DragonTales Winter 2010-2011

DRAGON The Alumni Magazine of HKIS

Labyrinth: The long walk

New Head of School announced Foshan: Return to innocence

Winter 2010/2011

letters

Dear HKIS Alumni David (D.J.) J. Condon

Welcome! T

his issue of DragonTales is being finalized in the midst of Christmas celebrations at HKIS and all around Hong Kong. While it is a special time for Christians, we have recently celebrated Chanukkah and Diwali at the school. The end of the year is a superb time to reflect and recognize the many different faiths that surround us. It is one of the things that makes HKIS special for so many.

Our Mission underlines what HKIS is all about and is a key aspect when we look to the annual Bob Christian Alumnus/ Alumna of the Year Award, which recognizes alums that are doing just that. Do you know a special alum that is making a difference? Our previous awardees are great examples to us all and we know there are more of you out there for us to engage with and share your story with the HKIS community around the world.

This is also a good time to reflect on happy memories – the Middle School Band playing in the Stanley amphitheater – now in its 10th year! the all-school Christmas assembly, the Holiday Basketball Tournament – now 41 years young, and the return to exams in January! All things that alums tell me they remember clearly from their time here. What will you reflect on from your time at HKIS? I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year and encourage you to keep in touch on Facebook, Twitter, our website or by dropping our alumni team a note – we would love to hear your stories.

Keep in touch!

Best regards, David J. Condon Head of School

Rohini Chotirmal

E

ach time DragonTales arrives, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on my devotion to HKIS. As I crack open the magazine in anticipation, it reminds me of why I am so engaged – even though it has been over twenty years since I proudly received my diploma.

It is all about the people.

Our fellow alumni are an amazing group and in this edition, you will hear about a few of them. From Martha Collard ’76 who worked with the High School to build the world’s largest labyrinth, to Grant Abel ’77 who heads up the huge zoological operations and education division team at Ocean Park, HKIS alumni are involved, impassioned, and incredible!

Our future alumni are no less inspiring.

You will be floored by the service learning opportunities that our students get involved in at an orphanage in Foshan.

They are making a tangible difference in the lives of these kids.

It is our collective commitment to community, forged by our days at HKIS, that fires me up when I think about our school. Whether you attended from reception one all the way through grade 12 as I did, or whether you spent your sophomore year here before moving on, you are part of a proud family.

As we enter a new decade, I encourage you to reflect on your time here, and how it helped shape who you are today. I also encourage you to stay connected, and to get even more involved. I promise you from firsthand experience, it is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do!

Get involved!

Cheers, Rohini Chotirmal ’89 President, Alumni Association

Contents 2

Letters from our leaders n News from Head of School and

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Happy Hour: Hong Kong n Our latest Hong Kong gathering.

Alumni President

Anyone here you know?

4

Giving thanks n A community gathering with a difference

New Head of School n HKIS has announced a new Head of

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Class of 1990 Reunion n San Francisco was the scene for a 20-year gathering of HKIS chums

School – here’s all the background

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Football Focus n A HKIS Alum team took on the best of current HKIS soccer stars. Bruised shins aside, it was all good fun

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Alumni Challenge

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n The Alumni President has a challenge –

Jane Goodall

are you up to it?

22

n Dr Jane returned to HKIS and Repulse Bay,

Bob Christian Alumnus/ Alumna of the Year Award

to wow and inspire students and faculty alike

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n Do you know any alum who has been

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n Do you want to give back to HKIS?

living the Mission?

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Foshan: Revisited

Annual Fund

n Touching reflections from High School

ClassNotes

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n A bumper crop this time around, featuring

students on how Service has helped them

lots of faculty updates and news from alums all around the world

W i nte r 2010 / 2011

Editor Jon Walsh Contributors Genny Chin Spencer Chiu Betty Chung Erik Dierks Ellie Furuya Jessica Jordan Rachel Kim Robbieanna Leung Irene Loh Becky Mak Marty Schmidt Jon Walsh Kathy Wong Thank you Martha Collard Bill Leese Marty Schmidt

DragonTales is a product of the HKIS Advancement team: Chief Advancement Officer Erik Dierks Webmaster Alan Beaufoy Public Relations Manager Connie Chan Alumni Coordinator Irene Loh Administrative Assistant Prudence Ng Communications and Publications Manager Jon Walsh Development Coordinator Kathy Wong

HKIS Alumni Board: President Rohini Balani Chotirmal ’89

Get in touch!

Vice-President Joyce Yin ’89

Alumni Contact Irene Loh via alumni@hkis.edu.uk

Members Lincoln Chan ’88 Spencer Chiu ’93 Justin Hardman ’99 Natasha Khan ’03 Kenneth Rohrs (faculty) E-Board member David Kohl (former faculty)

Features for DragonTales Contact Jon Walsh via jwalsh@hkis.edu.hk Giving Erik Dierks via edierks@hkis.edu.hk Annual gala Connie Chan via cchan@hkis.edu.hk

Advisors Robert Dorfman ’72 Kenneth Koo ’79

Design and print Impressions Design & Print Ltd.

Follow us on Twitter via @HKIS

service

Walking around in circles There is more than one way to give thanks and for the American holiday of Thanksgiving, the High School humanities department came up with a recordbreaking plan

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ot many people know what a labyrinth is, what it signifies, or what it can be used for. But the HKIS High School humanities department is always exploring different ways to help students develop character and their own spiritual identity. But just how did something that could help with development come to be one of the most talked about Community Gatherings HKIS has ever seen? And grow into a possible placing in the record books? Some of the best ideas grow organically, taking on a development of their own, and that’s exactly how the plan to have a ‘giant labyrinth’ on the Tai Tam sports field came about.

A teacher of 20 years at HKIS, Marty Schmidt initially invited Hong Kong based HKIS alum Martha Collard ’76 to speak at his Service, Society and the Sacred (SSS) back in September. “The class is elective – the students don’t have to take it – but they do and they are here to explore and enjoy what it on offer. The idea of using a labyrinth in the classroom is just another way of pushing the boundaries and look at what we can do to benefit students” Marty told us back in September.

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Martha Collard is the only qualified labyrinth builder in Asia and brought a ‘classroom-sized’ labyrinth to HKIS for the SSS group – a massive canvas sheet with a red labyrinth painted on it (see photos above). She presented the ideas and philosophy behind labyrinth walking and the students set to it.

Soon after, High School humanities teacher Bill Leese got together with Marty to brainstorm how they could incorporate a ‘walk’ into the spiritual life of the school, but rather than limit it to a class, take it as wide as possible, to a labyrinth for all High School students and faculty. The idea took shape and as soon as they discovered that Martha was available for on November 23, the date selected itself – a unique school-wide Community Gathering close to American Thankgsgiving was born. Bill was under no illusions it was a “...rather unusual plan”. He was right.

Bills ‘World Religion’ class got to work on logistics and brought it to life with a video shown to all High School homerooms. Classroomsized trials took place and the before they knew it, November 22 had arrived. A very different team took to the field that evening.

The labyrinth was 50 meters in diameter, marked out with surveyors tape with around 800 fist-sized bags of sand attached every couple of feet. It took 25 people four hours to fill the plastic bags (using sand from the long jump pit) and then lay out the plan.

Martha modified the labyrinth slightly so it had four entrances to allow more people in quicker and keep them moving. The HKIS sports field had become home to the world’s largest temporary labyrinth. Tomorrow, they hoped to get as many people in and through it as possible.

Marty Schmidt takes up the story, “With melodic wind chimes enchantingly playing in the background, students and teachers took a 45-minute break from the intensity of school life above to contemplate anew the many good things found within our community. Following an introduction on the significance and usage of the labyrinth as a tool for mindful introspection by alumnus Martha Collard, the entire community entered through one of four passageways onto this metaphorical model of the journey of life.” Some walk fast, some slow. And it can appear that you are walking further away from the ‘goal’ in the centre when you are

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taking so many left and right turns – just when you think you’re close, another turn guides you away.

After the event, Marty noted in his blog, “A labyrinth walk symbolizes a message of underlying unity amongst diversity and complexity. Members are at different stages in the journey; some move quickly, while others find a slower pace. But there are no dead-ends, no tricks, no attempts to derail. This is not a race or a competition to sift out the ‘most fit’ to survive at highly soughtafter universities. To the contrary, one common path leads all walkers in a meandering trail towards home, a place of security, satisfaction, and gratitude.”

So, didn’t we mention something about a World Record? Martha is the perfect person to ask – as the only qualified labyrinth builder in Asia she reached out to her colleagues in her com-

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munity to find out. Nothing this size had been attempted with so many people at once. Photos taken from the eighth floor were examined and about 650 heads counted on the labyrinth at once.

Lawyers were at the walk to verify the event and the information sent to Guinness World Records – now we must wait. The results won’t be known until Chinese New Year. Bill Leese, “…the record is more of a novelty. The purpose was to experience a tranquil moment of reflection express gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Students and faculty walked carrying a paper leaf on which they wrote those things for which they were thankful. It appeared that the vast majority were taking the experience quite earnestly.”

However, does it really give time to de-stress and reflect? One response to the Marty’s blog by ‘Christopher Huie’ suggests so, “The labyrinth walk is a powerful tool for relaxation and meditation.

When done correctly, it can help students forget about the vari-

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service

ous stresses in their day. It’s a quasi-transformative process that almost forces individuals to listen to their thoughts, think about what’s important to them and, consequently, reflect on their lives.

Each time I did the labyrinth, I was extremely stressed-out beforehand. For example, on November 23 I was bombarded with various quizzes, tests, and projects, but the short yet relaxing walk through the labyrinth acted as a fleeting escape away from reality. It let me brush aside all of these worries and focus on the sounds around me and the sounds of my own thoughts. It was near Thanksgiving and the serene time I had in the labyrinth gave me the opportunity to think about what I was thankful for – an opportunity I rarely get. I believe that by further immersing myself into activities such as these, I can achieve a clearer, more controlled state of mind.”

Speaking with people at the event and noting these posts on Marty’s blog, it was obvious the unique Community Gathering was a hit – record or not. Some found it difficult to ‘tune in’ and some thought it was a ‘good bit of fun’, but overall there was an underlying theme – it was time to reflect, time out of the classroom, time to walk and time to give thanks. There isn’t enough time and space to do that in Hong Kong these days – walking around in circles seems like the way forward.

Martha summed up the ‘walk’ when responding to students questions and comments, “Remember that there are no hard fast rules for walking the labyrinth. Some people burst into song, others tears, some become somber, some laugh or dance. To each their own. Embrace the diversity and the fact that for a few minutes on a sunny November day, the entire senior school student body was a united community walking together on their journey celebrating thanks.”

Count for yourself…

Want to check the numbers and see this amazing event for yourself? Take a look at the video on YouTube by logging on to the HKIS YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ HKISlive

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alumni update

Betty Chung ’90 – chungbyc@aol.com – writes to us with news from a special anniversary get together:

O

n a very chilly August weekend, HKIS alumni gathered in San Francisco to catch up and laugh about old times.

