Parker Magazine Spring 2013

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Looking Behind the Scenes

INSIDE THE SCRIBE CLASSROOM PREPARATION HOW DID THE LANCERS GET THEIR NAME VALENTINE’S DAY FUN

Spring 2013


BEHIND THE SCENES

Photography by Steve Muckley


Summertime in December Not just Down Under, but in J. Crivello Hall, conjuring images of summer fun for the 2013 Summer Programs catalog. This will be the 54th summer session at Parker.

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CONTENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS

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When you have a window for your institutional logo, you must be all about VISION. SEEING. LOOKING. This spring, the theme of Parker Magazine is LOOKING BEHIND THE SCENES. How do we make the magic happen at Francis Parker School? How does a production get to stage, a magazine get ready for its readers, a video get made, a teacher prepare for class? Let us take you As Far As The Mind Can See. Looking for Alumni Class Notes: www.francisparker.org/alumninews Looking for Faculty News: www.francisparker.org/facultynews


FEATURES 1

Looking Behind The Scenes Summer Programs Catalog Photo Shoot

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DEPARTMENTS 4

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St. Valentine’s Day

Looking Behind The Scenes:

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Inside The Scribe

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From the first idea to the last word

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Spontaneous Enthusiasm

What’s in a Name

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Looking Behind The Scenes:

Staff Profile: Victor and Shorty Virgen

100 Things to Love about Francis Parker School 50-100

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Why are we called the Lancers? We wish we knew!

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Alumni Profile: Dwayne Barr ‘90

We couldn’t do this without them

Three Parker faculty share how they keep their lessons alive and lively for their students

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Alumni Profile: Lauren Stangel ‘98

Behind the scenes on set, on location

The Jungle Book

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Behind Home Plate

Behind the scenes at Madison Square Garden

Sometimes we don’t say it the way we mean it

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Where’s Kevin?

The Centennial Celebration

An Event 100 Years in the Making 39

Editorial Cartoon Starting Early

CORRECTIONS AND NOTES FROM THE BIENNIAL GIVING REPORT: p.12: Luiz Sauerbronn and Flavia Pereia were incorrectly listed as Anonymous donors. p.24: The correct name of the Appel-Collins Family Scholarship Fund should have been Appel-Collins Family Military Scholarship Fund. We regret the errors!

Front Cover: Photgraphy by Laura Coburn and Mike Savacool Head of School: Kevin Yaley Editor, Director of Communications: Cathy Morrison Layout and Design: Savacool Secviar Brand Communications Printer: Neyenesch Printers Printed on: Cover: TopKote 80lb cover weight Interior: TopKote 80lb text weight

Shelley Benoit Shelley is a soon-to-be out of work PA President and a former stand up comic. She still performs comedy regularly for husband Joe and sons Joey ‘12 and Jack ‘14. But they don’t think she’s funny.

Stephen P. Breen Stephen P. Breen became the editorial cartoonist for the Asbury Park Press (NJ) in 1996 and in 2001, became the cartoonist for The San Diego Union-Tribune. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize (1998 and 2009). Steve has also won the 2007 Berryman Award, the 2009 National Headliner Award, the 2009 Thomas Nast Award and the 2010 Fischetti Award. Steve also writes and illustrates children’s books and enjoys running, reading and playing the guitar. He lives in San Diego County with his wife and five children.

Pat Flynn ‘75 Pat Flynn attended Parker from kindergarten through 12th grade, with the exception of 2nd grade. A graduate of UC Davis, he spent 33 years in the newspaper business, including 27 years as a reporter and editor at the San Diego Union-Tribune. His days as a Parker scribe date to 1973-74, when he served as editor of the monthly student newspaper, then called the Clarion. Never-confirmed rumors suggest he also played a significant role in the 1975 publication of the Green Jock, described as an underground campus newspaper.

Karen Gross

Filming the Holiday Video

CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CONTRIBUTORS

PARKER MAGAZINE BRINGS HOME THE GOLD!

District VII On March 2, 2013, Parker Magazine received the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VII Gold Award for Independent School Print Publications. CASE officials said, “We received a record number of entries this year, and your excellent achievement stood out among the best. Thank you for producing the kind of work that brings respect to our profession.” Parker Magazine has now been submitted for CASE’s National Circle of Excellence Award.

Karen Gross is an award-winning journalist who worked for many years in radio and television at the CBC in Canada and at KPBS in San Diego. She dropped off the airwaves several years ago to spend more time with her three children, two of whom attend the Upper School at Parker. She currently works as a freelance feature writer for the University of San Diego and the University of Toronto, among others. When she’s not parenting or writing, Karen can often be found volunteering at the SPCA, where her other true passion lives.

Stephanie Saad Thompson Stephanie Saad Thompson taught English electives at Francis Parker Upper School in the early 1990s, leading the Lancer Legend to its first national student journalism award. Her nurturing, thorough, firm but kind teaching style led her students to affectionately dub her “the Marquise de Saad.” She now wields her red pen of terror as the copy editor of San Diego Magazine and head of her own company, Stephanie Thompson Public Relations.


WHERE ’S KEVIN?

We're all in this together By Cathy Morrison

How does it feel to learn something you’ve never done before? Are you anxious, worried, intrigued, excited, and hoping no one will see you until you’ve mastered this new thing? What if people were actually watching as you attempted to demonstrate your newly acquired skills? What if you knew you weren’t alone in the process, that you’d make new friends, and maybe learn something akin to a foreign language? Our Middle School PE and interscholastic athletic program is specifically set up to take students through the process of stepping into something new, while helping them develop habits of physical fitness. Never played softball before? No problem. On a sunny afternoon in January, Head of School Kevin Yaley joined Coach David Glassey to meet the 7th grade members of the Middle School softball team out on Kidd-Wohlford Field. Together, they went through a few practice drills.

