year. Donations can be made by cash, check or credit card in HK or US dollars. Credit card donations can be made on our secure online website (http://dnet. hkis.edu.hk/giving). Checks should be made payable to “Hong Kong International School”. You may make a pledge anytime during the school year and pay your pledge

by July 31. For US tax payers, please see question below.

Q: I am a United States taxpayer.

Can I get US tax benefits for my gift?

A: Yes. Please make your check payable to

“Friends of Hong Kong Charities Inc.” and ensure that nothing is written in the lower left-hand corner of the check. You must be a US citizen or resident and your check should be for HK$800 (approximately

US$100) or more. You can donate with either a HKD or USD check. Each quarter, the Friends of Hong Kong Charities Inc. issues receipts that support tax deductions in both Hong Kong and the US.

Q: How much should I/we give?

A: Gifts of all amounts are gratefully

received and appreciated. Donations to the Annual Fund have ranged anywhere from HK$20 to over HK$1 million, so any amount you donate will be beneficial to our students. What is more important is your participation in the Annual Fund efforts.

A high level of participation demonstrates community support for our school.

Q: Where should I send my gift?

A: Please send your gift to the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) at the following address: Office of Institutional Advancement Hong Kong International School 1 Red Hill Road, Tai Tam, Hong Kong Attn: Annual Fund

Q: How is my gift recognized? Can my gift be made “anonymous”?

A: Each year the school publishes the An-

Self -Motivated Learning

highlights the year’s events and accomplishments as well as acknowledges all our Annual Fund donors. Your name will be listed in the appropriate gift level category (your specific dollar amount will not be listed). Yes, your gift can be made anonymously if you desire.

Q: Can I designate my gift to a specific program?

A: Yes, you certainly can designate your

gift to a specific program. Please complete the Annual Fund donation envelope specifying your choice of program. However, please note that an unrestricted gift gives the school the greatest flexibility in directing gifts to address the school’s current needs.

Q: Does HKIS accept matching gifts?

A: Yes, HKIS does accept matching gifts.

Please complete the necessary matching gift forms from your company/organization and submit them to the OIA. To ensure that the matching gifts are fully and properly processed, please contact the OIA prior to completing and submitting your forms for further information. OIA can be reached at 3149-7820 or oia@hkis. edu.hk

nual Report and Report of Giving, which

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annual fund

Q: What is the Annual Fund Cabinet?

A: The Annual Fund Cabinet is a group of

parents, faculty, staff, alumni and student volunteers who provide support and direction for the year’s Annual Fund campaign.

Each grade level and school division is represented on the Annual Fund Cabinet.

The group meets regularly to plan various fundraising and community-building events and programs, all for the purpose of the Annual Fund. The biggest fundraising event is the HKIS Celebration Ball, which is held in May each year. The Ball is organized by a volunteer Ball Committee with the Ball Chair also being a member of the Annual Fund Cabinet. Without this group of Annual Fund Cabinet and Ball Committee volunteers, the Annual Fund would not have reached the level of success we enjoy today.

Self -Motivated Learning

Character Development through teamwork

Q: Who can I contact for more information on the Annual Fund?

A: Please contact the Office of Institution-

al Advancement at 3149-7820 or oia@hkis. edu.hk. The OIA offices are located in the HKIS Middle School, 6th floor, Tai Tam, Hong Kong. n

Contributing to Society – students build houses for the homeless in Thailand

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T

he HKIS 39th Annual Basketball Tournament during the last weekend of November saw some exciting sporting action. The Seoul American School won the boys’ competition again this year, and Faith Academy from the Philippines won the girls’ competition. This is the second year that an Award was presented to the school team exhibiting the best sportsmanship. The idea came from our HKIS Alumni Association who wanted to recognize the spirit of building relationships within a framework of true sportsmanship at the tournament. The Award was presented by Alumni Board member Justin Hardman ’99. The recipient of the Award in both the boy and girl categories was Taipei American School. n

Beauty and the Beast The Hong Kong Singers were proud to present Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre from 18-22 October. The cast performed to sold out shows and was hailed by the SCMP as “a top-notch locally produced musical, featuring strong performances.” Alumni, faculty and current students involved in the performance included Carrie Grev (faculty member), Eric Ng ’98, Jodie Chan ’08, Kristen Bryar ’10, Rachel Nightingale ’11, Sarah Christensen ’10 and Vanessa Lee ’99.

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class notes

thirteen years and opened my own studio John Wong Photography in 1993. Through the years I have worked for many major clients here and in Mexico.

I had the opportunity to play with the best golfer in the world this February 2008 in the ProAm Tournament at Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai. What an overwhelming experience to play with Tiger Woods in front of a gallery! Our foursome did not win, but we came in with a score of 59.

’72

herbert.kwok@yahoo.com

John Tsun-Fung Wong ’72

After leaving HKIS in 1972, I attended University Of Redlands in CA. I was there for a year and then transferred to UC Riverside. It is there that I met my wife Cyndi. We got married that year. I then decided to pursue my passion for photogaphy and turned it into a career.

I applied to The Art Center College Of Design in Pasadena, CA and was accepted. I was there for three and a half years and got a BFA in photography. Right before graduation, I was hired by an advertising studio in Dallas TX. I worked there for one year and switched to another studio Greg Booth & Associates. I worked for them for

Wong family portrait

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johntwong@tx.rr.com

’73

Herbert Kwok ’71

During my spare time, I enjoy tennis and watching foreign films. My wife Cyndi and I also love traveling and trying out new wine. We return to Hong Kong about once a year to see my mother and brother.

My mother has just celebrated her 90th birthday. During our last trip, we also visited Beijing.

John Bordwell ’73

I retired last summer after a 30 year career in the Army, where I was assigned to Hong Kong (twice), Japan, Hawaii and finally Singapore. I am now a civil servant with the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington. Julie and I just celebrated our 29th anniversary. We have two children who are both at university. diborjh@gmail.com

Scott Waterman ’74

’74

’71

Where are They Now?

We have two children Jason (28) and Jessica (25). Jason is a software engineer for National Instrument in Austin, TX and Jessica is finishing her Master’s degree in The School Of Divinity in Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Scott Waterman ’74 and his wife Kathy live in a suburb of Minneapolis. Scott and Kathy met in college and recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. They have two children, Bryan (15) and Stephanie (18). Bryan is a sophomore at Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Stephanie is a freshman at Marquette Uni-

Waterman family

Over 30+ years since high school, I’ve been as much a nomad in my “careers” as I was a global nomad as a child. I started out in banking – that was after a year on tour with a band. Then took time off to have three children and grew with them through elementary school from teacher’s aide to health clerk to finally teaching high school math and science. I had a very small travel agency for a while; directed a middle school musical drama troupe and now, I am a technical recruiter for a global defense contractor – all with a Psychology degree.

My husband and I live outside San Diego on a small ranch where we grow our own food, and live off solar power and well water. We have no home phone or TV service (though we do get sporadic and unreliable internet service). I make butter and cheese and “can” anything that will fit in a jar

jrower@hotmail.com

Scott Bearden ’78

I’m living in Fort Collins, CO where I’ve been working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases for the past seven years. I’m a subject matter expert and principal investigator on the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis (think the

“Black Death) which ironically was first isolated in Hong Kong in 1894. My work has taken me to Uganda to study plague and investigate outbreaks in the West Nile region (NW Uganda) of that country.

The above picture is of a primary school I visited in 2006 (I’m the one holding the camera – our Ugandan police escort is in the foreground). One of the unfortunate realities of plague in Uganda is that it disproportionately affects women and children. Plague is also considered a potential agent of bioterrorism and I spent my first few years here as a bioterrorism (BT) response team leader. I have three kids and a three year old granddaughter.

’80

Our three children are our greatest joys.

Dan’s a Software engineer, Karis is studying to be a naturopathic doctor and Christa is in her last year studying musical theater with dreams of Broadway. They are different as night and day but they love and support each other and I don’t think anything in the world is more rewarding than that.

Linda Reizman Cox ’80 and Johnny Cox ’82

Hi to all of my fellow HKISers! Here is a recent picture of me and my brother Johnny ’82.

All is well here in the San Francisco Bay Area and if anyone is planning a visit, contact me or Johnny at licoricelinda@yahoo.com. Peace, Linda Reizman Cox ’80.

’81

Judi (Porter) Rower ’75

– except zucchini. That’s just nasty when it’s canned.

’78

’75

versity pursuing Civil Engineering. Scott is in sales and marketing for Hallmark Cards and Kathy is a Commercial Insurance broker. At HKIS Scott studied Tae Kwon Do and started training again in 1986. Scott is now a 5th degree black belt and is the Chief Instructor of his own Tae Kwon Do club, which has 30 students ranging from beginner through 2nd degree black belt.

Both Bryan and Stephanie have earned black belts and Scott enjoys helping students of all abilities to excel in the sport.

Scott is the HKIS class agent and welcomes contact from fellow the class of 1974 alums at scottkwaterman@yahoo.com.

Michael Harshfield ’81

After 19 months of commuting from Chicago to the Bay Area we moved in July 2007. Our daughters, Morgan & Shay, have transitioned well and seem to enjoy the mild weather in Northern California. Unfortunately my wife takes most of the pictures, thus we have very few family photos but I have included two of the girls and myself. They are eight and are in 3rd grade – continuing to travel the country seeing family and friends – we plan on beginning international travel in 2009-10.

Mike Harshfield with his two daughters

Unfortunately events have led to the closing of Reactrix Systems, Inc., where I served as VP, Field Operations. I continue to stay in touch with a variety of folks. Ironically sitting in a Malaysian restaurant in downtown San Francisco I ran into Arun Bedi with whom I had lost contact with a few years ago. He is working with Cisco in Singapore, but visits the Bay Area every couple of months. I also had the fortune

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of lunching with Robert Ketterer and Arun in Ocean County a couple of weeks ago.

If anyone is coming to the Bay Area and would like to get together, please feel free to contact me.

Mike Harshfield 3349 Deer Hollow Drive Danville, CA 94506 925.415.5311 (home) 630.849.6350 (mobile) mikeharshfield@yahoo.com IM: mikeharshfield@yahoo.com

Barry Michael in Taiwan: Barry Michael ’81 with his brother Tim, Tim’s wife Kathy and their children Nora and Cole.

Girls: Shannon Sullivan ’82, Karen StaniekGerhardt ’81, Leslie Arnold Atkinson ’81, Anna Agell ’81, Karen Karr Nimarota ’81

Mamma Mia: Karen Staniek-Gerhardt ’81, Karen Karr Nimarota ’81, Anna Agell ’81, Shannon Sullivan (’82), Leslie Arnold Atkinson ’81 with their children and Karen (Staniek-Gerhardt)’s husband Bernd at a showing of Mamma Mia this summer

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’82

class notes

By Sheila Baker Gujral ’82

For those in the class of ’82 who haven’t been receiving my emails, please contact me at sheilamcneila@hotmail.com. A few of you have stale e-mail addresses and have fallen off the list. I know that two people whose email kept bouncing back to me missed out on the reunion because they hadn’t heard about it. You can always reach me at the above address, via hkis82.com, or through the alumni office at the school. Don’t fall out of touch! I just found Dave MacQuarrie (or he found me) on Facebook this week and would love to re-connect with others out there who haven’t been in touch.

I was very excited to find Michelle (Michal) Mor on Facebook. She is living in Israel and had not been in touch with anyone from HKIS for many moons. I was reading a great article in the New York Times on the environment in China and thought to contact the author. When I looked at the byline, I saw the name Keith Bradsher, who was in IGE with me back in elementary school. He is presently living in Hong Kong and writing for the New York Times on China and Hong Kong.

Pong Harnphanich writes: Pong Harnphanich here. I graduated from University of Washington with Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Architecture and was a practicing architect in Thailand and Hong Kong for over 10 years.

Phong during his last trip to Turkey.

You can see his photos in www. facebook.com under Paul Harn

Nine years ago, I started natural soap and home spa product business based in Thailand. To date, I own two brands HARNN Natural Home Spa and THANN natural skin care. By the end of this year, we will have over 70 shops in 22 countries. We are planning to enter the US market in 2009 despite the crash.

I am responsible for product development, product and shop design and market visits,

which allow me to travel twice a month to countries around the world. If any of you guys are ever in Bangkok, please give me a call.

Roger Cormier writes in, “Cormier Family is great, busy with all sorts of work; Roger just got back from 3.5 months on the road shooting DVDs and TV work (sample fish attached) and the boys Thomas and

Nicholas (respectively, age 8, in 2nd grade; age 3.5 in K-care) are busy with school. A photo of my family at recent Vikings game, above.”

Angelia Darnbrough ’82 Hard to believe it’s been over 25 years since I graduated from HKIS. I have many fond memories of attending the Repulse Bay location of HKIS from K-Grade 7. I took a peek at the pictures from the recent reunion of the 1982 class in NYC and was thrilled to hear how some of my former classmates are doing.

I moved to Vancouver, BC Canada from Hong Kong where I completed my high school education. In 1986, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA in Economics and married Mike Grant, MASc Metallurgical Engineering in 1988. We lived in Chicago, IL for over 15 years and then Atlanta, GA for four years.

We now reside in Versailles, France with our four year old son and will be ex-pats until 2010.

adarnbrough@yahoo.com

’86

I am currently a full time mother and complete project-based marketing work when time permits. I have marketed software and technology-based products for over 15 years. I was also VP Marketing for an advertising agency in Chicago, IL for four years.

Colette Cheng ’86

Met her husband Alan in her church group in London and got married in the UK. They have three boys Samuel, Joshua and Kalep. Colette is a full time mother now living in Singapore. alancoletteho@yahoo.com

In November, my first motivational book titled “KWIK FIX” was published.

On October 30, 2008, I was the recipient of Land Rover’s Go Beyond and Challenge Life Awards 2008. ktderek@hotmail.com

Alex Langley ’88

I left Hong Kong in 1985 after spending five wonderful years in the city that never stops. I returned to Australia where I held several Personal Assistant positions to Senior Executives of three major corporations. I then made a move to be the Personnel Liaison for the Regent Hotel in Melbourne where I live. This was an exciting job and led to me being recruited to work for the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank. My family is of utmost importance and since meeting Michael – my husband, soul mate and partner for life and having our babies – Christopher (who is now 15), and Jessica (who is now 11) I wanted to stay home so not to miss any of their lives.

I became a consultant (and subsequently a Director) for a scrapbooking company called Creative Memories, where I have worked for 10 years now. This is a home based business that pays a fulltime salary, so I am home for the kids all the time. It is a wonderful mix of home and work. I have caught up with very few of my classmates since leaving HKIS as I rarely travel to the US. I correspond with some classmates via email from time to time which keeps me up to date, I would like to hear from more of them though. abarker3@bigpond.com

’88

’85

Alison Barker ’85

Colette with two of her three sons

It’s hard to believe that about 20 years ago I graduated from HKIS and then moved back to California.

I still feel like Hong Kong is my true home town. I was last there in 2005 to enjoy the IRB Sevens with a buddy of mine from California.

Derek Kwik ’86 I was just named as one of Hong Kong’s “Top-40 Heroes” in TimeOut Magazine for my adventure racing, motivational talks and charity fundraising.

About three years ago, my wife Alisa and I decided to move to Minnesota to be closer to her family. It is very different from Southern California, but we love it here.

Since we moved here we have had another addition to our family. Jonah is one and half, and Bethany is going to be four very soon!

When we moved, I kept my job with SAVVIS Communications, and I recently entered a new position there as Director of Quality Assurance in the Engineering and Development division. Alisa plans to go back to teaching in the fall.

Outside of work, we enjoy watching our children grow, exploring and learning more about Minnesota when time permits, and we are also involved with our church (one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox Christian parishes in the US) where I sing in the choir, teach a Sunday school class, and am preparing to be a deacon.

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class notes

’89

Angela STICH Easterwood ’89 My husband, Kevin, and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our 3rd child, Aubrey Elizabeth, on July 10. She joins big sisters Emma (7 years) and Lauren (5 years). Melissa Longley ’88 is her godmother. We are still living in Frisco, Texas. I had a blast at the 20 year reunion for the classes of ’88 and ’89 in San Francisco! Below is a picture of me and my daughters, from September 2008. angeast@msn.com

Jenny Chu ’89 was at HKIS for one year in Grade 6.

jennyshu8003@yahoo.com

Eli Fong ’89 joined HKIS in Grade 7 and

is working in the Hotel industry. She lives in Perth Australia and will be getting married early next year. email: elifong@hotmail.com

Christine Cheng ’89 This has been an exciting one, packed with plenty of overseas travels. I am involved in building the Trance ocean explorer Marco Polo Series. This project has taken me to the Monaco Yacht Show and the Ft. Lauderdale Yacht Show. However hectic my work may be, I was still able to join many alumni and teachers. The 40th Anniversary dinner at Country Club was amazing!

Soo Young Kim ’89 Got married as soon as she graduated from college and has two sons; she is living in Korea.

’90

With the help of Facebook, I am reunited with many old friends from HKIS. I hope to see more of you there.

Betty Chung ’90

Hope everyone is well! What an exciting time to be in DC with the historic elections. I was reminded recently that our 20th reunion is coming up – scary! I encourage fellow alums to sign up on Facebook and find me so we can link up – we just found Bob McNeel (rugby coach, killer fisherman & park ranger in Illinois) and are looking for Dondi Shackleton. Anyone know where he is? Emails regarding ideas for the reunion are welcome! Pat Nihan, Eric Yang,

Betty Chung, Susan, Adam and Dan Tukaczynski, Trevor Wright, Jen Price Smith, Pat Nihan and Eric Yang

Pat Nihan, Dan Tuck, Betty Chung, Jen Price Smith and Eric Yang

Jen Price Smith, Trevor Wright, Dan Tukaczynski and I attended Ed Altwies’ wedding to Claire Haiman this past July – it was a gorgeous weekend in the Catskills. A little strange to be in the US and without cell phone coverage or high speed internet, but that did not stop us from having a very good time.

Tim Chen ’92

’92

I am regularly in touch with Dina Narain and Rekha Kaula, and several others through the miracle FaceBook, as well as a brief virtual reconnect with Suzanna Lee. As always it’s great to hear from other HKIS alumni and learn what they have been up to over the years.

Dear friends, it has been quite a long time since my last update. Since getting married in November 2006,

Soo is pictured here with her husband and two sons. kimswim0327@yahoo.co.kr

Jennifer Welker ’89 is working and living in Macau, but comes to Hong Kong at weekends. jen_welker@yahoo.com 46 DragonTales

Pat Nihan, Dan Tukaczynski, Trevor Wright, Ed Altwies, wife Claire and Ed’s parents

our family has grown with the addition of Joshua Luke who was born in January of this year and keeping both Carrie and I very busy. On the work front, I decided to

leave the investment banking business after almost 12 years to join a private equity shop at the end of last year. I am adjusting to all of the changes in 2008 with fatherhood and the new job, but look forward to the challenges ahead. If any of you make it to Hong Kong, please do look me up.

Liz McCauley Collard

’94

I wanted to update the community on the birth of my son, Thomas Richard Collard on August 10, 2008. He joins his big sister Katie who is two-and-a-half. The family is doing great and we wish our HKIS family a great holiday season!

’94 Mini reunion in HK Mini reunion in Lan Kwai Fong in May 2008 Back Row: Hunt Smith, Sharifah Albukhary ’94, Ravi Choithramani ’94, Pravesh Narain ’92, Francis Ansvananda ’94, Michelle Hoeppner ’94, Faith Fischer ’94, Angela Ross Back Row: Howard Tang ’94, David Leventhal ’94, Daniel Lew ’94

’95

Right: On a new MTR line (very new to us) on the way to the Big Buddha, May 2008: Faith Fischer ’94, Angela Ross, Lauren Castellari ’94, David Leventhal ’94

David Cheng ’95

I am still in NYC with my brother Dennis Cheng ’97. My son Jasper is now a year and a half and will be a big brother next April! We are going to add another Cheng boy to the family.

’93

Lyman Doyle ’93 I was in the US on a short trip from Shanghai where I am living now and ran into Byron ’94 and Matt Lyman Doyle, Mike Johnson, Jimmy Martin

King ’94 at a West Point reunion. Both are doing well, married, and are out of the Army. I also stopped by Mike Johnson’s (’94) very nice apartment in New Jersey.

Mike is married, domesticated, and he and his wife Alexandria are expecting a baby.

Jimmy Martin ’94 was there as well to have a few beers before going back to Boston where he is attending Boston College Law School.

Byron King, Lyman Doyle, Matt King

ld@doylepacific.com

David, Jasper and Jocelynn Cheng

Danielle Huthart ’95 is busy growing her business in Hong Kong. On top of running her company Whitespace, she just launched a new sneaker brand, www. cipherism.com. Check it out. It will be hitting the shelves at Lane Crawford and then in the US. DragonTales

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Erin Connor ’95 recently moved back to Asia from DC. She’s now in Jakarta, far away from us. This is making me want to move back to Asia.

Deborah Teng ’95 is still here in NYC, and hopefully not leaving us anytime soon.

She recently got engaged! Many congratulations!

Coralie Charriol (Paul) ’95 is also still in NYC. She’s pregnant again and having a girl (due in March).

Our sons Jasper and Maximilien are pals and play together almost every week. Coralie is still working for CHARR IOL and is launching a new line of handbags Maximilien and Coralie and gold jewelry. Paul Susan Strebel ’95 also in NYC, lives with her boyfriend (a fantastic chef) and dog in Brooklyn. She’s still working in fundraising as the Director of Special Events for NYC Center (performing arts).

Regan, I will call you for notes and tips on handling two crazy boys. Back in October, she completed her first marathon.

Brendan Brew ’97 recently had another baby girl, so the Brew clan now has 2 little girls. Many congratulations.

Jeremy Murphy ’95 recently moved back to NYC from London. He’s still working at Goldman Sachs. Murphy, let’s do brunch next Sunday?

’96

class notes

Jennifer Gina Doman ’96 – Las Vegas Wedding

Essi Vulli ’95 recently got married. She now lives in Phoenix.

Annikki Muncy ’95 is getting married in November in Mexico. She’s still in Napa wine country.

Craig Corbett ’95 the Canadian is still in Edmonton practicing law.

Miguel Carreon ’95 is in Shanghai teaching. He will be in Hawaii June 2009 if anyone wants to meet him (Migz, we are going in August).

Courtney Bailey (Hughes) ’95 is in Jacksonville and has a beautiful baby boy, Jack.

Patrick Brew ’96 is still living in East Hampton, NY. He recently purchased a home. We cannot wait to visit him next summer.

Jen and Justin

October 4, 2008 brought together many HKISers for the wedding of Jennifer Gina Doman ’96. Jen has lived in New York City for the last four years where she met her husband playing rugby, a sport introduced to her on the Tai Tam field. Jen and Justin were engaged in December of 2007 and quickly asked many HKIS people to be a part of their wedding, including her maid of honor, Jillian Doman ‘ 94. Long time friends, Catherine Martin, Louise Jordan, Gia Burton (previously Antoniellis) also live in New York City and were asked to be bridesmaids. In addition, Helena Bethelius, who currently lives in Hong Kong and

Steve Escaler ’95 recently moved out of NYC to Houston, Texas. He is now working at Morgan Stanley. He survived Hurricane Ike. Jason Greene ’95 is still in Atlanta. He’s working for Merrill Lynch and is still an active reservist for the US Marine Corps and recently got engaged! Congrats JG. Deane Carberry ’95 is in Colorado waiting for the snow to arrive. He recently completed a road trip, driving a Mustang from Florida back to Colorado.

Regan Turley (Williams) ’95 lives in Los Angeles. She’s got a great husband and two crazy boys: Jude who is four and Jonas two.

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Last row: Dave Perdue ’96, Sara Silviera ’01, Shahriq Sheihk ’96, Sanjeev Thakkar ’94 3rd row: Sarah Fullerton ’01, Helena Berthelius ’96, Catherine Martin ’96, Amanda Barton ’96, Louise Jordan ’96, Jillian Doman ’94, Rachel Barton ’02, Pia Schallenberger ’96, Andrew Fullerton ’96 2nd row: Deena Dharber, Gia Antonellis (Burton) ’96, Jennifer Doman (Flowers) ’96, Justin Flowers, Peter Fishel ’68 1st row: Brandon Mugar ’96, Jerry Fishel (G5), Grant Kahler ’97 Present but not in the photo – Rishi Thakkar ’97

Ted Hurley ’94 (left), lives and works in Shanghai. Sara Dallaire ’96 (middle), lives in NYC, doing PR for Tiffany & Co. and was in Shanghai visiting her parents.

Miguel Carreon ’95 (right), lives and works in Shanghai at HKIS’ sister school.

Helena Berthelius ’92, Louise Jordan ’92, Gia Antonellis ’92, Jennifer Doman ’96. Amanda Barton ’96, Catherine Martin ’96, Jillian Doman ’94

left HKIS in 1994 was invited to the wedding party as well as college roommate and acting pal Amanda Barton. Five of her best friends from high school with her sister all stood by her side on her big day. But that was not all from HKIS. Her three closest guy friends were also included on Justin’s side, Andrew Fullerton, David Perdue and Brandon Mugar. Justin has become close with all the Hong Kong kids through the years and they have also become his family.