Thanks to all who made it and we missed those who would have liked to be there! It was a great excuse to reconnect, even if only on Facebook. Please mark your calendar – our 30th anniversary reunion will be in Hong Kong!

Coming around again!

A whole bunch of HKIS alums decided the 20th anniversary was time for a good get together. Welcome to San Francisco!

There was a whole bunch of Class of 1990 alumni around for the gathering; Ed Altwies, Tara Butler, Anthony Chang, Betty Chung, Curt Detweiler, Bill Gemmel, Bob McNeel, Duncan Ip, Pat Nihan, Ryan Petersen, Jennifer Price Smith, Mike Stich, Nick Stocker, Becky Bassett Swanlund, Dan Tukacynski, Trevor Wright, Eric Yang, and Jeff Yasuda.

But it is always good to have more friends along, so a whole bunch of other alums decided to join in the party; John Blomeyer ’91, Benny Choy ’88, Angela Stich Easterwood ’89, Kerry Ford ’89, Lexi Garschagen ’92, Sue Harris ’91, Hilary Lahey ’91 and Karen Lee Wright ’89.

Our thanks go out to Betty Chung ’90 who put together a healthy gathering of HKIS alums in San Francisco one chilly weekend in August.

We can help!

If you are thinking of your class reunion, do let your Alumni Office know. We can help you spread the news on our alumni website and the monthly alumni enewsletter. We can also help you source HKIS souvenirs for the reunion party. For more info, please contact Irene Loh at iloh@hkis. edu.hk or alumni@hkis.edu.hk.

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alumni update

Alumni Challenge Alumni Association President, Rohini Balani Chotirmal ’89, took on the role with a clear mission in mind – one she calls the ‘Alumni Challenge’. We meet some people that are taking it on.

We spoke with Rohini in the last issue of DragonTales and she made her mission clear – to forge closer relationships between HKIS alums and the school. She is hoping to increase alumni participation in events in Hong Kong – and around the world – and encourage more alumni to give back to the school.

And we’re not just talking about cash! Anything goes... whether it be a quick email to ClassNotes to let your friends know where you are and what you have been doing, to helping nominate someone for the Bob Christian Award or to organize a reunion. Meet five people who are helping to keep the ball rolling.

Dave Kohl – High School Art Faculty 1973 – ’80 on getting together with like-minded HKIS people

Edward Tsui ’00 and Trisha Yeh Tsui ’00 on organizing more get-togethers for our class

W

e stay connected with HKIS because some of our closest friends are the ones we made during our time at HKIS. It has been a blessing to see so many classmates from the Class of 2000 return to Hong Kong. At our wedding in 2010 we had over 50 of our HKIS friends attend and we had a blast! Our goal for 2011 is to organize more get-togethers for our class so more of our classmates can reconnect.

T

eaching at HKIS in the 1970s was the Camelot experience of my teaching career.

Fun interactive classes, intelligent and positive students, adventuresome young people and a crackerjack collection of fellow teachers. For me it was like being at a large summer camp set in woodland with rocky ravines, all under skies ranging from crystal clear to typhoon laden.

My friendships with several students and faculty continue strong to today. Hong Kong oozed the glory of the Colonial past while preparing for a modern and efficient future. I count it an honor to be part of the Alumni Board and to help with organizing reunions. Getting people together who loved Hong Kong and HKIS floats my boat.

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Grant Abel ’77 on giving back

I

stay connected with HKIS because the school is a unique place for kids of many nationalities.

My High School years at HKIS provided me with the educational resources I needed to further a career working with marine animals in zoos, aquariums and in their natural environment, which eventually brought me back to Hong Kong five years ago to work at Ocean Park. In my role at the Park, I see many young people aspiring to work with animals in various fields from veterinary sciences, conservation, education or as keepers at zoos and aquariums. Ocean Park exists for the people of Hong Kong and is able to provide hands-on opportunities in the form of internships for students with a genuine desire to work with exotic animals such as pandas, dolphins, birds and many species of fish, including sharks.

While I am in Hong Kong, I would like to think there may be young people at HKIS who could benefit in their future careers from opportunities that Ocean Park can provide and I would like to help connect those people. The future world needs balanced and proactive minds for managing human impact on our environment.

I mostly stay connected with HKIS through the Alumni website. Work commitments keep me very busy. I get satisfaction seeing young people expand their knowledge and confidence moving forward in life with the means to make a positive difference.

Spencer Chiu ’93 on the future

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’ve always tried to stay in touch with my fellow alumni and now being a part of the Alumni Association Board gives me a chance to officially connect with HKIS. There’s a lot of work to be done and in the long run it would be great to be able to help shape how alumni can contribute and a make a difference at HKIS.

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mission

The Bob Christian Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award 2011 Each year we take time to reflect on the HKIS Mission and Student Learning Results (SLRs) and see who has been living out their true meaning. We need you to help nominate those inspirational alums The Bob Christian Award recognizes HKIS alums who have been living the Mission and SLRs. To receive recognition requires help from you. Please nominate someone who you think has been living out the true meaning and making them come to life.

If you would like to nominate somebody, simply go to www.hkis.edu.hk and click on the ‘alumni’ tab to start nominating. To find out more about the Bob Christian Award, take a look at our previous winners and their inspirational work.

What’s it all about?

The Award was established in 2006 to recognize the tremendous service of Bob Christian, the very first Head of School for HKIS from 1966 to 1977. The aim is to give recognition to the Alumnus/Alumna who has made a strong, positive contribution to HKIS, our community, and the wider community.

The selection criteria used is that candidates: • Exemplify our Mission and Student Learning Results • Contribute to the HKIS community, the local community, or the broader community The Award’s Selection Committee will meet to review and consider nominations on their merits. Nominations are welcome from everyone, however, be quick as nominations close on February 1, 2011.

Award Selection Committee

Mission Dedicating our minds to inquiry, our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service and global understanding An American-style education, grounded in the Christian faith, and respecting the spiritual lives of all

Student Learning Results (SLRs) • Academic Excellence • Spirituality • Character Development • Self-Motivated Learning • Contributing to Society • Chinese Culture

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The committee is made up of members from across the HKIS community. This year, it includes: David J. Condon

Head of School

Dr Bruce Kelsh

Principal – Upper Primary

Vicky Seehafer

Director of Admissions

Rohini Chotirmal ’89

HKIS Alumni Association President

Lincoln Chan ‘88

HKIS Alumni Association Board member

Zella Talbot

Faculty – High School

Previous AWARDEES 2009 – Ken Koo ’79 and Charles Watson ’09

K

en Koo ’79 and Charles Watson ’09 might have graduated 30 years apart, but as joint winners of the Bob Christian Award last year, they have each fully embodied the true spirit of the HKIS Mission and SLRs. It was a golden year to have two alums that perfectly exemplify the Mission and SLRs. Ken was selected for his dedication to supporting HKIS over a number of years. He served as Alumni Association President for six years and, along with Desmond Chu ’91, set-up the James Handrich Service Endowment, itself a project that continues to fertilize and grow the true meaning of the HKIS Mission and SLRs in today’s students.

2008 – David ’94 and Josh Begbie ’96

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he Crossroads Foundation has not passed many people by. It is an educational and service organization that sprouted from humble beginnings in 1995 to reach over 100 countries around the world today. Its founders, brothers David and Josh Begbie, were judged to have truly lived the HKIS Mission and SLRs and so were jointly awarded the Bob Christian Award in 2008.

What started as donations to a disaster in China has grown into a UN partnership operation that has seen them connect with NGOs the world over, linking supply with demand, hence the name Crossroads. It has even generated an educational division that includes a ‘refugee simulation’, so people from all walks of life can experience the processes that millions have to endure around the world. In 2009, the brothers were invited to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to give world leaders a taste of refugee life through their educational program – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon joined the program.

David and Josh were presented with the Bob Christian Award at the HKIS graduation ceremony in June 2009.

Charles Watson won because he was a “role model in service leadership”. He spent his gap year in Nepal and Ghana working to bring wider information technology and website access to education.

His work involves building and bringing computers to schools and running them on solar power. He creates a local network within the classroom, hooks it up to batteries and solar power and in under 40-minutes of arriving at a school can have children looking at information on the internet. The computers are made from locally sourced parts, so if something goes wrong, the children don’t have to wait weeks or months for something to be shipped.

The two winners don’t just have the Bob Christian Award in common – Ken was so impressed with Charles’ projects that he has helped to fund one of the projects in Nepal.

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service

The Foshan Experience In May 2010, a group of High School students went to visit an orphanage in Foshan.

Leading them out was Marty Schmidt – a veteran of over 70 visits. Here, they share their intimate thoughts, reflections and hopes from a life-changing visit

Marty Schmidt – High School teacher

M

y highlight of the Foshan weekend was meeting a young woman named Ocean, who graduated from high school and is attending college, thanks to our girls scholarship fund. She is majoring in primary school education and Chinese. She also is passionately intent on extending her grace and purpose to others, whether it be babies at the orphanage or arranging a tutoring service at her college for children at a nearby primary school. While at the orphanage I invited Ocean to walk up one floor to visit an 84-year old retired primary school teacher, whose optimism and candor speak of a life well-lived. At one point, I asked her, “What advice do you have for aspiring teachers like Ocean?” She paused for a moment and then with hands held open said, “If you love your students, they will love you.” With her characteristic beaming smile, Ocean responded: “You are my role model.” This experience comes at a tough time for Ocean. Her 54-year old mother is struggling to survive cervical cancer and her 74-year old father has difficulty providing for his family.

May Ocean have the courage to endure the present hardships with hope for the future.

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Robbieanna Leung

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was a freshman nervous with excitement and anxious at the unknown when I had entered the Foshan Orphanage for the first time. Amidst the chaos and beauty of 80 plus babies stealing our hearts, four nurses scrambling from room to room and 20 English World Cultures classmates swooning over the babies, my eyes were still very focused on me. I saw physical deformities and mental conditions that shocked and scared me. I saw nurses running around, hastily feeding and clothing babies and wondered why they didn’t hold the babies like we did.

I saw ‘my’ cute baby replace my insecurities with peace as she delighted in my unconditionality. The experience was magic and affected me so much it never left my mind.

Or heart.

to the cutest baby, because I suddenly saw each as God’s beloved. I saw the love and emotional exhaustion behind the nurses’ hasty feedings and disciplinary reprimands. I saw broken hearts yearning for attention and love behind every ear-piercing tantrum and cry. Within my arms, feeble and aching from carrying babies all day, I saw a precious life that deserved to be carried. As a baby walked around waving and saying, “Bye,” eliciting many “awww”s, I saw scars of desertion when she was unable to mimic my “Hi!”. In the distance I saw an older child, Hong Mei Mei, longingly watch as we played with cute babies while she fed babies with the nurses.