Coach Glassey notes, “Our main priority is on participation and skill development.” The experience for 7th and 8th graders builds upon the 6th grade PE introduction to competition and the full array of sports available at Parker. A fun and supportive environment gives students without prior experience an opportunity to not only try something new for the fi rst time, it allows the chance to get to

“… competitive experiences allow a glimpse into skill sets that will be called upon throughout their lives…”

know some of their Lancer classmates Although the soccer pitch is more in a different environment. familiar territory for Mr. Yaley, we put him behind the plate to experience And the more experienced players a fast pitch or two. Like the Head of in the group have an opportunity School, some of the girls don’t play to encourage and mentor others, this game regularly; some have never which could be a new perspective played the sport before, and for some, for some. The emphasis on teamwork this is—literally—familiar turf. Here, and collaboration extends beyond they came together with an opportunity the playing field or court and into to work hard and play a game and the classroom, the lab, the studio represent their school for the fi rst time and the stage. Such collaborative in interscholastic competition. Photography by Dylan Mayer

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and competitive experiences allow a glimpse into skill sets that will be called upon throughout their lives in a variety of disciplines and settings. As a former coach, Kevin knows well the balance physical fitness offers for one’s overall good health, and the sense of camaraderie players develop while working toward a common goal. He adds, “While athletics provide students with the opportunity to participate in active and healthy competition, they also teach about the values of teamwork and leadership. Moreover, athletics reinforce the importance of physical fitness, a critical component of mental health and well-being.” In trying something new, students may discover an affi nity or talent they never imagined before, and there are always Parker alumni role models to look to for inspiration. These seventh graders have spent enough time in the Field House by now to have seen the Lancers at the Next Level posters, celebrating the dozens of young alumni who are currently continuing their athletic careers at the college level, as well as the hundreds of banners hanging from the rafters. As the team captain says on the break, “Lancers on three…one, two, three!” “LANCERS!” We’re all in this together.


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HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ?

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To: Miss Jacobs’ 2nd Grade Class From: Miss Jacobs February 1, 2013

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To: Miss Jacobs’ 2nd Grade Class From: Miss Jacobs February 4, 2013

Hello Wonderful Parents!

To All Our Stellar Parents!

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and our class will be celebrating in a different way this year. As you already know, Valentine’s Day has great historical significance and your students will be learning the origins of this special Day of Love as part of our history curriculum.

Just touching base quickly about our special Valentine’s Day celebration on February 14th.

I am very excited about this lesson because I hope to broaden the children’s awareness of how events like this have deeper meaning and importance in a historical context. With our division’s integrated approach, I have invited Mr. Kremly’s 8th grade class to share with us what they are learning about Valentines Day and its history. I am also asking your children to prepare a short presentation on how your family observes Valentine’s Day. After the incredibly detailed and highly technical presentations the students did for Halloween, I’m sure you all will enjoy participating in this with them! We will observe the traditional practice of sharing Valentines with ALL of our classmates on February 14th. If you’d like to bring a treat, please sign up with our Room Parents. Stay tuned for more details… 6

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There have been a few questions about the appropriateness of acknowledging what some consider to be a “religious” celebration. Of course, Sea Valley Vista is a non-denominational school and as such, we do not “celebrate” religious holidays. It is true that Saint Valentine was a saint in the Catholic church. But, please understand that the children will not be celebrating this as a religious holiday. They will simply be learning about the “cultural” origins of Valentine’s Day. But, we absolutely will not be engaging in prayer, kneeling, hymns or any such ritual of the Christian faith. Not that there is anything wrong with Christians, of course! So that every culture is included, please share with your children how your respective cultures celebrate a “Day of Love” and we will include those in the presentations.


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To: Miss Jacobs’ 2nd Grade Class From: Miss Jacobs February 8, 2013

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To: Miss Jacobs’ 2nd Grade Class From: Miss Jacobs February 11, 2013

Hey So-Involved and Earnest Parents! ;)

Parents…

There have been so many great questions about the family part of the presentations.

A couple more things about our special Valentine’s Day.

I’m told Masashi’s family celebrates White Day on March 14th and Black Day on March 15th, in the Japanese traditions of love celebration.

Corey’s mom wanted me to remind everyone that Corey is severely allergic to any kind of nut. So that we can avoid the unpleasantness of our Ramadan breakfast, please be sure that your treats do not contain nuts, the dust of nuts, the shells of nuts. Corey’s mom would also ask you to be sure that the ingredients you use in the treats were not made in or around a factory within 5 miles of nuts or nut trees. Probably a quick phone call…

I am also informed that Bae’s family acknowledges a day of love every month on the 14th in the Korean tradition. Gopal was kind enough to bring in his family’s book on the Kamasutra, but I think that would be more appropriate for older grades. Likewise, some of our Muslim families are feeling conflicted because Valentine’s Day celebrations are technically banned from Muslim practice. As much I would like to include every culture’s tradition, I think for simplicity’s sake, we will just acknowledge Valentine’s Day in the American tradition on February 14th. Please understand that your children are in no way obligated to participate in any way that they are not comfortable. Mrs. Emm will conduct a non-descript and in no way offensive sing-a-long in the auditorium for the children who wish not to participate. For those of you still willing to present your family traditions, please plan on it. However, if your family tradition includes games like “Find your Belly Button,” as Billy kindly shared with us this morning, probably best to keep those at home. I’m looking for things like special dinners, gifts, service projects… The presentations will NOT be graded so that those who choose not to participate will not be penalized. I can assure you that future Honors and/or AP high school credits will not be affected. See you Thursday.

Also, Miguel’s mom kindly reminds us that he is gluten-free, which I think has something to do with flour… Also, Janessa’s mom prefers that her daughter only eat organic fruits and vegetables, so if someone could sign up to bring those, that would be wonderful! Please nothing in the nightshade category because John is allergic to those. Principal Hastings reminded me that our school is starting a “Fight Obesity” measure in 2013. So, if you could bring treats that do not contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup, that would be very much appreciated. I’m told that there are all kinds of delicious treat recipes with sugar substitutes so, good luck with that! Anyway, please be cognizant of the safety of all of our dear children. Thank you! I’m sure, even with a few menu adjustments, the children will greatly enjoy the yummy treats! Just so we are covered, I will have cupcakes, brownies and good ole chocolate chip cookies (all ingredients coming from VONS) in my supply closet. Smokers may use that room as well since the forecast calls for severe rain.

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To: Miss Jacobs’ 2nd Grade Class From: Miss Jacobs February 12, 2013 I have just been informed that Mr. Kremly’s 8th grade class will NOT be visiting our class on Thursday. There was an unforeseen accident during their dress rehearsal re-enacting the festival of Lupercalia (an ancient Roman tradition that predates what we now know as Valentine’s Day). But, I don’t need to tell you that, I’m sure! I’m told that all the scratches were surface wounds and all of the 8th graders are uninjured. The school psychologist, Dr. Berman, will be checking in with all the affected families. Sea Valley Vista is so lucky to have Dr. Berman! So… lucky… Since the 8th grade interpretation of Lupercalia included paganism and replicas of goat-skin whips, the 2nd grade teachers felt that it would not be appropriate for the 2nd grade class. We will attempt to integrate the curriculum later in the year when Mr. Kremly returns from administrative leave.