Picture taken in Shanghai, May 2008.

Wedding of Linne Tsu ’96 and Anthony Ng ’95 We were married in June 2008 in Bali in front of an intimate gathering of family and friends.

HKIS graduate (Class of ’68) was no other than Jen’s uncle, Peter Fishel who gave her away during the ceremony and current 5th grader Jerry Fishel was the ring-bearer.

Also in attendance was more than 20 other HKIS students ranging from Classes of ’94 to ’01. It was an excellent day, a reunion for many and cherished memories for all.

Emi Takahashi ’96

’97

Sara Dallaire ’96

Sarah Roesler ’96 and Andy Shaffer ’97

This past June Andy Shaffer ’97 and I got married! There were 13 other HKIS alumni in attendance and four former faculty. Included in the alumni were our family members: Dan and Sandie Fischer (HKIS teachers from 1989-2002), now teaching at Zion Lutheran School in Fallbrook, CA; Faith Fischer ’94 now living in Seattle, WA; Nathan Fischer ’98 now living in Denver, CO; Matt Shaffer ’01 now living in Boston, MA; and Thom Shaffer ’05 attending the University of Georgia.

Andy and I also attended the wedding of Bethany Allen (Wetjen ) ’97 where we reconnected. A year later we’re now married and living in Eagle Mountain, UT with my three year Andy and Sarah with old daughter, Trin- Trinity Shaffer ity. I was teaching elementary school for the past five years, but have now “retired” to stay home with Trin. Andy works for Battelle Memorial Institute as a test engineer at a chemical weapons destruction facility. The skiing in Utah is great. Any alumni are welcome to drop by on their way to the slopes! sjroesler7@hotmail.com

Emi Takahashi ’96 and Philippe Uehlinger were married on Friday, September 26, 2008.

Linne Tsu and Anthony Ng

Emi & Philippe Uehlinger Quellenweg 4, CH-4102 Binningen emi-philippe@uehlinger.ch www.uehlinger.ch

Keane Tsu ’99, Linne Tsu ’96, Anthony Ng ’95, Antonio Ng ’91

Elizabeth Hutton ’96, Bethany Allan (WETJEN) ’97, Lisa Shaw O’Connor ’97, Eric Mueller ’96, Sophia Gilsdorf (SAYERS) ’97, Greg Koehrsen ’96, Sarah Shaffer (FISCHER) ’96, Andy Shaffer ’97, Tiffany Ferencz (SLUK) ’97, Mike Mihaichuk ’96

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Tim Lo ’97

Tim Lo ’97 at the Beijing Olympics this summer. Jason Tan ’97, Budiman Rahardja ’97, Andrew Li, Tim Lo ’97

’99

class notes

Karen Ouk ’99

After attending Stanford University, I started working for Google in 2003, and have been at Google ever since. I currently work on Strategic Partnerships. I got married shortly after graduation and Kalyn (my elder daughter) was born the following year. Sydni (our second daughter) joined the family in late 2006. Full-time work and the girls keep my husband Chris and I very busy. Parenthood has been extremely exciting and very rewarding.

Karen Ouk ’99 family portrait

Karie and Nathaniel Koehneke; Andy and Sarah Koehneke (Andy is holding baby Adelae) at the baptism of Adelae Elizabeth Koehneke

Nathaniel Koehneke ’99 930 Pennsylvania Avenue Aurora, Illinois 60506-3026 nkoehneke@yahoo.com

’00

Jessica Lee ’00 I attended HKIS from K-12. I graduated from Stanford University in 2004 with a degree in Computer Science. I then worked at Google for four

March 1st in Discovery Bay celebrating Tim Lo’s birthday: Jerry Young ’97, Mukesh Mahtani ’97, Jason Tan ’97, Russell Yu ’98, Tim Lo ’97, Budiman Rahardja ’97, Joe Chiang ’96, Terence Lee ’97, Lance Chiu ’97

Six HKSIers… playing some streetball in Boracay

Go karting in manila!

Tim Lo ’97, Mukesh Mahtani ’97 in the middle and Jason Tan ’97 on the right

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We lived in Silicon Valley, California up until April 2008, when we relocated to Sydney Australia for work. Living in Sydney has been a wonderful adventure, and we’re very much looking forward to spending lots of time on the beach this summer!

My email is: karen.ouk@gmail.com, and the blog I maintain can be found at: http:// ourterribletwo.blogspot.com/. I’d love to hear from you!

Irene Tam’s wedding. Irene was also Class of ’00. Natasha Chang, Irene Tam (the bride), and Jess Lee, all Class of ’00 A small group of HKIS alums ’99 met up during October 2008 in Hong Kong for a mini reunion since Karen Ouk ’99 and Stephen Hui ’99 were in town visiting. Walter Chan, Wannita Yeung ’99, Dwayne Chow ’99, Karen Hui Ouk ’99, Chris Ouk, Christopher Chen ’99, Stephen Hui ’99

Daisy Digmanese’s wedding. Daisy was also Class of ’00. Kelvin Su, Jenn Tan, Chris Yip, Jess Lee, Stephanie She, Ed Tsui, Jon Tse, Jen Tse (formerly Jen Chen – she and Jon starting dating at HKIS but are now married), and Alex Shyu. All Class of ’00.

’02

years. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area and work at a small fashion startup called Polyvore. I still keep in touch with a lot of HKISers and have been to quite a few HKIS weddings lately.

Jodi Tong ’02 Jodi is working as an art teacher for after-school activities in the Upper West Side.

Above: Lily with fake pointy ears dressed in a costume that she made - playing BIG BUCK Hunter a gun shooting game at the pub where she works Right: Jodi Tong ’02 and Lily Chen ’02

Alice Rose Andersen ’05 and

’05

Joshua Michael Sears got married on 25 April 2008 in the Hong Kong Temple of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints. n

OBITUARY David William Pearsall, Ph.D., Educator David Wiliam Pearsall, 63, formerly of Manasquan, New Jersey, passed away October 12, 2007, after a short illness.

David was born October 15, 1943, in East Orange, New Jersey and was the son of Raymond and Anne Pearsall. David was a teacher in elementary, and middle schools in East Orange, NJ. He was a Department Head and teacher at Hong Kong International School.

David was a member of Christ Episcopal Church at Serenata Beach in Florida. He graduated from St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, and received his undergraduate and masters degrees from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, in education and psychology.

David received his doctorate from Fordham University, New York, in educational psychology. While living in Hong Kong during the 1980’s, he studied at the University of East Asia, Macau, China focusing on Human Resources Management.

David is survived by his wife, Deborah, St. Augustine Beach, Florida; his daughter, Pamela Schwarz and her husband Andrew, Orange Park, Florida; his brothers: Gregory, Dennis, Timothy and Raymond Pearsall, NJ; his sisters: Bernadette Fauth, and Claire DiCocco, NJ; Christine Villano, Fairbanks, Alaska; grandsons: Benjamin, Gunnar, and Gavin, Orange Park, Florida, and Andrew Schwarz, Forked River, NJ; and 17 nieces and nephews.

Zoran Omerbasich ’75 1957-2007

It is with great sadness that we share the news of Zoran’s passing with his many friends at HKIS. Zoran enrolled in HKIS for his junior year as an exchange student from the former Yugoslavia. It was a year he always looked back on with fondness during his short life. During his time at HKIS he perfected his English and made some wonderful friends.

Zoran was a kind and gentle soul, and a gifted artist. His talent and love for music many may recall from the numerous HKIS social functions he performed at. His death is a sad loss, and he will be missed by all those who knew and loved him including his cousins, the Teodorovich sisters: Odette (’81), Chantal (’92), and Milana (’95) and his dear friend, Mark Shostrom (’74)

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We Want Dear Alumni,

You!

HKIS is on a quest to find our many lost alumni. We have over 3,000 alumni who have moved without providing us with their contact details or email addresses.

We urge you to help us by taking a quick look at the list of LOST alumni from your class on the alumni website http://dnet.hkis.edu.hk/alumni/. If you see names of classmates with whom you are in touch, please send us their email addresses or let them know that they are on the lost list.

We will contact them and ask if they would like to be ‘found’ and reunited with HKIS. The Alumni Office is very respectful of the privacy of alumni. We are also proactive in updating our database so we can be in touch with you and keep you in touch with each other.

Please help your Alumni Office!

HKIS wishes all alumni, alumni-faculty and friends

a Merry Christmas and a very happy holiday season!