The stench of injustice and bleeding hearts was unbearable.

In the midst of revisiting familiar scars from my first orphanage visit, my frustrated focus began to shift until I saw them, instead of me. But this time, it wasn’t only the babies. I saw six senior girls, passionately brainstorming a better orphanage system, dreaming of a better world for the children. I saw a toddler squealing with delight while playing ball with seven year old Micah. I saw two local women radiant as they cradled the sleeping babies in their arms. I saw a young orphan tightly hug Jenny and whose selective vulnerability was returned with loving patience. I saw Mr. Schmidt beam and connect with old friends in the neighborhood with fresh excitement, albeit nearing his 70th visit to the orphanage in nine years.

In May 2010, my desire to return to the orphanage was fulfilled. Slightly disheartened, I saw that the orphanage was the same – rooms filled a sea of babies, seven year old mattresses, an occasional nurse rushing through and fifteen pairs of eyes that focused on whoever entered the room – however, this time, I think I saw ‘them’ more than me. No longer was I a magnet

How did we get here? What have – or haven’t – we done that resulted in the abandonment of helpless babies? What are – or are we not – doing that would cause someone’s reality to be a mere existence in a crib, row after row, woe after woe; a mere face to be hastily fed, changed and stared at – and then to be called lucky for getting that mere ounce of personal attention?

The orphanage was the same – it was magic. Once again I had seen how service scarred us all in the most beautiful of ways, offering the gifts of love, hope and a unified, fiery passion for justice. My head was buzzing, struggling with how we wrong others, but before me, my heart saw everything that was right with the world.

Genny Chin

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ying in my arms fast asleep was a baby, she was normal in every way except that one of her hands is shaped like a foot.

A birth defect, the nurse said. Although this was my first visit to Foshan, the moment clicked as I first stepped into the orphanage and was surrounded by babies and toddlers. Before my visit I was curious: I had heard so many life-transforming stories being told by those who visited and I was curious what impact Foshan would have on me, especially someone who has been on many service trips.

Foshan is unlike any other service trip as it is ultimately what you make out of it. We were given freedom in deciding whether to be engaged in many babies or stay loyal to one. We could play with them, cuddle them, feed them, or simply watch their

fluttering eyelashes as they fall asleep. I chose to shower my attention on this particular girl who won my empathy as she was the only child in the crib who didn’t fight for my attention. The stony empty stare bothered me. Her gaze did not belong to a 10-month old lively baby, but rather an experienced old man. That to me did not seem right. Throughout the day her stony expression continued and she didn’t even crack a smile as I tickled her. I only realized she was attached to me when she sniffled – this pitiful little cry – as I left her in the crib. Leaving her broke my heart.

As she fell asleep in my arms the next day, I looked at her not as a baby in an orphanage, but as a girl who will be adopted and have a bright future. This is when I realize the ‘secret’ of Foshan.

service

Becky Mak

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n the bus home from the Foshan Orphanage I realized, happily, that I was feeling the complete opposite of what my ninth grade self felt on her way back to Hong Kong on my first Foshan trip. My experiences from my freshman year had evoked despair and distress in me. During that weekend in November 2006 I had spent all three days with mentally disabled orphans. At the end of the weekend, I was physically and emotionally drained and I could not stop wondering furiously about why such sweet children were spending their youth and teenage years in the dark and dank room. No matter how hard I looked, I could not find hope in their situation of having to grow up without the personal attention and care that all children need in their lives.

Four years later, I stepped onto the same third floor that all the mentally disabled children live on. It took only a few seconds before I felt little hands pulling me and heard little voices calling “jie jie” (“older sister” in Cantonese). But instead of selfishly hogging my attention, the children who had reached me first were actually guiding me towards the other children who were unable to make their way to the door, so that my attention would reach all the children. The love the children showed each other, despite having rarely experienced it themselves, was overwhelming and inspirational.

This weekend in May 2010 reaffirmed what I have learned since my first trip to Foshan four years ago: there is hope in this world – it lies within every single one of us, because we have the power to make a difference.

I am no longer consumed by sadness when I hear about injustices of our world: I am now filled with a sense of duty to spread the love, and ultimately, the hope.

Rachel Kim After four years of wondering whether teaching English and holding babies are examples of service I’ve come to the conclusion that yes, they are. The first time I went to Foshan I took care of a young girl with a tumor in her back. She cried when I looked away and stared deep into my eyes when I talked to her. She grabbed my hair when I bent over her and slept peacefully when I played with her ear. She was incredible and she made me feel like the most important person in the orphanage.

Now I understand that all this little girl needed was some attention and love. She helped me realize that even a young freshman like myself then could make someone so happy for just a moment.

Recently I returned to Foshan as a senior and met an infant named Ayi. Her face was perfectly round and her fingers and toes were delicate. Her round tummy and her plump little lips were adorable. Ayi has a bump on top of her head. Whether she has a tumor or a ‘water head’ I don’t know. Whether Ayi will ever get adopted I don’t know. All I know is that Ayi and I had a lot of fun that weekend playing with my bracelet, listening to my horrible singing, holding each other and laughing together. I also know that by playing with her and holding her I showed Ayi that the world really isn’t that horrible a place. I showed her the love and compassion she needed to feel.

Jessica Jordan

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pplying to college was no easy feat. I chose to write my common application about the one event that ignited my passion for service and for helping others. It seems pretty selfish that I used this as a showcase for myself in the college application process, however I chose it because it was such a meaningful event. The event sprouted my passion for service and for communicating today’s needs in the world: “I cannot understand how any person could see with his or her own eyes what I witnessed and not be drawn to make a difference for these children.

How could it be that people with an awareness of this situation have allowed these circumstances to continue? If you know about it, why wouldn’t you fix it? I know my questions may seem naïve, I am still an idealist and I hope I always will be. Although my fundamental understanding of the world has grown and developed since this experience, I am

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Ellie Furuya

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fter getting past the absurdly long immigration lines, we arrived in China. It was pouring outside. Conveniently, cheap and low quality umbrellas were being sold at the exits. I was carrying one of my mother’s favorite non-waterproof duffel bags and an expensive SLR camera: a valued possession that a special someone had trusted me with for that weekend. I handed the woman 10 RMB and grabbed an umbrella. I ran through the endless bullets of water and made it onto the bus relatively dry with all my possessions intact. Not until later did I realize the value this experience would have in my Foshan journey.

The weekend went by in a surreal blur. I had made it my goal to get a genuine smile out of each child I spent time with, but I didn’t have enough time to hold each one. As I tucked away a baby that had fallen asleep in my arms, children in surrounding cribs started crying furiously, reaching their tiny arms out towards me. Never in my life had I felt so incapable of carrying out such a seemingly simple duty. All they needed was someone to hold them. Here were at least eight parentless children crying alone in their cribs and I only had one pair of hands, feet and eyes. After each day at the orphanage, one particular question tormented me: is it wrong to give these children a momentary glimpse of being loved and cared for, only to snatch it away?

still struggling with how poverty and injustice can exist so prevalently in this world and it appears so many people simply want to ignore it. After leaving Foshan this need for me to speak for individuals without a voice has expanded to serve other causes. The desire to speak up for China’s unwanted females, for the suffering people in Darfur and for my people in Colombia who are being blackmailed and kidnapped by the FARC, is what I found in Foshan. I have come to the conclusion that my life’s task is to speak for those whose voice is unheard.”

I would recommend every freshman take ‘Humanities 1 in action’, not just because of the trip to Foshan but because the class offers an experience you can’t get anywhere else in the world. The young generations of today need to learn about current events and world needs and realize that it’s our generation that needs to change the world or watch it crumble.

‘Humanities 1 in action’ is more than just a class, it’s an opportunity to take a look at something larger than our daily lives as HKIS students. It’s a moment in the day where we become aware of the responsibility we have as global citizens.

I found myself angry about all the world’s problems. What could I do to make a difference? I was only one person and these problems were of such an extraordinary magnitude in comparison to me. I remembered my first day in China as I ran through the rain protecting my things. I realized that I was that insubstantial umbrella. The raindrops were the world’s countless issues.

My ‘things’, were really the children I was protecting. I did everything that I could to provide one child with true love and compassion, and that made all of the difference.

Foshan – a symbol of hope and learning Service is one of the key learning principles of HKIS. The experiences shared by the faculty and students brings into sharp focus the true meaning of tw of our SLRs – contributing to society and spirituality. The HKIS Annual Fund put this into action and we would be delighted and grateful if you would consider a gift to help this work continue apace. You can find more information on page 25.

DragonTales 17

alumni update

Alumni Happy Hour in Hong Kong Hyde Lounge, Hong Kong – October 21, 2010 It’s always good to gather with old friends and make some new ones. The last Alumni Happy Hour did all that, and more. The Hyde Lounge in Central, Hong Kong, was the latest watering hole to see a gathering of HKIS family, old and new. The ever present HKIS Alumni Association sponsored the drinks and before long the conversations were flowing.

der Terence An ’79 oo Kenneth K

el ’68,

7, Peter Fish

nt Abel ’7 son ’82, Gra

Many alums attended, aincluding former president of the Alumni Association Ken Koo ’79, Peter Fishel ’68, Grant Abel ’77 and a whole host of alums from the class of 2003.

There will be more alumni gatherings coming up soon, so keep an eye out for news via our Facebook page, through our website and also on Twitter.

Elizabeth Liang ’04, Jane Sit ’03, Natasha Khan ’03, Erin Yeh ’03

Kenneth Koo ’79, Rohini Balani Chotirmal ’89, Cynthia Shek ’89 and Joyce Yin ’89

18 DragonTales

ik ’86, , Derek Kw ordinator) er Leung ’98 o C s n o ti a lumni Rel and Fletch Irene Loh (A ’96, Karen Chin ’97 g en h C a Mari

8 and Derek

ung ’9 Fletcher Le

Cynthia Shek ’8 9, Rohini Balani Joyce Yin ’89 Chotirmal ’89 and

Karen Chin ’97 and Natasha Khan ’03

Karen Chin

Laibond Chen

’98 cher Leung ’97 and Flet

g ’03, Natasha

Khan ’03, Jane

Kwik ’86

Alexander Lo, Timothy Chang, Laibond Cheng, Natasha Khan, Erin Yeh – All from Class of 2003

Sit ’03

h Timothy C

er Lo ’03

5, Alexand

on Chan ’0 ang ’03 , R

DragonTales 19

news

New Head of School for HKIS On November 8, 2010 HKIS announced its new Head of School. Kevin Dunning will join HKIS in July 2011. Here’s the news and background from an exciting announcement

Kevin Dunning has welcomed the opportunity to lead the school. He said, “I am overjoyed to be joining HKIS, truly the pre-eminent international school in Asia.