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To: Miss Jacobs’ 2nd Grade Class From: Miss Jacobs February 13, 2013 So, based on the confusion and unfortunate discord created by my plans for Valentine’s Day, I am cancelling our previously scheduled celebration. Your kids can feel free to bring paper Valentines for their classmates, but please no treats. The school’s attorney feels that the liability is too great. However, Ms. Hastings reminds us that the Valentines need to be appropriate. The list of banned Valentines are as follows: Twilight, Family Guy, South Park, Pokemon, Yugi-o, Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, Kim Kardashian, Chloe Kardashian… any Kardashian-themed Valentines are banned… Please no Honey Boo Boo, Toddlers with Tiaras or Valentines that make bodily gas noises. The kids can forego their presentations, which should give all of you parents some extra time this week. Happy Valentine’s Day to all my wonderful kids and families. I will not be in attendance because I am taking a sick day.


BEHIND THE SCENES

Scan to watch the video!

Holiday Video On 12.12.12, we set up the banner and the video camera, and asked Parker students in all three divisions to share their holiday wishes. What were some of the things they wished for at the Lower School?

• Turkey dinners for poor people • I wish every dog in the world got a happy home

• I wish for a world where nobody is a cruel joke and death is only because of old age

• I hope my grandpa has a good time in heaven

• I wish that we could have a better community

• No war, and peace to all

• I wish that I could have peace and a laptop

• Can I have a beagle please? • I hope that the kids in the hospital get a lot of toys this year

• I ♥ Parker!

Photography by Cathy Morrison

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BEHIND THE SCENES

The Jungle Book The play may be the thing, but it can’t happen without a lot of work behind the scenes. Which gives Middle School students and their Upper School mentors an opportunity to learn it all: staging, lighting, sound engineering, the art of makeup and hair, set-building, choreography, scoring and more. And that makeup mirror? That was designed and built last summer by Victor Virgen and his crew. For more about Victor, see page 26. Scan the QR code for more glimpses of the Middle School Drama Club’s presentation of The Jungle Book.

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Photography by Lorenzo and Olga Gunn


THE

i n s i d e

ScRI BE by KAREN GROSS

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If you have a child in the Upper School, chances are you’ve glimpsed at least one copy of the Scribe sitting on a tabletop, possibly crumpled in a backpack, or clutched in the hands of your offspring as he or she scans the most recent issue. you haven’t yet seen the Scribe because you’re not yet connected with the Upper School or your child won’t let it go, grab an issue and dig in.

ultimately responsible for guiding the younger students, for brainstorming, and for making sure they are satisfied with the result.”

other nods to the School’s history are mingled with stories related to the Sandy Hook massacre and religion on the Upper School campus, among many others.

Published five times a year by the Upper School’s journalism class, the magazine is an often eclectic mix of sass and seriousness, youthful innocence and wise introspection. To read it is to learn not only about the School and its many happenings, but also about the students who write for it. Sometimes they divulge their deepest secrets. Often, they share their feelings with abandon, opining about everything from gun control to the death penalty, cafeteria food to the School’s new uniforms.

The students handle everything - from pitching story ideas, to researching, reporting, writing, editing, design and photography. Katie Kreitzer ’13, the magazine’s co-editor-in-chief, calls it a mixed mission; a balance between wit and entertainment and serious coverage of stories on and off campus. Ultimately, responsibility for what goes into the magazine is hers, along with co-editor Claire Bryan ‘13 and a handful of senior editorial staff. What they decide to tackle in any given issue is considered very carefully before it’s pursued.

Last December’s holiday issue covered topics ranging from sibling stereotypes to regional hiking trails and a look inside the School’s admissions process. It also included a piece by opinion co-editor Arielle Swedback ‘14. Now a junior, she wrote openly and honestly about her past struggles with debilitating anxiety in a story questioning the increasingly common trend of doling out prescription drugs to teenagers. Swedback described her own painful episodes of panic as an elementary school student, and recalled how her parents had refused to medicate her and instead insisted on treating her anxiety with therapy only.

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The class is led by the students themselves, with restrained guidance from their newly minted adviser Andrew Holbrook - who arrived at the School last year and took over the Scribe last fall. “I think the sense of responsibility is really felt by seniors who become editors,” says Holbrook, who as an undergraduate at Harvard served as an executive editor of the fabled Crimson newspaper. “They are

“We have a week of brainstorming,” Kreitzer says. “Writers are asked to bring in five ideas one day, ten ideas the next. The chiefs and the section editors talk about everything before the assignments are decided.” The recent Centennial issue offered a look at Parker past and present; interviews with alumni and

“A lot of kids are really anxiety-prone and stressed out,” she says. “I feel like the way it’s being handled isn’t always the best, so I thought that drawing from my own experience would give people an interesting perspective.”

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THE STUDENTS HANDLE EVERYTHINGfrom pitching story ideas, to researching, reporting, writing, editing, design and photography. It’s a story Swedback had previously kept to herself. Now, it’s public knowledge. “Even though nobody actually came up to me and told me the story applied to them,” she says, “I’m sure there were at least one or two people who read it and thought it interesting that someone else has gone through it too.”

Scan this code to read the Scribe online.

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Soren Hansen ‘15 and Cian Lavin ‘14 confer with Ms. Michelle Adelman, former Scribe Advisor 3

Liv Fidler ‘15 prepares her page in InDesign

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The Scribe has taken on other serious issues from very personal points of view. Recently, Stanley Gambucci ‘13 - the magazine’s design chief - addressed the idea of a “gay” gene in a passionate and searing opinion piece. Society doesn’t need scientific proof to legitimize what he already knows from personal experience, Gambucci argued. “Gay is not a choice. Discrimination is.” Strong words from a young man whose big smile and truly infectious exuberance seem constant, and whose primary job at the magazine is not to write, but to design. And Gambucci has done that very well virtually revamping the publication over the last two years.

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“What it used to be was very much like a student magazine,” he says. “Not a mess, but very carefree and fun. What we have now is a clean magazine that has a clean design idea and a concise voice.” Using InDesign computer software, Gambucci has brought a bright and stylish look to The Scribe. The font is consistent from story to story, the colors are bold but not overbearing, and the art is often edgy and thought-provoking. “If you have something that’s presentable and looks good and it brings people into the story, then people want to read it and they’ll want to hear what you have to say.” Along with the serious stories, the students have a lot to say about lighter topics too. The magazine runs several recurring features; a Saturday car ride and running conversation with a teacher, a look at what’s “hot, not, or trendy,” and a page called “Quad Rants,” where students and teachers are asked to answer seemingly random questions about everything from skorts to their favorite (Head of Upper School) Barsky moment. The Scribe covers sports, arts and culture on campus and around town, and tells students where to find the best free food samples and tasty eateries. What’s packed into its pages can keep a kid occupied for hours.