It has a record of excellent results thanks to the great foundations of faculty, administration and parent support at every level. I fully embrace HKIS’ Mission and Student Learning Results, which are the foundation upon which the successes – past, present, and future – of its students is built.

“I look forward to continuing that good work and helping HKIS to advance. My wife Mary and I are eager to join this diverse and engaged community and to working with HKIS’ excellent students, faculty, staff and alumni.”

S

ince the departure of Richard Mueller as Head of School, HKIS has been in the warm, experienced and extremely capable hands of David J. Condon. However, Mr. Condon will join Canadian Academy in Kobe Japan as Headmaster next year and so the search for a new Head of School has been underway.

Diligently managed, the search has been a major discussion point in the HKIS community. But patience has paid off and a new Head of School will be joining HKIS in July of 2011. Say hello to Mr. Kevin Dunning...

With over 32-years’ experience as an educator, Kevin is currently the Executive Director of Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School in Las Vegas, Nevada - the largest Lutheran school in the United States and the largest private school in Nevada. He has served in this role since 2001 and before that was Principal from 1998.

Under his leadership, Mr. Dunning’s current institution has seen a threefold increase in student enrollment, a dramatic growth in physical facilities, and the implementation of a one laptop-one student environment.

20 DragonTales

Mr. Dunning has been a teacher and educational administrator for his entire career. Following his graduation from Concordia University Chicago, he went on to earn an MA in Government and Politics from St. John’s University in New York.

In 2009, Kevin Dunning was presented the Master Educator Award by Concordia University, Nebraska, and the prestigious Paul Lange Award by the Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools. In December of this year, Concordia University Chicago will award him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his service to education.

Commenting on the announcement, Abbi DeLessio, Chair of the Search Committee, said, “A comprehensive international search for HKIS’ next Head of School has been underway since March 2009. The Search Committee and Board of Managers are pleased that our school has attracted a new leader with such outstanding personal character, talent and educational experience, and one who will passionately support our Mission and Student Learning Results.”

Chair of the HKIS Board of Managers, Doug Werth, added, “The Board of Managers and the Head of School Search Committee very much appreciate the support of the wider HKIS community during the search process. Kevin is an outstanding educator bringing rounded educational and leadership experience to HKIS. We look forward to him joining our school and leading it to the next level of excellence”.

Kevin will take over from current Head of School, David J. Condon, in July 2011 and lead the school beginning with the 2011/12 academic year.

Board of Managers Chair, Doug Werth, said, “We are extremely grateful to D.J. Condon for his leadership and support throughout this school year and are confident that the transition from Mr. Condon to Mr. Dunning will be a smooth and productive one. The Board of Managers and the Head of School Search Committee very much appreciate your support. Please join us in welcoming Kevin and Mary to the Hong Kong International School family.”

alumni update

Football Focus Nothing like a good kick-about to get the entertainment flowing.

When the unbeaten HKIS Boys Soccer Team met the Alumni led team, that’s exactly what happened

Spencer Chiu ’93

HKIS Boys Soccer Team vs. HKIS Alumni Soccer Team

S

ince we all read about the magnificent achievements of the undefeated HKIS Boys soccer team in winning the Hong Kong Boys Division 1 Championship, a bunch of HKIS alumni decided to see for ourselves just how good the Boys Team were on the pitch. And we weren’t interested in watching – we wanted to play against them!

On a hot and blistering afternoon in June, a mixed group of the HKIS Boys A, B and C teams players met an HKIS alumni led team for a friendly game of soccer on the perfect artificial grass pitch in Tai Tam. We say perfect as many alums remember playing on the not-so-perfect natural pitch during our time at HKIS. Although the idea of an alumnus vs. current school team merited an enthusiastic response, in reality, along with the 34 degrees Celsius heat, some alumni ultimately decided to sit this one out. This meant there was space for a few friends to join in, so with Spencer Chiu ’93, Henry Chien ’92, Pravesh Narain ’92, and Howard Tang ‘94, along with some of their soccer buddies, it was game on.

As soon as the whistle was blown, great passing, hustling, and rough tackles from both sides made the game fun. The alumni led team scored the first goal and at one stage was 2-1 up. Then the HKIS boys team decided it was time to show their championship form and turned up the already stifling heat. Some great goals and teamwork later, the game ended with the HKIS boys team coming out on top with a 4-2 win.

For me as alum, it was a great day connecting with the school and current students and as a result we are looking to make this happen again. In the mean time, if there are any HKIS alumni soccer players in Hong Kong who are interested to play soccer, do get in touch with me, Spencer Chiu, via spencerchiu@gmail. com and we may be able to make this a regular game.

DragonTales 21

news

Dr Jane Goodall returns to HKIS We first welcomed Jane Goodall to HKIS two years ago. This time, she came back to visit the Repulse Bay campus to share stories of growing up, working in the wild and peace

J

ane Goodall visited Hong Kong again on her annual pilgrimage around the world to promote peace and environmental awareness.

Never spending more than three weeks in any one place, Dr Goodall spends as much time as possible on the road to get the message across that the environment matters. Instrumental in this is the ‘Roots and Shoots’ program, aimed at children around the world to help educate them about the environment and to generate understanding between cultures.

HKIS alum Calvin Lo was instrumental in bringing Jane Goodall to the school first time around, so this time he was an invited guest, sharing the experience with so many from the Upper Primary and beyond, as HKIS opened its doors to the wider community to share the visit from one of the most inspirational people of our time. A host of other schools from around Hong Kong were invited and attended Dr Goodall’s presentation.

Jane Goodall was appointed a ‘Messenger of Peace’ by the United Nations in 2002 and during this visit to HKIS she took time to record a video that was shown around the world, for International Peace Day on September 19, that talked about her projects that are planting seeds of global peace through ‘Roots and Shoots’.

We hope to see Dr Jane Goodall back at HKIS again in the future!

22 DragonTales

Jane Goodall arrives to some fantastic Peace Banners

HKIS welcomed schools from across Hong Kong to share the occasion – these kids came from Canadian International School

There was a whole lotta hugs waiting for Dr. Jane at HKIS

No shortage of questions!

The Girl Scouts were pleased to meet Dr Jane...

and share their story of how they turned waste plastic bags into reusable bags and raised money by selling them

DragonTales 23

news

Calvin and Emily Lo next to Dr Bruce Kelsh, Uppper Primary Principal

24 DragonTales

ClassNotes Welcome to the latest updates of who’s been where, for how long, when they were here and how long they’ve been there! It’s a bumper crop of ClassNotes this issue.

We’ve been contacted by so many people we’d like to say a big thank you to all. If there is someone in particular you’re trying to get in touch with, let us know and we’ll try our best to help establish and reignite those connections.

If you want to be included in ClassNotes and let everyone know where you are and what you’re doing, get in touch with Irene Loh via alumni@hkis.edu.hk

Get involved! www.facebook.com www.twitter.com/HKIS www.hkis.edu.hk

DragonTales 27

classnotes

Theodore (Ted) Loh ’82 March 9, 1964 - 2010

I In Memoriam

n September, we lost Ted Loh ’82, who had been battling liver cancer since his diagnosis at the end of last year. Ted left behind a wife and three school-aged children.

We are saddened to hear of these losses since the last issue of Dragon Tales. Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and classmates of our former students

Julie Noethlich Carlson ’89 October 6, 1971 - 2010

J

ulie Noethlich Carlson, 38, of Sebring, Fla., passed away July 25, 2010, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly.

She is survived by her husband, Jeff Carlson; son, Logan Alexander; daughter, Morgan Ashley; parents, Neal and Marilyn Noethlich of Estero, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Annie Noethlich of Sebring; sister and brother-in-law, Shelley and Christopher Toulson of Weston, Florida; parents-in-law, Bill and Donna Carlson of Sebring; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Stacy Carlson of Tampa; nieces, Lauren and Heather Toulson; and nephews-in-law, Trey, Jacob and Jon Luke Carlson.

Julie graduated from Hong Kong International School and University of South Florida, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

She embraced life, loved music and she touched, in a special way, everyone who knew her. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

The funeral service was held on Friday, July 30, 2010, at First United Methodist Church, Sebring, Florida. Donations in memory of Julie may be made to Susan G. Koman for the Cure or Lance Armstrong Foundation Endowment.

While we are always sad to hear the news, if you would like to share a passing, please contact us via alumni@hkis.edu.hk

28 DragonTales

Where are they now?

Former Faculty Update Dave Kohl High School Art Teacher 1973 – ’80

D

ave is retired from the classroom, and researching his third book (his second book was the 2007 ‘Dragon Tales’ collection of HKIS alumni stories). He is now researching the history of the Missouri Synod Lutheran missions in China for its centennial in 2013. HKIS was founded as part of that mission in 1965 and opened in 1967. Lois Voeltz (1973-80 & 1996-03) is also involved in the research. Anyone with interest or materials (like old photos, background stories and information) is welcome to contact Dave directly.

Contact: dkohl@CU-portland.edu.

Victor Guy High School Band Teacher 1970 – ’72

M

y name is Victor Guy but at the time I was teaching at HKIS I was known as Victor Lee. I was the Band teacher at HKIS and worked with and was mentored by Werner Von Behren. It was the beginning of my teaching career and much of what I learned at HKIS I carried on throughout my years as a teacher. I returned to Vancouver, Canada in 1972 to pursue my Master’s Degree at University of British Columbia and in 1973 I was hired by the Vancouver School Board to teach at Britannia Secondary. The music superintendent at that time thought I would be a perfect fit at Britannia because its student body was 90% Chinese and that I had taught in HK and could speak Cantonese!

Anyways later on I became Fine Arts department head and much of what Werner taught me stood in good stead in showing me how to become an effective department. head let alone in becoming a decent teacher. My 2 years at HKIS are some of my fondest memories of my teaching career. At HKIS we started the first high

A faculty children’s birthday in 1979. Families represented are Voeltz, Kohl, and Van Andel

school jazz band in Hong Kong and it appeared on TVB’s program “Enjoy Yourself Tonight”. In 1972 HKIS won its first ever Kiwanis Band festival competition by being named the best band in the competition. The prize money from the competition went to pay for a celebratory banquet in the Hilton Hotel The other activity that I did was being coach of the Boy’s Volleyball team which was a lot of fun for me.

So after 40 years I still managed to see some of my ex HKIS students, Robert Dorfman ’72, Liz ’71 and Jon Von Behren ’73, Alfred Siu ’73, Scott Lazenby ’72, Sandra Grimsley, Lynn Barrett.

I am married to a wonderful woman who is an artist and our son is a pediatric reconstructive surgeon in Montreal and is an assistant professor at McGill University and heads the surgical resident’s program.

I have been retired for 6 years now but still love teaching so I substitute teach in Vancouver. I play a lot now and perform in 2 university ensembles, a jazz band ensemble, my own sax quartet and I conduct the

North Vancouver Community Band and am the chief administrator of the British Columbia Band Association. So much for retirement!