“When the magazine comes out, we pass it out during advisory and no one says a word,” says Chris Harrington, chair of the English department and Scribe adviser from 1992 to 2002. “ All they’re doing for those ten or fifteen minutes is reading. You don’t see that often because kids don’t tend to read that much.”

publication drew Gold Medal recognition from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in the general magazine category, with a comment that “the entire work, including entertainment features in all issues, really serves its audience well. The magazine as a whole is fun and vibrant in content and design.”

The Scribe has come a long way since Harrington first arrived at Parker more than twenty years ago. Back then it was called the Lancer Legend, and was “ten pieces of paper stapled together,” he says. But the publication’s roots run way deeper than that. Shortly after Parker opened its doors a hundred years ago, the School obtained a printing press and students began publishing a one-sheet monthly called the Parker Post. Over the years, the name and format changed.

Carson Scott ‘12, now a freshman at Harvard, served as co-editor-in-chief on that team. He recently joined the editorial board of the Crimson and describes his years on the Scribe as a highlight of Upper School. “We would come in long hours after school,” he remembers. “We’d have late nights and often we’d work until 1 or 2 in the morning. In terms of writing, it was great preparation for the Crimson, and a lot of the writing that I do for my classes.”

WHAT IT USED TO BE WAS very much like a student magazine. Not a mess, but very carefree and fun. What we have now is a clean magazine that has a clean design idea and a concise voice. Among the paper’s many other monikers were the Ginger Snap, the Clarion, the View, and the Legend. It morphed into a magazine during Harrington’s time at the helm, and became the Scribe in the late ‘90s. Today, the magazine and the class that produces it are extremely popular. Last year, half the students who applied had to be turned away, and the course is already currently closed to freshmen. The Scribe has won multiple awards over the years, and 2011-2012 was especially rewarding. The American Scholastic Press Association named it Best Magazine in the private school category. And the

Success notwithstanding, the Scribe is still evolving. For the first time, its 31 students are divided into two sections, with one class meeting in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Also new this year is a dedicated website that produces its own fresh material on a bi-monthly basis (www.fpsthescribe.com). The magazine’s mission continues to be a work in progress, according to Michelle Adelman, twelfth grade dean and former Scribe adviser. “When Chris had it years ago, it was more serious news and then it shifted to an entertainment focus,” she says. “Now it’s swinging back. We want to inform but also entertain.” The Scribe does a lot of both for the Parker student body, while its own students teach each other how to report, write, plan a layout and make a deadline. At the same time they’re acquiring invaluable tools that will likely stay with them well beyond the safe confines of Upper School. “Ideally, there are a lot of life lessons to be had here,” says adviser Andrew Holbrook. “Interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, and feeling a sense of responsibility to a project that’s bigger than themselves. When each student looks back, I hope that’s a big part of what they remember.”

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APRIL FOOL A tradition dating back to at least 1920, when the student published Parker Post printed the “Josh Issue” Now, the current-day “The Scribble,” the annual April 1 issue, is as much fun to read as it is to produce.

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HIYA THERE

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Backstage Prep for Hiya Hiya

Photgraphy by Birdy Hartman

How do you get an entire classroom of Kindergartners dressed for their signature performance at the annual Thanksgiving Program? A circle of cooperation and helpfulness gets the job done, and everyone is pleased with the results. It’s Showtime!

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HUDDLE UP

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Nothing “Odd” About This Group!

Photgraphy by Cathy Morrison

The Upper School cast and crew of “The Odd Couple” in a pre-show huddle.

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PARKER ALUMNI PROFILE

Lauren Heiser Stangel Class of 1998 Current residence: New York, NY Current position: Vice President, Transformation Sales at the Madison Square Garden Company Job description: I am responsible for securing founding-level corporate partnerships in conjunction with the $980MM Transformation of Madison Square Garden—we are in the process of transforming The World’s Most Famous Arena into the world’s most state-of-theart sports and entertainment venue. The project will be completed in Fall 2013. Your path to MSG? I majored in Human Biology at Stanford and decided to take a “fun” internship with the San Diego Padres after college before going to work in the public health sector. Ten years later, after working for a sports agent (Scott Boras at Boras Corporation), a League (the NBA) and multiple teams (Padres, NY Knicks, NY Rangers), and getting my MBA at USC, I still haven’t left the sports industry! West Coast or East Coast? I’m a West Coast girl at heart, but my husband Greg is a born-and-bred New Yorker and I’ve lived here for more than five years, so the pressure to convert my loyalty to the East Coast is strong. I’m holding out! Knicks or Rangers? That’s like asking someone to pick their favorite child! So I’ll go with the Liberty (our WNBA team). What gets on the Jumbotron? Passionate fans!

Photography courtesy of Madison Square Garden

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Best seat in the house? Our 20 new Event Level Suites – they’re located below the stage/court/ice level, and you walk up a small set of stairs to sit in the best seats in the house. Guitar hero? My husband has turned me into a huge Billy Joel fan (it must be an East Coast thing). Seeing him play live at MSG for the 12.12.12 Concert for Sandy Relief was amazing. Sports hero? My favorite athlete I’ve met (to-date) is Greg Maddux—he’s hilarious and truly humble. The fact that he played for the Padres toward the end of his career is icing on the cake. That Concert… The 12.12.12 Concert for Sandy Relief was one of the most incredible experiences of my career, to-date. We had a little over three weeks to sell sponsorships and tickets, with all the money going to charity. We worked around the clock and elicited cooperation from an incredible list of corporate partners, celebrities, athletes and artists. Working together behind-the-scenes (even though we were completely exhausted!) was something I will never forget. Corporate partners and celebrities alike were willing to do anything and everything to help that night. Celebrities? We get quite a few celebrities at Knicks games especially—Spike Lee has his own seat in the front row. It’s always fun to see what Knicks-branded outfit he’s wearing. Fun Fact? The Garden hosts over 250 diverse events each year – sometimes two per day. Our Building Operations group can take out the Knicks court and set-up the Rangers’ ice in less than four hours. It’s fun to watch.

Glad the lockout’s over? We were all ready for hockey to come back to The Garden. It didn’t feel right without the ice down. Live at MSG… Even though it’s been around for more than 130 years, getting to play The Garden is still what many artists feel is the pinnacle of their careers. It’s a stage they aspire to play on and where they put on their best shows, which is probably why so many albums and concert DVDs have been recorded here. People may not know… The Madison Square Garden Company has a diverse portfolio of sports, media and entertainment assets. We own and operate The Garden, the Theater at MSG, the Knicks (NBA), Rangers (NHL), Liberty (WNBA) along with Radio City Music Hall (NYC), Beacon Theatre (NYC), Chicago Theatre, Wang Theatre (Boston), the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the Rockettes as well as regional sports networks MSG and MSG+ and national music network Fuse. We also just purchased the Forum in LA and are about to begin restoring the building. Memorable project? My first big project at MSG was helping close our Marquee Partnership with JPMorgan Chase – now our biggest corporate partner across all of our properties and one of the largest deals in the history of American sponsorships. It was a remarkable deal to work on because of its complexity, along with the great people we had the opportunity to work with at Chase. Unforgettable… When Carmelo Anthony was introduced as a Knick, after they played a video of him set to the song “I’m Coming Home” by P. Diddy, was goose-bump inducing. I’ve never heard a louder, more excited crowd in my life.


Reflecting... I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to work for wonderfully talented and successful people in this industry. It’s important to be passionate about what you do, but it’s also important to work for someone you respect. Opportunities often arise when the person you work for believes in you and gives you a shot to prove yourself. Years at Parker? Four (9th-12th grades) Favorite Parker Memory? Mr. Klausner (sophomore English teacher) coming back to speak at graduation, after moving to teach on the East Coast. Our class was incredibly close—I met my very best friends at Parker—and Mr. Klausner (and his “intransitive gap” lecture) was a big influence on my experience. Least Favorite Parker Memory? Rushing to fi nish my Stanford application the day it was due – Ms. O patiently proofread every section before I pasted it on to the application; I barely made it to the Post Office in time. Despite being a terrible procrastinator, I got in (even though I ended up misspelling “families” on the fi rst page—the one page Ms. O didn’t read!). Favorite Parker Teachers: Richard Klausner, Carol Obermeier, Tom Crowley, Chuck Wineholt, Gordon Cantiello, Chris Harrington and Coach Jeff Scott— these folks, among others, shaped my adolescence and I am incredibly grateful. Quote: “Success = talent + vision + sustained effort. Heavily weight that third variable— ask any entrepreneur.” – Brett Nelson, “Fifty Important Lessons New York City Taught Me”

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BY PAT FLYNN ‘75

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID NESS

reparation, at least for some dynamic Parker teachers, is not limited to prescribed planning periods. And inspiration is ubiquitous. “I am constantly looking for things that will engage them,” said Monica Gallardo, who teaches Spanish at the Middle School. “I’ll play them a song, then we’ll talk about it. I’ll show videos, something my kids came up with, and then we’ll talk about it or do a project.” Gallardo, who has four sons – two are Parker alumni, two still attend the School – said she peruses a great deal of Spanish-language media consumed by her boys and her extended Spanishspeaking family and often can fi nd a classroom catalyst embedded somewhere in all of it. “I don’t think parents know how much you think about their children, your class. Even at home, I’ll ask my sons about their days, what they liked and didn’t like in class. I get inspiration from other teachers when my boys tell

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me something they liked,” said Gallardo, part of his curriculum.“I ask the same things of the kids,” Heilman continued. who was born in Mexico and lived there “I want them to feel that the world is until she was 24. part of what we do in here. There are “We travel to Mexico twice a year. connections. Don’t just go on vacation. Even on vacation,” she said, “I am Be aware of what is around you and looking for things that would work how it ties in here.” in class, a magazine at a newsstand Heilman, who teaches 4th and 5th or a poster my kids would like.” graders in his well-equipped lab, said “Behind the scenes?” Lower School students often bring back soil, rocks, science teacher John Heilman said, minerals and other items gathered in repeating part of an interviewer’s their travels for discussion and analysis. question about preparation. “I don’t think there’s a lot of Dr. Oz behind J.P. Pierce, who teaches Upper School the screen. I’m online, trolling around physics, said he, too, fi nds that looking for science stuff. I have a inspiration can be sparked at any time. garden. I love to cook. All of those “I mountain bike and I trail run,” he said. things have science involved in them. “I can be going along, not really thinking “I’m a pretty transparent guy,” Heilman about school, and an idea will jump continued. “I’ll say, ‘Guys, I went in my head. And then I’ll go follow up mountain biking this weekend, and build something. and here’s what I saw … ’ “I spend a lot of time away from school, building little contraptions that would He went on to tell the story of seeing be a good visual in class,” Pierce said. a tarantula wasp fly by, dropping his bike, picking up his camera and fi lming “I’ll make stuff out of junk in my garage for demonstrations.” the insect as it caught a tarantula and dragged it away. The video became


Students and others see the benefits of teachers’ prep work, even if they are not aware of what goes into it. “She is very inspiring,” Nick Miller, a 13-year-old 7th grader said of Gallardo, trying to answer questions in Spanish only, as Gallardo requires in her classroom. “She has us do lots of interesting projects, some on our own, some in groups,” Miller continued after being told English answers were acceptable just this once. “She uses technology to help us learn. If we don’t do well, she gets us up. She’s very positive.”

“AS SOON AS YOU GET BORED, THE KIDS KNOW. I CHANGE IT FOR THEM, BUT ALSO FOR MY OWN BENEFIT AND MY OWN ENTHUSIASM FOR COMING TO WORK.” He was one of the fi rst to use iPads in a pilot program and uses them daily.”

nnie Voight’s 4th graders leave her class to study science with Heilman. “John motivates, inspires and challenges his students,” Voight said, adding that he “has been at the forefront of technology integration for years. John quietly goes about preparing interesting and interactive lessons for his classes.

Everett Waterman, a 17-year-old senior, was in Pierce’s lab one recent afternoon after school, going over an Advanced Placement physics problem involving electric fields and multivariable calculus. Waterman said Pierce’s demonstrations, built with garage junk or otherwise, are valuable.

“He has a really good way of explaining the things in a way that makes sense to us,” he said of his instructor, who holds a doctorate in physics from the University of Tennessee. “He’s not just showing us some formula. We are figuring out where it comes from.” Everett added an observation of Pierce’s teaching style. “He’s the most efficient guy I’ve ever met,” the senior said. “We get into class and it’s just, go, go, go.” Gallardo, who has been at Parker for six years, Heilman, a 14-year veteran, and Pierce, in his fi fth year, share a commitment to keeping their lessons fresh, even when teaching the same material annually. “I don’t rely on my lesson plans from year to year,” Gallardo said. “Every year is different. Every class is different. The pace is different with each one. “Sometimes you spend a long time planning a lesson and it doesn’t turn out the way you would’ve liked it to,”

23


“As soon as you get bored, the kids know,” he said. “I change it for them, but also for my own benefit and my own enthusiasm for coming to work. I change or build new little devices, new demos, every year.” she continued. “And sometimes you get spur-of-the-moment inspiration, throw it out, and they do wonders with it.

Heilman, the Lower School science teacher, said there is always room to get better.

“And sometimes, you don’t have to come “I teach much differently than I did up with a lesson plan. Sometimes, 14 years ago,” he said. “I change my (the students) are the driving force and curriculum; I tweak it, every single you’re just a facilitator,” added Gallardo. year. I’m always going after the best way to teach the material to this She nodded toward the cage of group of students.” Rechoncha (it means “chubby,”) the classroom pet hamster, whom students frequently incorporate in their projects. “She’s been in more skits,” Gallardo said. Pierce explained the importance of keeping it fresh.