Well HKIS, thanks for the wonderful memories and allowing me to be part of a great school. I have Bob Christian to thank for that!

Contact: victoria.w.yue@gmail.com

Dr. Mike Meyer High School English Teacher 1993 – ’98

I

am happily settled in Chicago since my return to the States. I taught Lit and Comp at DePaul University in the Lincoln Park area for the past ten years retiring in 2009. Now I am an editor for Rodopi Press Amsterdam and an author Lit Crit for several other presses including Palgrave Macmillan in London. Still loving Steinbeck and my most recent books are ‘The Essential Criticism of Of Mice and Men’ and ‘The Grapes of Wrath: A ReConsideration’. American Studies students

DragonTales 29

classnotes

take note – the latter is 2 volumes and over 900 pages long. Mrs. Kho would be proud!! Presently working on volumes on ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ set to appear in the fall and on ‘All the King’s Men’. The King’s Men volume is dedicated to my 1996 AP class at HKIS where we dissected that novel in detail and had so many great conversations. I have been able to add some of my former students on Facebook but would love to hear from more of you.

Come “Friend” me and write on my wall.

Sending my love. Doc Contact: mjonmeyer@gmail.com

Rev. Karl Boehmke HKIS chaplain and religion instructor 1967 – ’73

R

ev. Karl Boehmke has recently published ‘Forgiveness – Never Easy/Always Possible: Healing Rifts among Families, Friends and God’. A number of alums from those early years at HKIS have renewed Karl’s acquaintance through reading the book. For a look at the cover and to review some of the sample chapters, take a look at www.ForgivenessPossible.com.

Rev. Karl says “Many thanks and greetings to all!”

Contact: akboehmke@sbcglobal.net

Zita Thompson Elementary Teacher – Grade 4 and 5 1982 – ’93

T

he big countdown has begun….retirement is on the horizon with the end of this school year. For the past 17 years, I have been teaching at Westminster Christian School in Miami, Florida. I left HKIS with 18 boxes of personal education materials, and trust me, when I retire…

NOTHING EXCEPT my dictionary, Bible, and a very few desk items are following me home. I would like to hear from some of my former 4th and 5th grade students… where you live, how you are spending your time, are you single or married, have children, etc. Over the years, I have been tracked down by a few and often wonder about others. Two questions that I want 30 DragonTales

Cathy Stephens (centre) and family

answers for: Is Tony Welch still considering a career in government? And has William Stevenson posed for any other billboards? So Tony and William, are you out there somewhere? Do get in touch via my email below.

This summer, I had the opportunity to see and take care of my two grandchildren; Madeleine age 5 and Riley who was born this past August. One day, I would like to take them on a trip to Hong Kong, and yes, I do expect their parents to go as well!

With retirement, I will be able to hit the road “on the off-season “and also make it a point to attend some of our Hong Kong reunions.

We have a Florida group which gets together often ; soon, I will be able to make those on a regular basis. Keep those emails, Christmas cards and letters coming; and I hope to see many of you over the next few years in person.

Contact: zthompson@wcsmiami.org

Cathy Stephens Upper Primary and Middle School Teacher 1978 – ’82

I

taught in the Multi-Age Group program (grades 4, 5 and 6) known then as MAG. I have very fond memories of my years in Hong Kong, especially being a part of the

HKIS family. I’ve attached a picture of my family taken last summer. From left to right are my son-in-law Dave Mangian, my daughter Nicole Mangian, myself in the middle, my son Tyler and my husband, Jon (whose job with Caterpillar is what brought us to Hong Kong).

We were transferred back to the United States in December 1982 and Nicole was born 4 months later. Since that time, we have lived outside of Peoria, Illinois. I spent several years at home with the kids and returned to teaching in 1996. Presently I am the Facilitator of Media and Library Services for a large school district outside of Peoria. My daughter and sonin-law visited Hong Kong in 2009. While Dave attended an international law class there, Nicole explored the city where she was almost born. She ventured out to Repulse Bay and was warmly welcomed with a tour at HKIS. She posed for a picture with Carol Austria who was on the staff when I taught – how fun!

From the pictures it looks like the campus has really changed since I was there.

Jon and I hope to take a trip back to Hong Kong ourselves – it’s certainly on our todo list! I appreciate reconnecting with HKIS through Facebook and look forward to ClassNotes.

Contact: stephens.cathy@gmail.com

1977

Tom Burkard ’77 burkard@ygbc.org

ClassNotes H

ey there all ye long lost classmates!

News? We’ve moved our family to Okinawa in August and are enjoying the slower pace of island life, semi-tropical weather and a view of the ocean from our new home, just 90 minutes to Taiwan and two hours to Hong Kong. So, if you’re one of my long lost classmates, think about stopping through for a visit to Okinawa on your way in or out of Hong Kong.

Our oldest, Stephanie began her music major studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia this fall. Our remaining three teens are attending Okinawa Christian School International and finding it to be quite a change from home schooling and attending the Japanese public elementary school. My son and I are continuing our surfing, paddle boarding and I’ve begun building an 18-foot Hawaiian sailing outrigger. Some of you might recall that I built a 10-foot sailing outrigger for the science fair in Grade 9 at HKIS with classmate Dave Hockette. Love to get in touch with him again, but have no contact info for him. Are you out there Dave? Does anyone have a contact? It would be great if you could let me know.

I’ve recently taken the dive and opened a Facebook account, but with no promises to keep it updated very often. Oh yes, I also work! I’m continuing to grow my ADHD therapy business in Japan and am assisting with a new church plant here in Okinawa.

Blessings to you all!

1978

Richard Grayson ’78

drograyson@yahoo.com

I

’m currently working for ConocoPhillips in Houston coordinating inland barge movement of crude oil, refined products and special project movements. Bev and I celebrated 21 years together in 2010 – we have two great sons and four even better grandkids (I skipped a step). Enjoying

Facebook and the opportunities to keep in touch with old friends, and meeting new ones whose paths I crossed in Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong. It was truly exciting to run across John Torgerson who came to HKIS after I left but I found working in my group at CoP. John and I shared many stories of mutual friends. This year we attended Mardi Gras in New Orleans and I was invited to ride on the Baccawoppa float in the Krewe Of Bacchus, an opportunity I highly recommend.

Richard and Beverly Grayson

1979

Robert Piccus ’79

rapiccus@gmail.com

I

have been living in Bangkok with my girlfriend, Salisa, whom I met here and is a textile weaver, collector and designs her own style of Thai Sarong, skirts and other silk and cotton accessories.

I was investing in property for a while, then became a partner in a large pool lounge/ sports bar in the center of town. I also work as a consultant for small hotels assisting them in being more environmentally friendly and with yield management. I’m also in the process of organizing a charity to assist in collecting aluminum pull-tops from beverage cans, which we use to make ‘joints’ for artificial limbs. These are then donated to victims of unexploded ordnance in the countries bordering Thailand and have problems with many unexploded bombs left over from conflict. The pull tops are now collected in Thailand, where there

DragonTales 31

classnotes

is increasing awareness and I’m trying to increase awareness to include other Asian countries and the United States.

1980

Patrick Pang ’80

pepang@aol.com

W

e have only seen each other occasionally since our days at HKIS but my family met up with Terry Yau and and his family when we both flew to California for Fred Hall’s marriage to Sara in August 2010. Terry flew in from Toronto and I from Philadelphia. We’ve been friends since grade 9!

nest, along with the prospect of reinventing myself! Hard to believe it will be 30 years next year since we graduated from HKIS. How did that happen?

Barbara Semken Butler ’81 therichbutlers@gmail.com

I

am currently teaching kindergarten.

Rich and I have one lonely child left at home, Maggie, 15; a Taylor Swift fan, swimmer and all round great girl. Keenan is 19, out of the house, attending a local college and would like to be making millions asap. Lindsay is 22, married to an Asian who says I am more Asian than he is!

They live about an hour south of us, which is about an hour too far south! We’re doing well and looking forward to Atlanta!

the school for my junior and senior years, and will always feel an incredibly strong connection to South Bay Close, Repulse Bay and all of Hong Kong Island. Though my time there was brief, the relationships and impressions that I came away with are deep and unforgettable. I truly loved Hong Kong, its landscape, its pulse and mostly the people.

Deb Clark Craven ’81 debcraven@talktalk.net

I

moved to Ohio from Hong Kong after 8th grade where I graduated from high school in 1981 and Denison University in 1985 with a BA in Studio Art and English.

I then moved to England in 1986. Got married to Paul 1987 and we have two children, Luke aged 14 and Laura aged 7. I work from home and am the area co-coordinator for SUL Language Schools. Basically, I find host families for students coming over, mainly from France, but sometimes Russia. I also host and teach those kids myself at various times in the year.

Happy days! Terry Yau ’80, Sara Hall, Fred Hall ’80 and Patrick Pang ’80

1981

Class of 1981 – mark your calendars for our 30th reunion, which will be held August 5 - 7, 2011 in Atlanta. Hope to see you ALL there!

Sanda McMillan ’81

I

have been living in Denver since graduate school, which means I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else! I’m Director of Financial Planning & Analysis for MediaNews Group, the second largest newspaper company in the United States (by circulation size). For those of you who actually read newspapers, please continue to do so – and for those of you who don’t, please start!

The newspaper industry needs a little more time to reinvent itself in order to remain viable. I have a 19-year old daughter in college and am thoroughly enjoying my empty 32 DragonTales

Deb clark (far right) with husband Paul, and children Luke and Laura

Judi Smith Edgar ’81

I

t has been nearly 30 years since I graduated from HKIS in June 1981. I attended

Judi Smith Edgar ’81 and daughters Brooke and Luci

I attended university at Ithaca College and eventually moved to New York City. I began working there in the event planning business until I decided that retail was my true passion. Mercifully, in the meantime, I met my soul mate Jamie, and we have been married for nearly 21 years (11 November 1989). We have lived in our home for almost 19 years in Bedford New York, and we have two daughters; Luci aged 18 and Brooke aged 14. They are a freshman in college (Denison University, Granville, Ohio) and a freshman in high school (Fox lane High School, Bedford, New York).

I have kept up with several HKIS Alumni (Lynne Doolittle ’82, Ray Janssen ’83 and Paul Gilbert ’81) but I keep in closest contact with my dear friend, Lesli Summerlin Hammerschmidt ’84. She and her husband, Jerry, and their three children - Chelsea, Claudia and Lee - live in a neighboring town. It is so special because our families were friends and next-door neighbors in Hong Kong. We try to coordinate when our parents visit us so it is an extra special Hong Kong reunion giggling fest!

be used together or separately as storage, end tables, bookcases, etc. Note the stunning male model!