24

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In all their preparations, the teachers are focused on experiential learning for their students. “My philosophy is that from day one I want them to use it,” said Gallardo,

the Spanish teacher. “I really force the oral participation. No one gets away with not participating. I really try to get them speaking, in pairs, in groups. They’re not perfect, but they’re doing it. They are speaking in another language. “It can be done. It is feasible,” Gallardo said, citing her own experience of learning a second language—English in her case. “My idea of a science lab,” said Heilman, “is that it should be visually stimulating and it should be a safe environment for students to experiment and investigate. “It is a hands-on science program, almost entirely,” he said, adding that he came to relish science despite the dry, formula-oriented education he received in the subject.


Heilman said he does not expect the 4th and 5th graders he teaches to memorize things. “I want them to experience it,” he said. “I treat them and talk to them like scientists and I expect them to act like scientists and be observant, methodical and reflective.” High school physics, of course, has to involve some serious formulas and memorization, but that doesn’t make Pierce’s contraptions and demos any less essential to his teaching style. Pierce showed a visitor a demonstration of the physics principles behind building a loudspeaker by using magnets, wires and a shoebox. “That’s what I am trying to do, hook them and get them to see how useful this stuff is,” Pierce said. “I don’t want

“SOMETIMES, (THE STUDENTS) ARE THE DRIVING FORCE AND YOU’RE JUST A FACILITATOR.”

“The gratification, I think, is selfexplanatory,” Gallardo said. “It comes when you can actually see kids using what you’re teaching them.”

to come in here and just play. They need the formal academic background in physics. But if I don’t show them these kinds of demonstrations and impress them that way, then they might wonder why they are doing the formal stuff, putting in the legwork.”

“For me,” said Pierce, “the most rewarding thing is when the kids gain some confidence that they can do complicated things, difficult things. It’s when they become confident enough in themselves to try something, even if might not work, then try again if it doesn’t.”

Of course, all the preparation, the search for inspiration and the hands-on teaching wouldn’t be worth it without seeing success.

Heilman said it is simple for him with his young charges. “If I get them legitimately excited about science, get the fi re lit and send them on to Middle School, that’s it,” he said.

25 ?


PARKER ALUMNI PROFILE

Dwayne Barr Class of 1990

Current residence: Santa Clarita, CA Current position: Dolly Grip and Crane Operator Job description: I am a member of IATSE Local 80, the Union for Motion Picture Studio Grips. I am responsible for the camera movement during a scene. I lay dolly track in order to track with people as they are walking down the street, running, etc. I also have to know the actors’ dialogue in order to know when to move. That can include simply keeping up with them as they move, or even pushing into a close-up as they speak. Crane shots are usually high-angle shots that either drop down to reveal a scene or create even more action...usually on music videos.

Photography by John Bramley c/o DreamWorks SKG

26

Ideal set: An air-conditioned sound stage where everything can be controlled. And, if I am working on a comedy, I know that I will at least get to laugh a little! Best location: Bora Bora on the fi lm Couples’ Retreat. It was the most beautiful location that I had ever been...despite working 6 days a week. Worst location: Hawaii while I briefly worked on the television show Lost. It rained every day, the trip to work was sometimes hours, and working in the jungle was a nightmare. The rain, humidity, mud, and root system of the trees made for a very difficult shoot. Favorite Movie Hero: If I had to pick a super hero it would be Hancock because he is flawed.

Favorite Real Life Hero: Now that I am an uncle to twins, my hero has to be Danny Thomas for creating St. Jude hospital in Memphis, TN. Biggest film/show: The biggest TV shows I have worked on were The O.C., and Heroes. The biggest fi lm I have worked on was Ender’s Game, which will be released later this year. The majority of our cast were children (Asa Butterfield and Hailee Steinfeld) and also included Harrison Ford, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Viola Davis. There’s a Super Bowl commercial I did [the second week in January] that stars the Korean artist PSY, known for his “Gangnam Style” song. Other recent fi lms or ones that will be released later this year that I worked on include Gangster Squad, R.I.P.D., 2 Guns, and Bad Words. I also worked on the pilot for the AMC show, Low Winter Sun. In February I started work on the fi lm Anchorman 2.


How did you get into the movie business? I was attending Vanderbilt University on the pre-med track when I took an elective course called Intro to Film. It was a combination of fi lm theory and super 8 fi lm production. I fell in love with the process and ultimately decided to leave Vanderbilt in order to attend The College of Santa Fe for their fi lm program. Upon graduating, I moved back home to my parents’ home in San Diego and worked on some small projects. I paid my dues and eventually joined a show called Power Rangers as their dolly grip. This photo... Was taken in Pittsburgh on a very late night. It was for a sequence in the fi lm I Am Number Four. I am pushing into the cop car as it comes toward camera and then is raised into the air.

Reflecting... As Jason Bateman said on my last fi lm... we are just capturing the little pieces in order to build a house. Every scene is broken up into certain specific shots. We always shoot a master shot that is wide and shows the entire scene; however, all specific shots are done individually, knowing the editing process that will occur later. Years at Parker? Six, 7th-12th grades Favorite Parker Memory? The best thing about Parker is the teachers. My favorite memory was when my parents had a dinner catered for them at our house. Every teacher cared about us and it was great to have an evening to show our appreciation.

Least Favorite Parker Memory? I guess my least favorite memory was Mr. Johnson always busting me for not wearing socks. It was something I tried to get away with on a regular basis. But he had radar built into his body! Favorite Parker Teachers: Each teacher brought something to Parker and trying to pick a favorite one would be unfair. Every teacher has left a lasting impression upon me. I can’t even remember some of my teachers in college! There were certain teachers who asked us to call them by their fi rst name. However, most of the teachers I remember for their last names only. Mrs. Pope, Mr. Ramert, Ms. O, Mrs. Peckham, etc. I only recall Sally Ramert and Richard Klausner for their fi rst names. Quote: “You can’t soar with eagles when you fly with turkeys.”

27


WHEN AND HOW DID THE GET THEIR NAME?

By Stephanie Saad Thompson

28

Photography by Mike Savacool


When a school is approaching its centennial, it’s an occasion to celebrate its great history and traditions as well as look toward its bright future. Looking behind the scenes, however, makes us curious about how some of the aspects of Parker life we take for granted now first came to be. For instance: Just how, in fact, did the Parker Lancers get their name? This is where, we confess, we could use a little help from our alumni. Research in the archives and interviews with various staff members and alumni have helped identify more or less when the Parker Lancer came into its own as the school’s mascot. The question we haven’t quite been able to answer is how.

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW: The first time an image of a Lancer appears in conjunction with the school is on the cover of the 1967 yearbook, and the first time the word “Lancers” appears in the yearbook is 1968. This makes sense, since it’s at this time that the School, in growth mode on its way to becoming a full 9–12 high school, was developing its athletics department and community programs. In fact, a committee for that purpose was formed by the Board of Trustees in 1966, and headed by Jack Murphy, then-sports editor of the San Diego Union. School spirit, team colors and emblems, and mascots would all have been on the minds of directors and students as the Upper School’s identity coalesced. There’s evidence to show that the Lancers may have started as the name of an honor society at the school before becoming a general mascot. In 1968, a story in the Star News says, “Initiation of National Honor Society members from Francis W.

Parker School was held at Harold’s Fifth Avenue June 10, according to Headmaster J. Rollin Grant. A new senior chapter, The Lancers, were installed with first initiates...” Later that year, an Alumni Bulletin reports that the Fathers’ Club team, the Pollos, was pitted against the Lancers (identified as the School team) in a soccer game.

BY THE 1968-69 SCHOOL YEAR, it looks like Lancers was being used both as the name of the National Honor Society and to represent the athletic teams. (This was also when the School moved to its current location in Linda Vista.) An athletic event program from Homecoming 1969 reads, “Homecoming 1969: Francis W. Parker Lancers versus Mountain Empire Redskins.” Interestingly, this event also featured a halftime flag football game between the Pollos and the “Lancerettes.” Janet Smith ’51, an alumna, parent, grandparent, former trustee, and past Assistant Head of School, recalls that there was no mention of Lancers when she was a student, but by the late 1960s, she first noticed the students calling themselves the Lancers when competing in athletics. “The sports teams were competing at the gymnasium in Balboa Park at the time,” she recalls. “It was definitely when Dr. Grant was the Head of School.” Parker 'Lifer' Michael Dewart '72, remembers Parker cheerleaders used the name “Lancers” during the 1970-71 school year.

He says that in those exciting days, as Parker was coming into its own as a high school, the student body voted on both the name and the school colors. “The name ‘Lancers’ might have been suggested by a parent originally,” he says, “but I know the Student Council brought it forward as a proposal, and we all voted on it. It definitely did not come from [then-headmaster] Dr. Crone.” The evidence seems to bear him out about Dr. Doug Crone’s feelings on the name, as a couple of years later, a story in the January 29, 1972 issue of the “Aegis” (student newspaper) mentions that in an interview with the headmaster, “Also discussed was the idea of changing the school nickname from the Lancers to the Parker Suns. He said no one else in Southern California had this name and that it would make a good emblem for the gym floor and sports uniforms.” But it appears that by then, students had made it official and were quite attached to the Lancer, and Dr. Crone’s idea never gained traction.

SO: WHY THE LANCER, IN PARTICULAR? What was its inspiration? Alumni, parents, and past faculty and staffers: Do YOU have any specific memories of how Parker came to adopt the Lancer as its mascot? (Perhaps it was even your idea.) We’d love to hear them. Email us at: cmorrison@francisparker.org. If we can round out this part of the story, we’ll publish an update with your stories, and the history of the Parker Lancers will be complete!

29


STAFF PROFILE

Victor & Shorty Virgen Parker interviews as told to Monica Sawaya Victor and Shorty Virgen epitomize Parker Family, in both flesh and spirit. The siblings, who have worked at Parker for a combined 69 years, are the behind-the-scenes heart and soul of our institution—there’s nothing they can’t fi x, design, build, repair, manage, grow, plant, or landscape on either campus. They and their staff are the ones who keep our campuses running and looking so good. Our school would be unimagineable without them! 01

How long have you worked at Parker? Victor: 37 years. Shorty: 32 years.

02

Can you tell us something about Parker that we’d be surprised to learn? V: Every year we find a small snake (harmless, of course) some place on campus. S: Parker is unique, but that’s not really a surprise.

03

How many people work for you? V: 12. S: 8.

04

What have you built on campus that you’re proudest of? V: I put a lot of pride on all that I have built on campus; I guess it would be all I have worked on here. S: The overhang by the patio playground. What is the summer like for you and your staff? V: Cleaning, painting, planting and building. S: Cleaning and repairing.

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Photography by Marshall Williams

05


06

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

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V & S: Family. 07

08

What is the trait you like least about yourself?

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What is the trait you like least about others?

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Which living person do you most admire? V: Los Xoloitzcuintles de Tijuana! S: My wife.

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13

What is your current state of mind?

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What do you most dislike about your appearance? V: My gray hair. S: My nose.

16

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

25

Where would you most like to live?

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Which living person do you most despise?

What is your most treasured possession? V: My classic car. S: My house.

V & S: Nobody. 27

What is your favorite occupation? V: The one I have now. S: My current one.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? V: Emiliano Zapata. S: Benito Juarez, former president of Mexico

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Who are your heroes in real life? V & S: My kids.

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What are your favorite names? V: Victor, El Jefe. S: Shorty, Richard, Albert.

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What is it that you most dislike? V: Being late. S: Answering these silly questions! ;-)

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What is your greatest regret? V: Not visiting my family in Mexico enough. S: Not traveling.

V: Guadalajara. S: San Diego. 26

Who is your hero of fiction? V: Superman. S: Wonder Woman.

V: A horse. S: A fox.

On what occasion do you lie? V & S: Never.

15

31

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Who are your favorite writers? V: I don’t get to read much, but I like to read about the Mexican Civil War. S: I don’t have one, but I like to read science books.

V: My kids. S: My family.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? V: Sensibility. S: Patience.

30

Which talent would you most like to have?

V: To never get tired, so I can keep working endlessly. S: My running speed.

What do you most value in your friends? V: Honesty. S: Trust.

When and where were you happiest?

V & S: Dancing.

What is your greatest extravagance?

V: Good. S: Calm, happy.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

V: Home with my family. S: Home.

V: Traveling. S: Camping. 12

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V & S: My wife.

V: Not being a hard worker. S: Being late. 10

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

What is your most marked characteristic? V: My hair. S: My smile.

V: “Got a minute?” S: “Yes!”

V: Can’t think of one. S: Nothing. 09

28

V: Nice legs… ;-) S: Caring.

What is your greatest fear? V: Not being able to be healthy enough for my family or work. S: To be sick.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

37

How would you like to die? V & S: Sleeping.

38

What is your motto? V: “Is it on the calendar?” S: “Smile!”

31


NOTHING BUT LOVE

100 Things to Love About Parker

51

Lower School Squires: Who wouldn’t want to go to Parker after spending an afternoon with our Mission Hills campus ambassadors?

52 Ikidarod: Who let the dogs out? 53 The Mighty Parker Pep Band: These kids ROCK the House! 54 Summer Programs: The school year begins with the Summer program. 55 Championship Robotics and Academic Competitions: We really can build a better mousetrap, and defi nitely the best robot. 56 Girls’ Volleyball State Champs: Blue banner #8, going right up! 57 The Kaleidoscope: An award for true visionaries, like our dedicated Board of Trustees. (Leading the way in Exceptional Non-profit Governance) 58 And Every Class Before, After and In Between: each group is special, and brings their own unique perspective and gifts to the Parker community.

59 Centennial Community Service Day: Nearly 500 Parker volunteers– students, parents, teachers, alumni, and grandparents–spread out to 4 sites in San Diego County. Refreshed, renewed, reinvigorated...and that’s just how the volunteers felt, too.

66 CAIS-WASC: They came, they saw, they accredited.

60 Middle School Olympics: creativity, competition, and fun—a wonderful tradition keeps getting better.

69 JDOF (Junior Day of Fun): They’ve earned it!

61

Parker Libraries: With 34,000 volumes on two campuses, print and digital live well together.

62 6th grade Monologues, 5th grade Wax Museum: Learning comes alive. 63 Our SmugMug Photo Galleries: Awesome photos by awesome parent and alumni parent volunteers. Save digital copies for free, order prints and merch. If you haven’t checked it out, you’re missing out! francisparker.smugmug.com 64 The Class of 2013: 125 Lancers will soon head out into the Big World. We are proud of you. 65 The Class of 2026: Believe it or not, today’s junior kindergartners will be tomorrow’s seniors.

32

67 LS Fun Run: Exactly the way it sounds. 68 The Couches in Ms. O’s room: Just one of the Senior Privileges.

70 Interim Week: Extraordinary experiences provided by fascinating faculty. 71 Talent Shows: There’s always a WOW factor, whether you’re watching Lower, Middle or Upper School students. 72 LS Grade-Level Plays: from Fairy Tale Forest to Oh California, a role for everyone in the class. 73 LS Playgrounds: The Canyon Playground for the littlest Lancers, and the Blue Playground for when you’re old enough. Milestones and memories. 75

Szekely Auditorium: If these walls could talk...well, in a way they can. Check out the student artwork regularly on display by our students each year.


74 J. Crivello Hall: Did you hear that? Of course you did, the acoustics are amazing!

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53

56

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55

60

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Photography by Cathy Morrison, Mike Muckley, Frank Ooms and Parker SmugMug Galleries.

33


NOTHING BUT LOVE

100 Things to Love About Parker

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78

76

77

94

99

84 Photography by Laura Coburn, Lorenzo Gunn, Cathy Morrison, Frank Ooms, and Parker SmugMug Galleries

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80

93

86


79 The Lancer Lawn: Designed to showcase Commencement, but also perfect for Frisbee, Clubs assemblies and Senior/ Kindergarten Buddy events.

76

Honoring Retiring Parker Faculty: Saluting Ms. Joan Dorgan, Mr. Tony Ghironi, Dr. John Lown, Mrs. Meg Peckham and Mrs. Corinne Towers. With 147 combined years of Parker teaching experience, it’s safe to say that 4 out of 5 Upper Schoolers and 3 out of 5 alumni have had at least one of these teachers.

77 Promotion Ceremonies for 5th and 8th Grades: Ready for the next division. 78 Pomp and Circumstance: June 1, 2013, 4:00pm. 80 Middle Drama and Upper School Theatre Productions: You’ll likely see some of these performers again professionally someday. 81 Student Government: From fi rst grade through 12th grade, leadership training starts here. 82 History Day: County, State and Nationals. Once you start, you don’t want to stop. 83 Parker Endowment: A school can’t live by tuition alone.

84 Brown and Gold: Originally inspired by yellow violets in the canyon, we make these colors look good. That splash of Centennial teal helps. 85 Parker Parents’ Association: You came, you cheered, you volunteered. 86 12,000 Hours: the average number of community service hours given to the greater San Diego community by our students each year. 87 Campus Gardens: They’ll grow on you. 88 5th Grade Colonial Faire: The evolution of clothing makes sense now. 89 LS 1-to-1 iPad Program: The world at their fi ngertips. 90 Alumni Networking Event: We’re all connected! 91 MS Life Skills Program: Allowing adolescents a sense of young adulthood. 92 7th Grade Community Awareness Days: A glimpse of the world outside the front gate.

93 Parker Athletics: 23 sports, 3 seasons, 5 grades, we’re all Lancers at heart. 94 Dances: whether it’s their fi rst dance in 6th grade, or Prom, time-honored rituals meet new traditions. And new dance moves. 95 5th grade Overnights on the Californian: Ahoy mates! 96 Alumni Council: Staying true to your school. 97 JK Water Day/LS Field Day: Ever heard the expression “They’ll have a field day with that!”? 98 Dress Down Days: Make you appreciate the simplicity of uniforms. Not that anyone wants to admit that. 99 The Parker Window: Looking. Seeing. Visionary. 100 Centennial Celebration: It’s going to be unlike anything else you’ve ever experienced at Parker. June 8, 2013, 6:00pm. Seriously, don’t miss this!

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PARKER

CENTENNIAL

S AT U R DAY

JUNE 8 ONE TRULY UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATION Join alumni, parents, past parents, faculty, former faculty, staff, grandparents and friends in celebrating the first 100 years of Parker and toasting the next 100. We promise this will be an evening to remember! See who’s coming and register at FRANCISPARKER.ORG/CENTENNIAL WHERE ARE YOU HEADING? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED? WHO DO YOU MISS? WHAT WILL YOU SHARE? ONE HUNDRED YEARS. THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS. MILLIONS OF DREAMS. COUNTLESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. ONE UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATION.


NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL

6501 Linda Vista Road San Diego, CA 92111 www.francisparker.org

Behind the Scenes / Spring 2013

Parker Magazine

Photography by Lorenzo Gunn

Riley Manifold ’13 is the Sound Engineer behind the scenes for the Middle School production of Jungle Book in December 2012.

Save the Date! June 8, 2013

1500 people will be on campus for the Centennial Celebration, will you be one of them?

Centennial Celebration 6:00pm

Class Reunion Cocktail Party 4:00-6:00pm Classes of ‘73, ‘78, ‘83, ‘88, ‘93, ‘98, ‘03, ‘08

Register and see who’s coming at francisparker.org/centennial

Honoring Esteemed Faculty Retirees 4:30pm

Athletics Hall of Fame 5:30pm

Inaugural Arts Hall of Fame 7:00pm


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