So far we’re having fun and making progress. It beats working! We’re also launching this cute little desk object made

Judi Smith Edgar and family; husband Jamie, Luci and Brooke

For the past ten years I have been a buyer and the display person for a lovely tabletop and kitchen shop called ‘Consider The Cook’ located about a half-mile from our home. Three years ago we opened a second shop in the nearby Connecticut town called New Canaan. The business is thriving and I love it so much! My husband works in international security surveillance but started out for the first 15 years of his adult life in documentary films and news production. He is a great person and I am a lucky woman!

Barry Michael ’81 bmic170325@aol.com

I

’m doing well in Seattle, working for a bank and we have survived the recession... so far! I’m enjoying my travels in visiting with former Hong Kong alums. I have lots of photos from HKIS and particularly from 1978 – 81 and more recent photos from Hong Kong on Facebook. Had a blast hooking up with Linda Reizman ’80 and Bog (Peter Tan ’82) at the ‘Dead Fish’ restaurant in Vallejo! It has been a wonderful experience for me to reconnect to my former classmates, some that I haven’t

seen, or have spoken with in 30 years. My life has become so much more and the great memories of Hong Kong are returning – to grow up there was truly a blessing.

1982

Roger Cormier ’82

RogerLCormier@gmail.com

R

oger Cormier ’82 celebrates 20 years as co-host of the ‘Midwest Outdoors’ television show where he also handles advertising sales and is Associate Editor of the company’s publications. He recently wrapped up production of a horror film set in the Minnesota Northwood for which he penned the screenplay and played a minor role. When not working, Roger is busy with wife Katie raising two active boys, coaching youth football and baseball, and pursuing a passion for big-game fishing in the Sea of Cortez near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Other than that, the biggest change is Sheila Baker Gujral ’82 forcing me to join Facebook and seeing all these old faces from HKIS. I’ll try to get more active!

Check out the goodies here: www.theutilitycollective.com

Paul Harn ’82 info@harnn.com

I

just launched a new company in San Francisco with product designer Eric Pfeiffer. The Utility Collective makes and sells furniture and design objects for the home – all sustainable, toxin free and crafted in the United States.

have just opened a new multi-brand shop call Panach in Central Festival, Phuket, Thailand. This concept shop contains Harnn, which is a body care, skin care and spa product brand with three of our new brands: Vuudh (home fragrance), Tichaa (certified organic herbal tea) and Panach (contemporary Asian fashion).

Our first product – Mix Box Set – is a set of six well-crafted nesting boxes that can

Photos are available in our Facebook page.

Do take a look!

Steve Piccus ’82 stevepiccus@yahoo.com

I Linda Reizman ’80, Peter ‘Bog’ Tan ’82 and Barry Michael ’81 show off their ink

from reclaimed lumber. We’ ll release these in limited editions as we find cool wood to reclaim.

This prototype is made from a scrap of walnut left over from making a dining table.

DragonTales 33

classnotes

Cornelia Puls Fabre ’82

Shannon Sullivan ’82

conniefabre@cox.net

skiyokos@sbcglobal.net

I

am now living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

This is my son Austin Sigmund Fabre.

He turned three years old on November 29.

In the picture we were at a farmers market in New Jersey visiting my parents where he got hold of this bread and he thought he’d scored the biggest doughnut ever!

Young Austin Sigmund Fabre ready to tackle the biggest donut of his life!

Dave MacQuarrie ’82 davemacquarrie@hotmail.com

H

i all! I’m currently living and working in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Siobhán for just over five years now and we have two amazing girls – Aisling aged four and Caoimhe aged two. We are overjoyed to be expecting our third child in January!

I work as a live sound technician and still occasionally as a musician and my wife teaches children with special-needs.

I have really enjoyed re-connecting with a lot of my friends from Hong Kong over Facebook recently. I still remember those carefree days with a mixture of awe and disbelief. What a time and place to grow up in! Anyway, I feel immensely blessed every day for my wonderful family and for those astonishing formative years. Cheers all!

Dave MacQuarrie with wife Siobhán and children Aisling and Caoimhe

34 DragonTales

S

hannon Sullivan has been travelling around the world and reuniting with HKIS folks in all corners of the globe. It started with Bruce Chiu, Michael O’Keefe ’82, Nick Champeau, Karen Karr Nimarota ’81 and Leslie Arnold Atkinson ’82 in Washington DC last December and a get together we had in San Francisco in the spring. Business then took her to Hong Kong in June where great friends Karen Karr Nimarota and Janice Karr Walter flew out from Qatar to meet up with her. Soon after, she produced a large conference and had the pleasure of having HKIS alumnus Erik Weihenmayer ’86 as the keynote speaker. She said, “He is a true inspiration.

He brought them to their feet and really made them think.”

In September, Shannon returned to Asia and saw Andy Chorowsky while in Hong Kong. Work again took her to Germany where she met up with Karen Staniek Gerhardt ’81 in Munich. Karen was also there traveling on business from Frankfurt. “Can you believe it? She has lived in Germany now for many years, used to work for a beer distributor before that and had never been to Oktoberfest? I was so excited to be out with her. I do manage to see her once a year at Oktoberfest time, but this time she was able to go. Both of us dressed in traditional dirndls, because that is the only way you can go and drink very large beers.”

1984

May Ho-Chang 84’

chang_home@yahoo.com

G

eorge Chang ’84 and May Ho-Chang ’84 welcomed fellow transplant Francois Duchastel ’84 to Shanghai over lunch at Blue Frog, Jin Qiao in Pudong, Shanghai. Francois’ wife and two boys will join him in December in Shanghai.

Right: May Kan 84’ and May Ho-Chang 84’ celebrated George Chang’s ’84 birthday in Shanghai

May Ho-Chang ’84, Francois Duchastel ’84 and George Chang ’84

1986

Derek Kwik’86

ktderek@hotmail.com

O

n the back of my vivid runs across the world’s most extreme places on Earth - namely seven deserts, two jungles and one mountain - I have been moonlighting as a motivational speaker to corporations and local governments as well as an inspirational storyteller to children’s schools. With only a backpack of survival gear and my own two feet, I return to my

Above: Derek Kwik ’86 – is he about to break out into song?

Teresa (Devroe) Brown ’87 teresa.brown@uscm.org

M

y husband, Michael, and I have been married for almost 19 years. We live in Bowling Green, Ohio, where we are both full-time staff with a Christian organization, Campus Crusade for Christ. Michael is also finishing up his PhD in Higher Education Administration at Bowling Green State University.

Derek Kwik ’86, back in the school environment

home in Hong Kong after each journey, loaded with innovative and engaging experiences to share with my audiences at all age levels. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak at TEDx in November 2010.

In my spare time, I have also started the production of my second book due out next year. Unlike my motivational book, ‘Kwik Fix’, my upcoming piece will be an inspirational book for the younger generation. It is a book that I wish I could have read when I was a kid. I have had so much fun creating the framework for the concept, storyboard and visuals. My aim is to coach the next generation to appreciate that life’s accomplishments require leadership, courage and empowerment for action.

Meanwhile, I remain in Hong Kong continuing my career in venture capital and raising funds for my charity, The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If anyone wishes to connect with me, I am on Facebook or you could simply email.

where I was a sophomore in High School! I am currently teaching in a 3 – 4 combination class educating students who are just like I was as an HKIS elementary student from 1977 – 1981. There are many things that are remarkably different and improved at HKIS, the biggest being the addition of the Middle and High School campuses in Tai Tam. Other things are just as they were. In fact, I’m now colleagues with two teachers who were here when I was a student. Strange! I’ve played volleyball with my fellow teachers in the same gym where I used to play in the Christmas basketball tournament. Deja-vu!

Right: Teresa Brown ’87 with husband Michael Below: The Brown family

Besides loving my job at HKIS, it’s great to be back in such an exciting city. My husband, David, and I love the fast pace of this city. There’s always so much to see and do.

It’s been a great move for both of us.

1988

Debby Tuck ’88

deb70@yahoo.com

1987

I

Carrie (Horan) Strine ’87 cstrine@hkis.edu.hk

I

was in High School when my family left Hong Kong in the spring of 1985 and I knew for certain that I wanted to return to some day. Well, that day has come! After 16 years of as an educator, including living and teaching in Poland, Israel, and Jordan, I find myself teaching in the same building

We have five children: Lauren aged 17, Justin aged 15, Logan aged 12, Ethan aged eight and we recently adopted Jameson, aged two.

We are also licensed foster parents and presently have two foster children living with us. I enjoy getting updates from HKIS alum!

Carrie Strine ’87 with husband David and a genetically modified mouse

t was probably the last century, since I last wrote! I have been living in New York City since 1996 and also lived in Cleveland, Los Angeles, Miami and London in between my years in New York. I am no longer working in the sports world and now work at a private school in Manhattan, really enjoying it and found my calling. Coincidentally, a new young student this year came from HKIS and recited Mandarin songs to me!

DragonTales 35

classnotes

Besides working, I’ve been fortunate to be able to do a lot of traveling and have the most amazing memories from the many beautiful countries I’ve visited over the years. My brother Dan ’90, lives in Westfield, New Jersey with his wife and two young sons. My parents are living in South Florida. Our class had our 20th year reunion a couple of summers ago and it was great to see so many faces and catch up with so many people whom I haven’t seen since graduation.

And now with Facebook, it’s been great re-connecting with so many old friends, even from elementary school. People say college are the best years of your life, but living in Hong Kong with my years at HKIS definitely were some of the best years I’ve had.

Hall in Connecticut and Piedmont High School near Berkeley, California.

I was back in Asia for two years of college at Sophia University, Tokyo, and two more at Occidental College in Los Angeles, majoring in Political Science. I lived and worked in Buenos Aires during the privatization of so many South American telecommunications markets, acquiring licenses and starting new ventures. I returned to the US to earn an MBA at Emory University in 2002 and worked as a consultant for Honeywell International.

I met my husband, Michael, while working on my single engine pilot certification. We married and started a family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We are now living in Indialantic, a small surf town on the eastern coast of Florida with our three children – Connor aged six, Gordon aged four and Michaela aged two - enjoying the outdoors and loving life.

1989

Bonnie Tucker ’89

Nuggetlab@aol.com Debby Tuck ’88 and companion on a safari at the Serengeti, Tanzania

I

just want to update HKIS that I am now living back in Hong Kong. After being away for 20 years (more or less) I decided

Lincoln Chan ’88 lincolnchan80@hotmail.com

M

y wife, Mika Yamaguchi, and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this past summer by spending a vacation in Europe where we saw Spain, Italy and France. I met Mika 12 years ago during a stopover in Heidelberg, Germany on my way to Spain. So our trip was meaningful for the two of us.

Kim (Gibby) Whitlow ’88 kywhitlow@gmail.com

I

am so excited to be back in touch with so many old HKIS friends through Facebook – definitely the upside to all this technology!

Since I left Hong Kong in 1984 I have, like so many of you, bounced around the map.

I finished high school at Choate Rosemary 36 DragonTales

Lincoln Chan ’88 with wife, Mika, in Europe

to move back to the most exciting city in the world. What have I been up to since graduating from HKIS in 1989 ? Well, a lot!

I went to the University of Miami in Florida after graduating HKIS and obtained my degree in Marine Biology. I spent four years studying and tagging sharks in the Bahamas while living in Miami. After getting very tan and almost bitten several times, I decided on a career change.

I was accepted to Tufts University school of veterinary medicine and became a small animal vet. I have been practicing veterinary medicine for the past 11 years in Seattle and Tampa. This past summer I was offered the opportunity to help start up a small animal hospital in Tseung Kwan O. I packed my bags and my Labrador retriever and moved to Sai Kung. My veterinary hospital is Pets Central, Tseung Kwan O. If anybody is in the neighborhood, it would be great to catch up. I would also love to help the HKIS students learn more about veterinary medicine.

For those of you who remember my mother, Mrs Ilene Tucker (previously a guidance counselor at the HKIS high school), she is living in Gig Harbor Washington and doing great. She still comes to visit Hong Kong at least once a year. Hope to be able to get more involved with HKIS again.

Cynthia Shek ’89 cynthiashek@yahoo.com

I

have been living in Hong Kong since 1995. I am married with two daughters – Caitlin is aged five and will attend Primary One in 2011. Leticia is aged three and is currently in K1. I see Joy Lo ’89 almost everyday as our children attend the same kindergarten. Other alumni I am in touch with are Rohini Balani Chotirmal ’89, Joyce Yin ’89, Louise Fong ’92 and Yvonne Au ’89.

Yoshiko Abe ’89

F

or the past five years, I’ve been working in developing countries (although I find that some under that designation are actually way developed already) as a consultant on various Japanese government assistance projects.

The ones I’ve been very intensively involved in are the museum-building and running projects at the Sigiriya World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. It’s a great place to visit (palace on a summit of a cliff built by a mad king!) and of course the museum is amazing (take a look at www.sigiriyamuseum.org).

What else? I’ve been happily married for five years, and we are now trying to figure out which city to settle down and build a house in (we take things slowly!).

Shana McGivern ’89 shanstar670@gmail.com

I

have worked for Genesys Conferencing since August 2004. Starting January 2011, my son, Daniel will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in Norfolk, Virginia, studying Psychology. I am currently living in Vienna, Virginia, with my mom.

flood back. It feels good and even comforting like a pat on the back that I’m doing okay with my children in this unpredictable world we live in now.

1991

Bijoy Goswami ’91

hkis@bijoyshop.com

I

’m still in Austin and last visited Hong Kong in December 2010. Here’s a recent project I’m working on: www.ATXequation.com

1993

Liz Longley Komosa ’93

Peter and Thomas Kim, current students at HKIS

Kanan Sankalia Kappelman ’89 kkap71@yahoo.com

G

reetings from West Des Moines, Iowa. My husband and I have been in Iowa with our three cats for the past 14 years. Can’t believe I’ve been here that long – the experience has been wonderful.

We’ve spent the last several years travelling whenever we get the chance.

I am still working for the State of Iowa at the Department of Economic Development as a marketing manager. I am also pursuing my master’s degree in Health Care Administration. I’ve been to Hong Kong a couple of times in the last few years and it has been great to catch up with friends – Bonnie Tucker ’89 and Rohini Balani ’89 to name a few. Just wanted to say hi to all my friends! Hoping to make it back to Hong Kong again soon.

longley_liz@yahoo.com

M

y husband Tim and I welcomed our second child, Theodore Charles, on August 26, 2010. Teddy joins big sister Charlotte, aged three. We are still living in Washington.

1996

Shahriq Sheikh ’96

shahriq@gmail.com

S

hahriq and Patricia were married on Sunday, May 30, 2010. The happy ceremony was held in Malibu, California, with a beautiful sunset backdrop. The wedding was attended by their families and friends and many of Shahriq’s HKIS friends were there for this very special occasion.

Amongst them Andrew Fullerton ’96, Rishi and Sanjeev ’98, Mauricio Henandez ’97, Doug Sellers ’94, Dave Perdue ’96, Grant Kahler, Jillian Doman ’96, Mary Gilbert ’96, Louise Jordan, Catherine Martin and Shahriq Sheikh ’96 and his wife, Patricia

Soo Young Kim ’89 sookim4008@yahoo.com

O

ur family moved back to Hong Kong last year and my children – Thomas grade 8 and Peter grade 4 – are currently attending HKIS. It still feels like going back in time whenever I go to Repulse Bay campus. I find myself standing still and smiling from time to time when memories

DragonTales 37

classnotes

Brandon Mugar ’96, who was also one of the groomsmen.

Shahriq and Patty met three years ago when they were both studying at Columbia University, New York.

While in Chicago in October I had the chance to catch up with Sarah Immel Fielding ’96 and the rest of the Immel clan.

It was great to see them all again!

giselle.solco@anmstores.com

I

Sara Dallaire ’96 sara.dallaire@gmail.com

I

am currently getting my MBA at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Phoenix, Arizona. The school reminds me a lot of HKIS because of its international focus and the students are from all over the world!

Sara Dallaire ’96 and Sarah (Immel) Fielding ’96

Elly Eng ’96 ellyeng@mobiliahk.com

S

ince graduation, I went to Vanderbilt University and graduated in May 2000.

I lived in New York City for a year before moving back to Hong Kong in July 2001.

Currently, I run an online store (www. beautyheroes.com) selling imported cosmetics from the United States, United Kingdom and France.

Left to Right: The Immel family and Sara - Jenny ’00, John ’95, Sara ’96, Sarah ’96 and Jeff ’98

38 DragonTales

Karen Chin ’97

karenchin33@hotmail.com

T

Jeselle Solco-Chu ’96 came back to Asia in 2002 and soon enough I realized I really missed American food and products, which were all not available in Hong Kong. I had to resort to ordering online and asking friends and family coming to visit to bring it for me.

This was not only embarrassing but was such a hassle. So, I and a group of friends decided to open an American grocery store named A&M US Groceries located in the basement floor of Shun Tak Center which would fulfill all our needs and cravings right here in Hong Kong.

1997

en years after graduating from U.C. Berkeley with a Legal Studies Major and a Chinese Studies Minor, I have switched from a paralegal to a business woman. I have opened Karen’s Books and Arts Centre; and Karen’s Bridal and Image Consulting Centre. Joyful Heart Counseling Centre will be launched in January 2011. I am still single and enjoy volunteering in the Liberal Party. I also work exclusively with Joyful (Mental Health) Foundation founded by former actress Victoria Lam. You can keep in touch with me by calling 9071-6789 or dropping me an email.

1998

Elaine Chau Barker ’98 elainechaubarker@gmail.com

E

laine Chau ’98 got married on August 14, 2010 at her parent’s home in Hillsborough, California, to Edward Barker. Some HKIS attendees were Howard Chau ’00, Gareth Kwok ’00, Regina Pei ’98, Nichole Wong ’98, Mary Chen ’98, and Elaine Chau ’98 and Edward Barker on their wedding day

David Chen ’96. They now live in beautiful Sunnyvale, California. Feel free to keep in touch and drop us a line!

1999

Justin Hardman ’99 justin.hardman@gmail.com Right: Justin Hardman ’99 and Janet Yuen tied the knot on July 3, 2010 in Hua Hin Thailand

Below: Jason Ing, Justin Hardman, Dickie Mok, Andrew Galbraith, Jay Stanley - all class of ’99.

The photo replicates a prom photo memory!

2000

Laura O’Donnell ’00

lauraodonnell@bigpond.com

I

n 2007 I married Patrick McGrath and am now known as Laura McGrath. I have two beautiful girls - Lulu aged four and Chia almost three. I am currently studying for a second degree in Nursing; my first degree was in Business/Tourism. I have such great memories of my time spent in Hong Kong. I wish you all the best & send my regards to all the HKIS Alumni.

Grace Chen ’00 gracezchen@gmail.com

A

fter spending five years working in management consulting I have finally decided to step out and have recently quit my job so that I can go back to school! I’m currently taking pre-requisite courses and,

Nicole (Gibbs) Morrison ’99 gibbsies@hotmail.com

God-willing, I will be pursuing a career in occupational therapy. If anyone is ever in the New York area, I’d love to catch up!

Here’s a picture of a mini-reunion this past spring at the DC Zoo, where I got to see Stephanie Liu ’01, Keane Shum ’01, Stella Ma ’00, Art Wong ’00 and Allan Wong ’00.

It was great meeting the mini-Wongs, Violet and Dante, and subjecting the spouses (Chwan and Sarah) to our old madrigals recordings in the zoo parking lot!

2001

Lauren Tanner ’01

laurentanner@gmail.com

T

he Class of 2001 has decided to hold a reunion in New York City on July 30, 2011. For further information alumni can contact me directly via email.

Back, left to right: Grace Chen ’00, Stephanie Liu ’01, Chwan Lee, Sarah Wong Front: Keane Shum ’01, Stella Ma ’00, Art Wong ’00, Violet Wong, Allan Wong ’00, Dante Wong

I

attended HKIS from grade 2 through 10, years 1989 to 1997. On July 10, 2010, I married Andrew Morrison in a beautiful garden ceremony in West Vancouver, Canada. My brother, Mark Gibbs ’96, was in attendance.

Nicole Gibbs ’99 with Andrew Morrison on their wedding day

39

classnotes

2002

Katie Campo ’04

Rachel (Koehneke) Cahill ’02

campo.katie@gmail.com

K

atie Campo ’04 lives in Khartoum, Sudan, where she is a foreign service officer with US Department of State.

and try it out in Hong Kong for a year before deciding on that position. Currently working in Public Relations at Design Beginnings (furniture company). Because of the move back home not too sure of my relationship status right now, but I’m not engaged or married. Can’t wait to hear from everyone!

Kelly Lo ’06 kellylodesign@gmail.com

H Katie Campo ’04 with some friends from the United Nations Above: Rachel Koehneke ’02 and her husband Tim Cahill, now living in Tokyo,Japan.

Left: The happy day for Rachel and Tim - June 19, 2010 Running Y Ranch, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

2003

Jennifer Sundqvist ’03 jennifercsundqvist@hotmail.com

J

ennifer is back in her native Sweden, working for the Swedish Rugby Union, which of course means she now has a legitimate reason to talk about rugby all day!

2005

Matt Tanaka ’05 & Laura Wilcox ’05

ljwilcox@gmail.com

ello - it’s been a while! I just graduated from Parsons School of Design in May, took a three month vacation and am now in Hong Kong. I’ve only just moved back so I’m still setting up an interior design company called KellyLoDesign (so original, yes?). I currently have a couple projects I’m working on, three educational performing art centers, a residential apartment and I also serve as an interior design consultant for the Golden Resorts Group for their two casino hotels in Macau. Really excited to know how everyone is doing!

Right: Jessica Poon, Katharine Watson, Maika Lindsay, Laura Wilcox, Matthew Tanaka, Audrey Chee, Amanda Gallinat, Kai Nielsen (’05) at Matt and Laura’s wedding day, July 31, 2010 on Whidbey Island, Washington

2004

Stephanie Si ’04

steph.j.si@gmail.com Stephanie Si ’04 with mom and grandmother during Thanksgiving dinner last year!

2006

Kimberly Hu ’06

kimkimikimberly1987@gmail.com

H

ey guys! I just graduated from University of Southern California in May with a degree in Communications. Missing the Los Angeles weather, but it’s good to be home in Hong Kong. Got a job as an event planner for the Screen Actors Guild in Los Angeles, but decided to move back

David Vibert ’06

H

ey guys, its been ages! I’m ‘down under’ in Australia in probably the most boring town called Canberra. It’s pretty good down here, I’m at the University of Canberra in my final year reading International Studies. At Christmas I’ll be going to Shanghai to do an internship – let me know if any of you are going to be around there. During the middle of 2011 I really

hope to be going to the United Kingdom to start a fun career!

Charles Hong ’06

T

his is perfect procrastination material – for those of us still in school! I graduated from Georgetown this past May, majored in biochemistry. Just started first year of the MD program at WashU St. Louis School of Medicine and will graduate in 2014, if everything goes well. Please look me up if you’re in St. Louis... it’s kind of a boring city!

Mariana R. Rodriguez ’06

H

ey! So nice to hear what you’ve all been up to. I’m living in New York and have one semester left at New York University. I am graduating late because I took a year off to go to culinary school, which was so much fun! I’m interning in the marketing department at KIND Snacks and love it here. We’ll see what happens post-grad though. I have a boyfriend here, we’ve been together for a year and a half. I am also in the process of adopting two kitties, so I guess I’ll be a mom soon too. If you are in New York then let me know so we can grab a drink – I miss you all so much.

Rachel Tan ’06 rachel.myt@gmail.com

A

fter graduating from Tufts with a degree in Art History, I got accepted to DFS’ (we’re more than the airport retail service!) Management Training Program, and I’m due to start in January 2011. In the interim I have been taken on as an early hire to work with the Global Creative & Consumer Marketing team here in Hong Kong, assisting with events such as our 50th Anniversary that happened in November and our Masterpieces of Time gala in Macao that happened in December. It is truly refreshing to gather real-world experience in the working world, understanding what attracts the consumer and what marketing strategies move the market.

David Mok ’06 dmok21@hotmail.com

I

have just graduated from Tufts University with a degree in international

relations and after studying at Oxford for a year. I will definitely be doing the whole grad school track in a couple of years but right now I’m in Boston and I want to foster my entrepreneurial passion so I’m working on a couple of startup companies with some friends. I’m also leading the social media efforts as a project manager for a couple of Fortune 100 companies which pays the bills!

If you guys are in Boston, let me know, would be great to catch up.

Andrew Yip ’06 yipcma@gmail.com

D

ear classmates, I graduated from Lewis and Clark in Portland with a degree in math and economics and am now doing a masters in applied math in, guess where...?

Saudi Arabia. I wish you all well.

Nicolas Tse ’06 nicc500@hotmail.com

H

ello people! I graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign about a month ago with a computer engineering degree and a math minor. I went to Zurich last year to work for a semester, am now back in the US.

Right now I’m working at Bloomberg as a financial software developer in midtown Manhattan. I’m still in training, but really looking forward to the real thing! I hope everyone is doing well.

Casey Chan ’06

H

ey class! I graduated with a BBA in Finance from University of Hawaii. I also spent four months in Beijing learning Mandarin. I then took a job in Hong Kong at Convoy Financial Services. So if any of you need financial consulting, I’m your man!

Shireen Khan ’06

H

ello all – long time no see! I graduated in May from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the got a job with Quaker, but also applied to graduate schools to get my doctorate. I decided not to take the job with Quaker and pursue my dream of getting my doctorate at the best school in Chicago for a Psy.D, the Chicago

School of Psychology. So that’s my next four to five years taken care of. I’ve been in a relationship for the past four years so we’ll see where that’s headed soon...!

Justine Lee ’06

I

graduated from Parsons in New York last December 2009 and did a four month Mandarin program at Tsinghua in Beijing the beginning of 2010. Workwise, I have just started working at Honk Kong’s Lane Crawford in the Creative Services department.

Richard Siu ’06 richard0600@hotmail.com

H

ello all. I graduated with Bachelor of Architecture degree at RMIT in Melbourne and am currently doing my Masters of Architecture.

Nancy Chen ’06 nancy.y.chen@gmail.com

I

just graduated from The University of Toronto with a specialist degree in Neuroscience. Now I’ve moved to Shanghai where I work as an Entertainment Manager. Also, I’ve been working a bit in the music industry helping to bring international artists into China to develop the music scene here. Might be moving back to Toronto or the States in a year if I find this isn’t what I want to do. Currently I’m single, with no intention of being a relationship in the near future!

Sunny Ting ’06 sunny.ting@gmail.com

H

ey there, I’m still in Purdue finishing up my last year here. I will most likely be looking for a job in the US in the coming year in the pharmaceutical industry, pretty much wherever I can find something. If anyone needs anything in the midwest region - Chicago or Indianapolis - feel free to contact me. I’d love to catch up with anyone coming into the area. I love how Frank’s acronym is still our class motto!

Shana Menton ’06

H

ey Guys! I just graduated from Chapman University in Orange County, California, with an economics degree and minors in business and Japanese. I’m

DragonTales 41

classnotes

currently trying to find a job in Orange County. I miss Hong Kong like crazy. Oh, and I am now in a relationship. Hope all you fellow 06’ers are doing well – I miss you all!

Ian Woo ’06

H

ey former HKIS High School classmates! I have graduated from Vassar majoring in International Studies and I am now working now in Hong Kong at the China Exploration and Research Society. I hope to meet up with anyone in Hong Kong.

Haruka Morita ’06 haruka.morita@gmail.com

I

graduated from Lehigh in May with a BS in biology and now I am in a two-year program at Columbia University for Public Health. I am now living in New York City.

I’m a full-time student and I am not working, possibly part-time if I get around to it.

And I am in a relationship!

Dino Man ’06

H

ello old friends! I just graduated from University of Western Ontario, Canada, with a double major BA in economics and sociology. I am living in London, Ontario, for now, looking for jobs in mostly Ontario area, but I am not too sure what path I am taking yet, still got my fingers crossed. Still single but have a kid, hopefully can keep in touch with each and everyone of you. Let me know if you guys are in the Toronto area may be we can grab lunch!

Nicola Fan ’06

H

ello everyone I just graduated from Rhode Island School of Design and majored in graphic design. I applied for Optional Practical Training and am currently working in New York as a graphic design consultant for JP Morgan. Not married or anything but in a relationship – would seriously love to know what everyone else is up to so we can stalk you!

Gigi Campo ’06 gigi.campo@gmail.com

G

igi Campo is living in Hong Kong. She graduated from Williams College in June and received a fellowship from the college to work as a professor’s assistant at Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.

42 DragonTales

Gigi Campo ’06 at a graduation lunch with Will Campo ’10, Katie Campo ’04 and mum and dad Campo!

Arun Govada ’08 mp.govada@gmail.com

S

ince graduating from HKIS in June 2008, I have been attending classes at the School of Management in Boston University and am currently a Junior concentrating in Operations and Technology Management. I am happy to announce that I will be graduating a full year early thanks to all those AP classes from junior and senior year of high school! Leaving early is relatively bittersweet. It hasn’t fully hit me yet but I know I will be ready to take on the real world when I graduate this May.

Besides school, I have been carrying on my amateur singing career. I am the Music Director for the one and only Hindi-Fusion acapella group in Boston called ‘Suno’.

Take a look at www.busuno.org which is a co-ed acapella group that fuses songs from the western world with those of Bollywood and South-east Asia. My development in solo-singing and song-writing has increased as well. I also have a Fan Page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/listen2 arun. There you will see a couple videos and links. The most exciting thing on the page is the latest song that I wrote called ‘Wu Jie’ (Misunderstanding). This latest song is a song I wrote completely in Mandarin and had the pleasure of recording with fellow classmate Grace Chang ’08. If you have a chance, please have a listen!

Arun Govada ’08 singing at the Summer Music Festival at Cyberport

Joanne Lam ’08 JoLam@crossingcambodia.org

W

hen I graduated HKIS in June 2008, I decided to take a year off and live

Above, left: Joanne Lam ’08 with Eunse, a Korean kindergarten student at Logos International School Above, right: Joanne Lam ’08 at Quidditch practice, her ‘varsity’ sport

in Cambodia. I volunteered as a teacher assistant for first grade in Logos International School. Logos is a small private international school in Phnom Penh. I got to know my own students as well as those from all other grades and was not only teaching elementary students, but I was also a friend and a mentor for middle and high school students. It was an amazing year to experience both being a part of the faculty at the school as well as meeting new friends and getting to know the culture of Cambodia.

I fell in love with the country all over again as I spent more time with the people and immersed myself into their way of life. I participated in things I would never have had the chance to do otherwise. I played girls rugby representing Cambodia, traveled to Vietnam for a co-ed touch rugby tournament, ate barbecued tarantulas and cockroaches - one of my favorite snacks!

- and lots more besides. Taking that year off was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life!

Since then, I’ve been attending Emerson College in Boston. It’s a great city and I live right downtown by the Commons and China Town. I’m enjoying life at Emerson, especially playing on the Quidditch Team. Yes, Quidditch from Harry Potter! With that being said, every day I am continually reminded of how fortunate I am to have attended HKIS and to have grown up in one of the most amazing cities in the world!

2010

Will Campo ’10

wncamp10@stlawu.edu Will Campo graduated from Hotchkiss in May 2010 and is a freshman at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

Mission Dedicating our minds to inquiry, our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service and global understanding An American-style education, grounded in the Christian faith, and respecting the spiritual lives of all

Student Learning Results Academic Excellence Students will achieve their intellectual potential by striving for and attaining the highest standards of academic excellence

Spirituality Students will understand and respect Christianity and other religions and will identify and develop their own spiritual identity

Character Development Students will demonstrate respectful and caring attitudes at school and in the community, as well as the courage to stand up for what is right The Mission and SLRs are the North Star for HKIS, its staff, faculty and students. We use these as our guide in everything we do, every day.

Hong Kong International School 1 Red Hill Road, Tai Tam Hong Kong www.hkis.edu.hk

Self-Motivated Learning Students willingly apply a variety of learning and motivation strategies throughout their learning process

Contributing to Society Students will develop the skills they need to form genuine relationships in our diverse society and to make contributions to our community

Chinese Culture Students will gain an understanding of China and an appreciation of the Chinese Culture

Save the date!

Hong Kong International School Annual Celebration Gala Saturday, May 28, 2011 Intercontinental Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong