as far as the mind can see
VISUALIZING MUSIC BACKSTAGE ARTISTRY EXPLORING HISTORY
Fall 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD
Always a Lancer DEAR PARKER COMMUNITY,
This past spring, I found myself joining Derek Hobson ’04 and Allie Barry ’04 in marriage at a beautiful ceremony in Point Loma. In attendance, along with the families and friends of the bride and groom, were nearly two dozen Parker graduates who traveled from around the country to share in this special occasion. More than a decade had passed since Commencement scattered these Lancers across the country to begin college at places like Penn, USC, Duke, SDSU, Stanford and NYU. It wasn’t long before each embarked on a professional path leading them to careers in education, law, finance, interior design and
Photo by 8Twenty8
Of all the duties and opportunities that come with serving as Parker’s Head of School, one I did not foresee was being asked by two Parker graduates to officiate their wedding.
Read about the wedding of Allie Barry ’04 and Derek Hobson ’04 in Alumni Class Notes.
exercise science. Now they are living and working in cities across America. Yet nothing was going to keep them from returning home to celebrate the wedding of their Parker classmates. During the reception, all they wanted to talk about was Parker. They laughed, reminisced and spoke of how much they loved their school and, especially, their teachers. Names like Chuck Wineholt, Letty Robinson, Chris Harrington, Birdy Hartman, Rose Hanscom and Barry Cheskaty were at the heart of every conversation.
Later in the evening, parents of the graduates asked me if I would let the Parker faculty and staff know how grateful they were for all that Parker had done to help raise these once-young kids and shape them into the caring and capable adults they are today. Among the priceless outcomes of being at Parker are the cherished, lifelong bonds we form through our shared School experience. I hope you’ll enjoy celebrating the many wonderful Parker people and experiences highlighted in this edition of the Parker Magazine.
All the best,
Kevin Yaley 1
PARKER MAGAZINE FALL 2015 EDITOR Graciela Sevilla CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lori Foote ’94 GRAPHIC DESIGN Buchanan Design COPY EDITOR Alexa Apallas CONTRIBUTORS Pat Flynn ’75 Aida Bustos Garcia Tracy J. Jones David Ogul Tiffany Yu
contents 12 17 22
PHOTOGRAPHY Earnie Grafton Fred Greaves Nancee Lewis Photography Send questions, story suggestions or address corrections to: communications@francisparker.org Communications Office Francis Parker School 6501 Linda Vista Road San Diego, CA 92111 Parker Magazine online www.francisparker.org/magazine
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EXPLORING HISTORY
Students win acclaim for mining past
BACKSTAGE ARTISTRY
Making magic behind the curtain
VISUALIZING MUSIC
Lower School art lines museum walls
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BRAVA, BRAVISSIMA!
Teacher shines on stage and in class
PAVING A PATH TO PARKER
New admissions ambassador
WALL OF CHAMPIONS 40 years of athletic victory
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
2015-2016 Francis Parker School Board of Trustees Kathy Purdon, Chair Andrew Clark Randy Clark Susan Davey Rich Effress Susan (Hansen) Fox ’86 Shakha Gillin, M.D. Robert Gleason Maria Heredia Robert Howard Randy Jones Susan Lester Kelly Price Noble Stella Pai Jeff Silberman ’75 Hamilton Southworth III Mary Taylor Ted Tchang ’81 Steve Tomlin Jeff Von Behren ’90 David Wellis Sarah White Caroline Rentto Wohl ’86 Kevin Yaley, Head of School
25 FRONT COVER Corryn Knapp, Class of 2015, with her kinder buddy, Brieana Brown, Class of 2027, enjoy a sunny day on Mission Bay during the seniorkinder kite flying outing. Photo by Earnie Grafton.
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BACK COVER The Commencement procession files past the Linda Vista Campus canyon on May 30, 2015. Photo by Fred Greaves. 3
CLASS OF
2015
COMMEN
Maddie Ottilie walking to receive her diploma from Head of School Kevin Yaley.
We have left our trace in the atmosphere of this school, just as it has left a trace on us. — Max Feye
NCEMENT
What is Francis Parker School? It is a safe place, a kind place, another home. — Remington Mooney
Graduate Alec Chambers gets a high five from Ari Gass, Upper School math teacher 6
b
a
c
d
e Clockwise from top left: a) Max Feye closes his speech with burst of passion and soda. b) Kevin Yaley, Head of School, addresses the graduates. c) Some 2,000 family members and friends joined the celebration. d) (left to right) Hannah Schneider, Serena Romaya and Claire Nussbaum capture final pre-ceremony moments. e) Graduates take in the moment.
Parker has armed us not just with knowledge and bountiful resources but with skills for life. — Emory Hingorani
PHOTOS BY EARNIE GRAFTON AND FRED GREAVES QUOTES FROM GRADUATES 7
COMMENCEMENT 2015
Celebration and Inspiration AS FAR AS THE MIND CAN SEE Saturday, May 30 was a day bathed in sunshine and smiles as the Class of 2015 stepped from Lancer Lawn onto the Commencement stage. Among them were outstanding scholars, athletes, artists, musicians, leaders and innovators. Marking the celebration were remarks by valedictorian Olivia Ghosh and the class speaker nominated by his peers, Max Feye. Their thoughtful and clever speeches were followed by the keynote, delivered by elite longdistance runner Meb Keflezighi.
Keflezighi told the seniors that while growing up in Linda Vista, he rode the school bus past Francis Parker School and competed against Parker students in track meets. As a professional athlete, Keflezighi has won many medals and titles. But after touring the School and meeting the talented students, he said he was honored by the invitation to speak at Commencement.
Weeks before the ceremony, the three-time Olympian and winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon met with seniors on the Linda Vista Campus for conversation and lunch. It was then that he first shared his personal story of a precarious childhood. Keflezighi was just a young boy when he and his family became refugees after fleeing their homeland of Eritrea where, he said, they “faced war, famine and drought.” They made their way to Italy and eventually arrived in San Diego.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF COMMENCEMENT AND MEB KEFLEZIGHI’S SPEECH HERE: WWW.FRANCISPARKER.ORG/MEB
Top: Meb Keflezighi, Olympic marathon runner, spoke of overcoming obstacles. Bottom right: Senior class leaders Alec Chambers, Claire Nussbaum and Charlotte Dick Godfrey led Meb and his brother, Hawi Keflezighi, on a campus tour during a visit in early May. 8
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Photo by Studio M La Jolla
LOWER SCHOOL PROMOTION
CLASS OF
2022
Smiling from ear to ear, 66 junior leaders of tomorrow stood tall on June 12 as they were promoted from Grade 5 at the Mission Hills Campus.
Visit www.francisparker.org/5promotion to see the list of rising Grade 6 students. 10
Olga Gunn Photography
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMOTION
CLASS OF
2019
With sights set on making a difference, 103 students of the Middle School were proudly promoted from Grade 8 on June 11 at the Field House.
Visit www.francisparker.org/8promotion to see the list of rising Grade 9 students. 11
Mary Tobin, Class of 2016, with her presentation display for her project, “Ride Sally Ride: The Leadership and Legacy of Sally Ride.” Mary’s project came in third in California. She was also county champion and received the library research award at the county competition. 12
History Comes to Life STUDENTS DELVE DEEPLY INTO THE PAST BY DAVID OGUL
NANCEE LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Most students learn about historical figures from books. But Parker students track them down for conversation. Singer Tony Bennett, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and Sergei Nikitich Khrushchev, the son of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, are just some of the luminaries that students have interviewed in preparation for National History Day competitions. “The interview process has really helped me grow as a person,” said Anoushka Bose, Class of 2016. Parker teams routinely win matches at the regional, state and national levels. Just five years ago, the School logged more winners at nationals than did the entire state of New Jersey. “You really have to amass worlds of information, break it down, take it apart, analyze it piece by piece, make sense of it all and put it back together again,” said M. Connor Smith, who has competed at nationals three times with classmates Isaac Gray and Daniel Leibowitz, Class of 2016.
Elias Jinich, Class of 2018, talks with Cherie Redelings, History Department Chair, at the summer bonfire kicking off the 2015-2016 History Day competition season.
You really have to amass worlds of information, break it down ... and put it back together again. – M. CONNOR SMITH, ’16
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(left to right) Isaac Gray and Anoushka Bose, Class of 2016, enjoy the bonfire at the History Day 2015-2016 team launch party in August.
For competition, students research historic documents and artifacts, conduct oral histories, search the Internet and libraries for information and travel to historic sites. They present their work in a variety of ways, including museum-type exhibits, video documentaries, websites, original performances and traditional research papers. “It’s really a wonderful way to enrich history and sharpen a variety of critical learning skills that will play an invaluable role in our students’ lives,” said Middle School history teacher Mary Ong-Dean.
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BRINGING HISTORY ALIVE The awards are just one piece of the remarkable history program that spans the Middle and Upper School curriculum. At Parker, history is not taught in a silo. Instead, the subject is given relevance in seemingly unrelated courses such as economics, philosophy, art and geography. As students gain knowledge, those eager to put their skills to the test in competition are coached by History Department Chair Cherie Redelings and Ong-Dean. Both teachers have won national acclaim for their excellence in instruction.
Redelings was one of 18 educators nationwide and the only Californian chosen to take part in the Understanding Sacrifice program by the National Battle Monuments Commission. She used her stipend to do field study in England, France, the Netherlands and Belgium during the summer of 2015 to develop lesson materials on World War II. Ong-Dean was selected in 2014 as one of two finalists for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award from California for outstanding demonstration of the “development and use of creative teaching methods to interest
students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.” Redelings won the award in 2011. Together, Redelings and OngDean coach the History Day teams through months of work to polish their award-winning presentations. One of the more memorable entries in Parker’s storied tradition of National History Day competitions was called “Coffee Stirs the World.” “It was a video documentary,” said Redelings. “And it was flavored with wonderful puns and unforced humor.” In fact, “Coffee Stirs the World,” which tracked the drink’s impact on societies and governments through the centuries, also was the first History Day Competition entry from Parker to make Nationals in 2000. A significant factor in History Day Competition success is the ability to answer what Redelings calls the Big Philosophical Question. “It really needs to include a discussion of the implication of your topic in the wider world of human experience,” Redelings said. “It separates a project from being little more than a Wikipedia entry into a thorough historical analysis.” “Coffee Stirs the World” illustrated how the beverage profoundly impacted social, political and economic forces.
detailed how the beverage was once frowned upon in Prussia because authorities felt it was cutting into beer sales. They noted that Pope Clement VIII baptized the drink favored by Muslims so that it would be suitable for Christians who had warred against the Muslims. “I didn’t know any of this until ‘Coffee Stirs the World’,” Redelings said. Approximately 600,000 students nationwide take part in the National History Day program. More than 35,000 California students entered last year’s competition, which had the theme of “Leadership and Legacy in History.” Among the 74 California students who qualified for Nationals, nearly 1 in 10 was from Parker. Developing a deep understanding of a historical subject is quite an accomplishment for any Middle or Upper School student. “Being questioned by the judges has forced me to learn how to defend my work, how to be open to different opinions and interpretations, and how to better
articulate my thoughts,” said Anoushka. “It’s been an incredible experience.” But the benefits of joining the History Day team extend beyond the academic. Not to be overlooked are the friendships it builds. Jessica Bocinski, Sarah Ogle and Sara Yuen, Class of 2016, spent hundreds of hours together while working on their project, “The Art of Rights: Quest to Recover Stolen Nazi Art.” The three made Sarah’s house their headquarters where they cooked and ate meals together while preparing their project. They traveled to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles for research and interviewed leading experts in the field. They became inseparable. “I basically lived at Sarah’s house for a year of my life,” Jessica said. The close collaboration paid off. The girls’ project took the Herbert Nykirk Visual Art in History award at the 2014 National History Day– California competition.
Being questioned by the judges has forced me to learn how to defend my work ... and how to better articulate my thoughts. – ANOUSHKA BOSE, ’16
Paul Wozniak, Sean McNeece and Katie Schlein, Class of 2005,
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After qualifying for the final round of competition in the National History Day in California 2015, students surround Middle School History teacher Mary Ong-Dean. Pictured left to right: Gabriel Jinich, Nicolas del Rio and Neusha Kharrati, Class of 2020.
A TEAM EFFORT Clearly, Parker’s History Day competitors are successful due to teamwork, parental support and above all, exceptional teachers. Sarah, now a freshman at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, explains: “Before I went to Parker, I didn’t really like history all that much. But I came here and had some great history teachers, some amazing instructors who brought history alive and made it more than just reading about a bunch of dead people.” Redelings shares the praise for her faculty colleagues. “We have teachers who are scholars of ancient history, American law, international relations, world religions, the American Civil War, Latin American revolutions, the Second World War, philosophy, etc. Not only are the teachers vitally interested in these fields, they are happy to discuss them with students. “If you walk by a social studies classroom in the Middle or Upper School, you will invariably find students spending their free periods or after-school time there, discussing issues with teachers and other students.” It all comes together with the History Day Competition. “This is a very competitive national program that Parker students have taken part and done well in for years, thanks to the volunteer efforts of Parker parents 16
and the incredible work of Mary Ong-Dean and Cherie Redelings,” said Marilyn Tobin, a Parker parent who also serves as chief financial officer for the Foundation for National History Day, San Diego County. “Parents support it because we see how successful it is, how much our kids are learning from it, and the many opportunities it affords.” ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON In June 2015, Parker wrapped up yet another successful competition season. Judged by historians and educators against the work of students nationwide, half of the Parker entries were recognized as division finalists in their respective categories. Isaac has a ready answer when asked what it takes for a team to succeed. “Start early, meet frequently,” he said. Expect more of the same this year. The theme: “Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History.” Students have been meeting since summer. Neusha Kharrati is more than ready. “I’ll be doing History Day every year until I graduate,” said the Grade 8 student, who was Junior Division Finalist at nationals last year—her first foray into the competition. “I really like history. It fascinates me. I’m really excited about this year.”
Bryce Kelety, Class of 2017, adjusts lighting for stage production.
World of Stagecraft NEW TECHNICAL THEATER PROGRAM LETS STUDENTS RUN THE SHOW BY PAT FLYNN ′75
NANCEE LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY
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Left: Nicole Britton, Class of 2019, works on a stage installation. Right: Katie Dawson, technical theater teacher, gets help from Nicole to build a set design.
Not every young person who is a drama fan dreams of basking in the limelight. There are devoted artists who prefer to practice their craft backstage. “Some students love theater,” said Katie Dawson, Parker’s new fulltime technical theater instructor. “But you couldn’t pay them to get on the stage.” Thanks in large part to a grant from the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, Parker has launched a technical theater arts program that will support the Drama Department’s productions while providing formal instruction to students interested in nonperforming roles. “Technical theater refers to the lights, sets, costumes, special effects, sound, stage management, running the shows,” said drama teacher Elise Marinkovich. 18
Before Dawson started the 2014-2015 academic year as a parttime employee, the School hired outside contractors to run the behind-the-scenes operations of productions in the Amelita GalliCurci Performing Arts Center and J. Crivello Hall. “Now we have Ms. Dawson, who is very learned in tech in all respects and is here all the time,” said Kaelyn Keppes, a Grade 11 student. “She knows not just how to do it, but also how to teach us so we understand what we need to know. And she always is safety based.” Funds from Parker were matched by the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation and were invested in lighting, sound, stage and projection equipment. The tech theater program also picked up an array of set- and costume-making tools, and a wealth of safety equipment,
including safety goggles, gloves, dust masks, kneepads, earmuffs and first aid material. “Without basic tools, and without multiple copies of those tools, it’s hard to teach someone to do a job,” Dawson said. “With 10 hammers, you can teach 10 people to do it.” Jack Morrill, a Grade 9 student, has been a performer since Grade 6, but he also has worked sewing costumes, doing makeup and helping to direct. Now his imagination is sparked by the new possibilities. “This is going to be a major change for the drama club,” he said. “Now, with our own person 24/7, we can put on better shows, bigger shows. The grant and all the supplies it bought us will allow us to build bigger sets and change over our theater and how it looks easier. We can also do a lot of the building a lot more safely.”
Miles Blue, Class of 2020, Bryce Kelety, Class of 2017, and Jack Morrill, Class of 2019, construct safety rails for a production.
Mark Femia, in his first year teaching drama and musical theater at Parker, said having a technical theater instructor is essential for an ambitious drama program. “I came from a school that also had a full-time technical person,” Femia said. “It provides support for the shows and consistent instruction for the kids. All of this really shows a significant commitment to bulking up the Drama Department and making it bigger and better.” Eager students wasted no time in joining Dawson in August to begin preparation for the fall production of “Shrek: The Musical.” “It is starting out as a club and will progress into a class,” said Dawson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from Colorado College and a master’s of fine arts degree from California State University, Humboldt.
Plans call for introducing beginning and intermediate technical theater classes in the Middle School and then adding focused classes in the Upper School in areas such as costuming, lighting and set design, and construction. Marinkovich said the effort to create a technical theater program began when she was brainstorming several years ago with recently retired Upper School drama teacher Gordon Cantiello. “We really wanted to have a program where the kids are learning everything about theater,” she said. They pitched their thoughts to Dan Lang, Head of the Middle School. “He really was a major driving force in this because he listened,” Marinkovich said. “We would not have gotten here without his support, without him sharing in the vision of the drama program and the arts program in general.”
Lang said it was only logical to create a technical theater program. “One of the main things we want to do is put the kids in a position to do the learning, which means they need to do the work,” he said. “That’s what happens in every other classroom. When the kids leave math class, they’ve learned by doing the work. “If we produce a show as adults, we’re not letting them do the work. We’re putting on an adult show with kids in it.” Lang said he shares the enthusiasm expressed by theater students and faculty. “I can’t wait to see all the things the kids will be able to pull off,” he said. “The things the kids will create in this new environment, that’s what excites me.” 19
and all that jazz! All the glitter, glamour and grit of “Chicago: The Musical” was brought to life in a dazzling performance by Upper School drama students in April.
“As actors, you take your art everywhere you go,” he told them. “Be proud and sing your song forever. Let nobody take away your song.”
All performances were sold out and audiences were wowed. Among the crowds were judges for the Ben Vereen Awards, who nominated the show for Best Musical production by a San Diego County high school.
Creating a character is such a gift because you get to keep a part of that character’s spark inside of you.
Parker was also distinguished by nominations for two students for Best Actress: Caroline Lezny for her portrayal of Velma, the villainess with dreams of stardom, and Ruby Ross who played Roxie, Velma’s jailhouse rival.
Following the visit, the entire cast was invited to perform in competition before a packed house at the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego. “I will never forget the feeling that washed over me after stepping onstage for the first time at the Balboa Theatre and looking out at the 1,300 seats,” said Caroline Lezny. “It was incredible.”
Nancee Lewis Photography
Vereen himself delivered the news to the students in a motivational visit to the Linda Vista Campus. The legendary stage and screen star was beaming as he met the students.
– Ruby Ross ’15
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Actor Ben Vereen with the cast of "Chicago" and Gordon Cantiello, who retired from the drama department in June 2015.
Corey McAuliffe ’16 razzle-dazzled them as Bill Flynn, shown here with the Ensemble Women of “Chicago.”
The solo nominees also gave individual performances. “Not only was being nominated for the Ben Vereen Awards an honor, but it was also a great opportunity for me to continue portraying Roxie, a character to whom I had grown really attached after months of rehearsal for ‘Chicago’,” said Ruby Ross. Both Caroline and Ruby, now Grade 12 students, went on to compete in the Southwest Regional competition in Tucson, Arizona, and participated in a master performance class with Vereen.
Ruby had this advice for students who have been tempted by the stage: “I would definitely encourage all students to try theater at some point,” she said. “It is a way to step out of yourself and perform in front of a large audience without the responsibility of baring your own soul. Creating a character is such a gift because you get to keep a part of that character’s spark inside of you. I know I will always keep Roxie’s fiery spirit in me.” – G. Sevilla
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Artistic Flourish LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOW MUSEUM-QUALITY CREATIVITY BY AIDA BUSTOS GARCIA
PHOTOS BY HEATHER GRAY
Squiggly lines, bright colors, images of people and objects in oddly proportioned shapes and sizes—these imaginative ingredients were all placed with care into joyous collages crafted by students in Grade 2. The youthful creativity caught the eye of San Diego Museum of Art judges who selected three artworks from Parker’s youngest artists to be displayed alongside the museum’s permanent collection. The exhibit, “Young Art 2015: Visualizing Music,” which explored the creative intersection of art and music, also included a painting by a Parker Grade 7 student. Some 700 students countywide, in Kindergarten through Grade 12, competed for 300 spots in the exhibit. An audio guide narrated by the artists and student-led tours were among the family-friendly activities offered during the museum show. “There’s power in exhibiting artwork,” said Margo Sharpe, who teaches art in the Lower School. “It gives the students an opportunity to talk about their work to the audience, to explain the emotions behind it. And it’s very encouraging.”
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Art also frees the imagination. That unscripted expression is precisely why 7-year-old Jayden Haims says she loves the class. “I can let my mind go free and do what I want,” said Jayden.
It was such a great honor to be in the museum. – AUDREY FUNDINGSLAND
She and Audrey Fundingsland created one of the collages selected for the Museum of Art exhibit. Jayden said the friendship she shares with two “very, very good friends” was the inspiration for their piece showing three young women playing instruments. “We thought it would be fun to show friends working together in a band,” said Jayden, who plays the guitar.
Left: Grade 3 students (left to right) Katie Kelley, Jayden Haims, Audrey Fundingsland and Maddie Schwab proudly show their artwork inside Margo Sharpe’s Lower School art classroom. 23
The whole school is really one big art gallery. – MARGO SHARPE
The girls, and their families, attended the opening reception for the exhibit in April. “It was really nice to see it hanging at the museum,” Jayden said. “A little bit of light on it made it pop out.” The girls were later invited to talk about their piece to museumgoers during a special event—quite an experience for the young students. “It was such a great honor to be in the museum,” said Audrey. At the Mission Hills Campus, Sharpe is a warm guiding force as she works with each youngster, encouraging them to unleash their creativity and build their confidence. Putting imagination on canvas is one way students learn to express their creativity at Parker, a process Sharpe called “finding their voice.”
“The whole school is really one big art gallery,” said Sharpe, who has taught at Parker for 11 years. Starting in Grade 1, students attend Sharpe’s class to learn basic skills and formats using a variety of media and tools including paints, colored pencils, yarn, fabric, modeling clay and recycled objects. Sprinkled in are lessons about the great artists and artwork throughout history. “The students often tell me that they recognize these works in all kinds of places, such as restaurants,” Sharpe said. “And many tell me they have personally seen them at museums in London, Paris and New York.”
Each lesson begins with a colorful slide show set to music, introducing students to examples of art that support a particular theme. For the theme of music and art, the teacher showed the Grade 2 students famous works such as Picasso’s “Three Musicians” and Matisse’s “Music.” In the earliest grades, there is a lot of directed drawing, but as the students advance, they have increasing freedom to express themselves using the media they choose. The art teacher’s goal is to give students the skills to express themselves creatively long after they leave the small tables and chairs in her class. “Not everybody will become an artist,” Sharpe said. “But it’s nice to have something that you can do by yourself that gives you pleasure.”
The aspiring artists use their art for the greater good, too. Every art class donates a piece to be sold to the highest bidder at the annual Gala auction. Students also make place mats for the Meals on Wheels program during the holidays. Visitors to the Lower School find student works displayed on the walls year-round. A parent volunteer, Allison Walsh, hangs the students’ works on bulletin boards, in the library and the cafeteria, and, of course, in the art classroom. 24
“Singing Humming Bird” by Connor Duncan, Class of 2020, was also shown at the San Diego Museum of Art “Visualizing Music” exhibition.
FACULTY PROFILE
SCIENCE BY DAY, ART BY NIGHT TEACHER BLENDS RIGHT- AND LEFT-BRAIN PASSIONS BY TRACY J. JONES
NANCEE LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Hima Joshi, Ph.D., easily transitions from talking neurons by day to hitting high notes by night. Whether she’s bringing classical music to life onstage or teaching chemistry, Joshi’s talents always shine through. The magic melding of right- and left-brain passions is, in fact, something of a family tradition.
Hima Joshi’s passion for chemistry burns bright during a lesson in her Upper School classroom.
“In my family, everyone has scientific day jobs and then artistic hobbies,” she explained. “My mother is a pediatrician and a published poet, while my father, now retired, worked as a database analyst and plays a musical instrument. My brother works in computer science and does visual arts.” 25
FACULTY PROFILE
Joshi earned her Ph.D. in bio-organic chemistry from the University of California, San Diego. But it was her artistic side that was on full display in June, when she held an hour-long concert, “Intro to Opera: A Musical Crash Course,” at Parker’s J. Crivello Hall. (She staged an encore performance in September at Point Loma Nazarene University.)
“I was so honored to receive the award knowing a committee of past recipients made the selection,” she said.
Joshi designed a program aimed at enlightening and entertaining both opera newbies and die-hard fans with the help of her vocal instructor, Tina Sayers. She was accompanied in the performance by pianist Ines Irawati and narrator Jeremy Copp, Ph.D.— Joshi’s husband.
Before coming to Parker, Joshi taught at the University of San Diego and at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She returned to San Diego and joined the Parker faculty in fall of 2009, after realizing, “I needed a bigger city and missed my husband, who was doing research in San Diego.”
The program included operatic works from Mozart and Strauss to Previn and Puccini. Joshi’s evocative performance—complete with props and costume changes—earned enthusiastic bravos from her Parker colleagues.
Her first years at Parker were a learning experience. “I went from teaching sophomore chemistry majors in organic chemistry at Cal Poly to teaching Upper School freshmen.”
“She has a passion for music that’s just as big as her love of science, and she loves sharing both!” said Michael Gonzales, a Middle and Upper School guitar teacher. A student of voice since her youth, Joshi continues to take lessons. “I force myself to do some sort of public recital every year.”
Joshi lets her musical talent shine on stage in J. Crivello Hall. 26
In 2014, Joshi was able to advance her vocal pursuits with funds earned as a recipient of the Mulliken Family– Lane Foundation Endowment for Teaching Excellence.
At Parker, she discovered that she loves working with Upper School students. “It’s early in their careers. They grow up right before your eyes, and being part of that growth is extremely satisfying,” she said.
FACULTY PROFILE
Hima’s students embrace the challenges she sets because they know she will be there at every step to ensure their success. – Laura Capolino Currently teaching Grades 10 through 12, Joshi works with Parker’s top science students in her advanced chemistry and Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry classes. To engage students, Joshi has a simple philosophy: “If I’m not entertained, then they aren’t entertained, either.” “America’s Next Top Model: Chemistry Edition” is among one of her more innovative class projects. Inspiration hit while grading papers with the reality show playing in the background. “Suddenly, the meaning of the word ‘model’ came through since we use handheld ball-and-stick molecular models,” she said. Working in groups, her students pick a drug or medicine to study and a molecule to build. When they make their “runway entrance” carrying their molecule model, it has to be engaging and tied to their topic. There is even a panel to judge their presentations. “The LSD group might come in wearing tie-dye and playing psychedelic music while the ibuprofen group walks in talking about tennis elbow,” she said. Science Department Chair Laura Capolino finds that “Hima’s students embrace the challenges she sets because they know she will be there at every step to ensure their success.” Joshi is continuing to challenge students this fall by offering a new honors organic chemistry course. At the college level, organic chemistry is considered a “weedout course” because so many students struggle. “If I can give Parker students a taste now, then maybe when they see it in college, they’ll be just a little more prepared.”
She compares “o chem” to learning a new language that’s “so cumulative you need to be on top of your game at the beginning of the year.” Joshi believes that “it’s a differentiator for the School and impressive to admissions officers.” Not to mention a lot of fun. “It’s not an AP class, so I can move the class toward my and my students’ interests.” When asked what she loves about her job, Joshi doesn’t hesitate: “Being with students and talking chemistry. That’s why I do this.” Joshi may be a soprano, but she’s no diva. She finds time to let off steam by playing in the San Diego Floor Hockey League. “I’m one of the worst players on my team but I love it,” she laughed.
MULLIKEN FAMILY–LANE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE Established in 2002 by the Mulliken family, Noreen, David, David ’96, and Doug ’01 with the support of the Ruth Lane Foundation, this award recognizes outstanding Upper School teachers and coaches who have distinguished themselves by virtue of their commitment to excellence and dedication to students and whose enthusiasm for teaching upholds the highest standards. This fund provides teachers or coaches with an award for professional or program development. The 2014 honorees were Michelle Adelman, Alex Gomez and Hima Joshi. The recently awarded 2015 recipients are David Glassey, Eric Taylor and Stacey Zoyiopoulos.
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LEADERSHIP PROFILE
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Jacquie Wilson greets alumna Paige Hazard ’96 at the New Parent Dinner held on the Mission Hills Campus in September.
Admissions Ambassador NEW DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT EMBRACES THE ROLE BY TRACY J. JONES
PHOTOS BY EARNIE GRAFTON
As Parker’s admission season kicks off, new Director of Enrollment Jacqueline “Jacquie” Wilson is keeping her focus firmly on the School’s defining values.
She and her team “are preparing to welcome prospective families to campus and are looking forward to sharing with them the fullness of the Parker experience.”
School in Washington, D.C. Many children of prominent political families have attended Sidwell, including Chelsea Clinton and Sasha and Malia Obama.
“Global learning, intellectual curiosity, concern for others, social and personal responsibility—these are values that are important to me personally and professionally,” Wilson said.
A DISTINGUISHED CAREER In her first year at Parker, Wilson plans to spend a lot of her time listening and learning. “This is really a time for me to understand what admissions means at Parker.”
“It’s a Quaker school and in that environment, students were appreciated for their uniqueness and individuality,” she said. Wilson was pleased to discover a similar commitment at Parker, where faculty and staff work to develop each individual student’s strengths and talents.
Happily transplanted from the East Coast this summer, Wilson has enthusiastically embraced her new role in spotting Parker promise among applicants.
Wilson joined Parker in July, after six years as the Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Sidwell Friends
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LEADERSHIP PROFILE Early in her career, Wilson taught math and science at Sidwell before earning an M.A. from Loyola University. She went on to work as the Admissions Office Manager and Director of Financial Aid at Landon School, the Interim Executive Director of the Black Student Fund, and the Enrollment Director at Academy of Holy Names before returning to Sidwell. “I was a classroom teacher for many years. While I taught students in preschool through college, with the exception of first graders, my concentration was math,” she said.
her inner fan. Her favorite team is the Philadelphia Eagles, and she plans to be a regular in the stands cheering on the Lancers. Her interest in sports is not just as a spectator. She has many years of experience coaching Grade 8 boys football teams and a girls varsity basketball team. STRENGTHENING THE STUDENT BODY Because Wilson firmly believes there is no one mold for the “ideal” Parker student, she weighs many elements when making an
I’m simply humbled and excited to write this next chapter in my life as a member of the Parker family. – JACQUIE WILSON
“I spent just over 10 years teaching math to middle school and high school students.” For the self-described math geek who walks around with an “I Love ” mug, “keeping one foot in the classroom has kept me connected to the students and teachers and able to authentically represent a school.” Balancing out the scholarly side of Wilson is her love of sports. Just strike up a conversation about football if you want to bring out
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admissions decision, including balancing the distribution of boys and girls, scholars and athletes, and students with varied interests and experiences. She also strives to include students from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in each class level. Her goal, she says, is “to identify a diversity of qualified students who will both succeed academically and be active contributors to the Parker community.”
On the financial assistance side of the equation, Wilson wants to increase community outreach so that “Parker’s strong commitment to socioeconomic diversity is emphasized and we work to make sure Parker is affordable to families that qualify for financial assistance.” With a financial assistance budget of well over $4 million, Parker is dedicated to “bridging the gap between what families can afford and the tuition,” she said. “It’s a privilege to be a part of providing that financial help and it’s a message I’m eager to spread to more diverse communities throughout San Diego.” EMBRACING A NEW LIFE Wilson also plans to enjoy her new life on the West Coast. “It’s a dream to work at a school like Parker in an environment as beautiful as San Diego. I really have the best of everything.” She and her husband, Mark Mitchell, are spending time playing golf and going to the beach. “We don’t have children or pets. I can barely keep plants alive,” Wilson said, laughing. “I’m simply humbled and excited to write this next chapter in my life as a member of the Parker family.”
Members of the Admissions team (left to right): Kelly Tedrow, Inez Thomas, Julie Noll, Monica Gallardo and Jacquie Wilson.
Members of the Admissions team take pleasure in helping parents navigate the path to Parker. They introduce prospective families to the Parker experience by hosting a series of open houses, presentations and community coffees at the homes of current Parker families. Throughout the fall, they also offer personal campus tours and arrange School visits that allow prospective students to shadow a Parker student for a firsthand look at classes and lunch. Of course, they are happy to assist parents throughout the application process for both admissions and financial assistance. Now that you’ve met Jacquie Wilson, Director of Enrollment, allow us to introduce the other members of Parker’s outstanding professional Admissions team.
MONICA GALLARDO Associate Director of Middle School Admissions
KELLY TEDROW Associate Director of Lower School Admissions
Monica Gallardo started at Parker in 2006 as a Middle School Spanish teacher and joined the Admissions team in 2013. “Señora Gallardo,” as her students call her, divides her time between the classroom and the Admissions office. Born and raised in Mexico City as the daughter of Cuban immigrants, Gallardo and her husband adopted San Diego as their second home in 1988. Three of their sons have graduated from Parker and their youngest is in the Class of 2020. Having experienced the process of applying to Parker with her four sons, Gallardo finds it very rewarding to assist families applying to the Middle School.
Kelly Tedrow came to Parker in August 2015 and brings extensive experience in admissions at independent schools. She worked previously as Associate Director of Admission at St. Margaret’s School in San Juan Capistrano, a Junior Kindergarten–Grade 12 school much like Parker. She was previously an admissions counselor at San Diego State University and Assistant Director of Admission at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach. She is married with two sons, the eldest of whom is in Senior Kindergarten at the Lower School.
JULIE NOLL Admissions Associate/Data Manager
INEZ THOMAS Director of Community Outreach/ Admissions Associate
Julie Noll has worked for independent schools for the last eight years in various roles. She is beginning her second year at Parker. She supports the Admissions team and works with prospective families throughout the admissions process. She also manages the admissions database and assists with the coordination of all admissions events. When she is not at work, you can find her at the beach, shopping or spending time with her three sons, her grandson and her daughter-in-law. Her favorite summer activity is traveling to the Azores Islands, Portugal.
Inez Thomas joined the Admissions team in 2004 after years of being an involved Parker parent. Her passion is mentoring students from underrepresented communities and helping them develop into young leaders. She began her career teaching in elementary schools on the East Coast. In addition to her work at Parker, she is active with a variety of community service groups, including Links, Jack and Jill of America, Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary and her church. She and her husband, Dr. Ted Thomas, have two daughters who graduated from Parker, Sydney ’04 and Nicole ’06. 31
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
Three outstanding faculty members received Dethloff Awards in June 2015. Established by the Dethloff family, the awards support professional and/or program development. Awardees were: Laurie Brae, Lower School Librarian Jennifer Hayman, Grade 2 Teacher Jim Witt, Performing Arts Chair Upper School teachers and coaches who distinguish themselves through their dedication to students and their commitment to upholding the highest standards are recognized with Mulliken Awards for Teaching Excellence. The following recipients received grants to fund professional and/or program development: David Glassey, Life Skills Teacher and Head Baseball Coach Eric Taylor, Social Studies Teacher Stacey Zoyiopoulos, Varsity Girls Golf Head Coach
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Two standout faculty members received Pierson Awards, named in honor of the late Head of School Dr. W. Lee Pierson. The award provides summer grants for personal development to faculty members based on length of service at Parker. Award winners were: Roberta “Birdy” Hartman, Senior Kindergarten Teacher (joined Parker 1984) David Johnson, Upper School Science Teacher (joined Parker 1978) Rose Hanscom, Upper School Science Teacher, received the J.E. Wallace Sterling Award For Academic Achievement at Stanford in April 2015. She was nominated for the honor by Parker alumnus Devan Diwanji ′11 and traveled to Stanford to receive the recognition. John Morrison, Lancer football coach from 1997 to 2015, was honored by CIF as a Model Coach Award Winner for 2014–2015. The
award is given to coaches who demonstrate and teach six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship. Paul Barsky, Head of the Upper School, was the recipient of a Contemplative Fellowship for Educators. He attended a sevenday silent retreat in New Mexico through a grant from The Hemera Foundation. Jim Tomey, Lancer basketball coach since 2005, achieved his 400th high school career victory late in January 2015—a rarity among San Diego County high school coaches. Laurynn Evans, Assistant Head of School, has been leading the integration of Design Thinking into the Parker curriculum from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. She was invited to speak on the topic at two conferences. In March 2015,
Evans addressed the California Association for Independent Schools, Northern Regional Meeting, at Head Royce School in Oakland. Her talk was entitled “Begin at the Beginning: Implementing Design Thinking.” In July 2015, she spoke at the Symposium on Global Educational Innovations at Seattle Pacific University. Her topic was “Design Thinking as a Means to Developing Critical Habits of Mind.” Parker faculty members were well represented at the San Diego County Independent and Private Schools Educational Conference in March 2015. Presenters included: Rona Dosick, Learning Center Director Middle School Science Team: Binh Ngo, Sergina Bach, Jennifer Dorsey and Myles Vandergrift Lower School: Heather Gray, Carrie Hasler, Laurie Brae and Blair Spearn
Parker was a major presence at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) annual conference held in San Diego in early October 2015. The conference was co-chaired by Terri Devine, Dean of College Counseling, and her husband, Ed Devine, Regional Director of Admission at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania. Parker’s two College Counseling Directors also played important roles. Jasmin Taylor co-chaired the Hospitality Committee and Bob Hurley hosted a welcome reception at Petco Park for representatives of more than 80 colleges. Kevin Yaley, Head of School, was invited by the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools to cochair an accreditation committee reviewing the Punahou School in Honolulu. Among the school’s notable alumni are President Barack Obama and Parker’s own robotics teacher, Ryan Griggs.
LOOKING AHEAD Tom Crowley, Director of Global Studies, and Jen Hayman, Assistant Director of Global Studies, will give a talk on “Building a K-12 Global Studies Program” to a meeting of educators from Northern California independent schools on Oct. 30, 2015, at Crystal Springs Uplands School. Parker will be well represented at the annual joint conference of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) in New York in February 2016. Kevin Yaley and Shara Freeman, Head of Advancement, will speak about the impact of philanthropy on distinguishing the student experience. At NAIS, Laurynn Evans, Laurie Brae and Sergina Bach will share more about Parker’s groundbreaking work on Design Thinking instruction.
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Campus Art “Laboratory” EVER-CHANGING EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS CREATIVITY BY TIFFANY YU There is something growing on the walls of the James Alan Rose Art Gallery. It is forest green in color and has tentacles stretching down to the ground, as if in search of water.
fungus that links tree roots to nutrition and water. “I love the creativity that comes with my job,” said Enck. “My job challenges me to be creative and to stay creative.”
Designed by Jaclyn Enck, Middle School Visual Arts teacher and curator of the Rose Art Gallery, the piece is an artistic expression of mycorrhiza—a subterranean
There are always new creations inhabiting the Rose Art Gallery. Most often, they are works crafted by Middle and Upper School students from the full spectrum of visual arts classes offered at Parker in ceramics, sculpture (bronze and stone), woodworking, drawing, painting, photography, video and digital design.
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“Visual art comes alive when on display, when given a frame, a pedestal, a light, a special space that separates it from the rest. Students benefit from seeing their work in this context,” said Steve Cook, a ceramics teacher for the Middle and Upper Schools. But the gallery is much more than just a display space. Cook calls it “a laboratory for art.” Viewing art in this place, with its 20-foot high ceiling and rows of windows lining the top and bottom of the walls, allows students to practice awareness, contemplation, analysis, critique and appreciation, he said. The Rose Art Gallery opened on the Linda Vista Campus in 2010. It was dedicated to the memory of James Alan Rose (1953–2003), an arts enthusiast who freely mixed student artwork into his collection of works by David Hockney and Romero Britto. Rose was uncle to two Parker graduates, Jocelyn Silver ’10 and Gordon Silver ’12. Gallery displays change each month and include work by alumni, faculty and staff. Professional artists are also invited to exhibit in the space and use it as a mentoring opportunity. Outside artists with shows at the gallery are asked to share their real-world experience with students in a discussion about their work process and their art. Artists also typically donate a percentage of the sales of their work sold at the gallery to benefit the Parker arts program. “Sharing in the experience of the gallery supports the curriculum and the students,” said Cook. For Youth Art Month in March, the Rose Art Gallery hosted an exhibit showcasing outstanding works by students in Grades 6 to 12 from schools across the county. The display was presented by the San Diego County Art Education Association. The gallery’s biggest event of the year is the Spring Arts Night, when the best art by students of the Middle and Upper Schools is put on display. The event, like all of the gallery’s shows, is open to the public.
You don’t have to know about art in order to celebrate it.
2015–2016 JAMES ALAN ROSE ART GALLERY EXHIBITS The gallery is open on weekdays during the school year from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, holidays and school breaks excepted.
FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF ART SHOW Work by Parker faculty and staff, including Jaclyn Enck’s “Seed Baby” installation, will be on display from Sept. 14 to Oct. 16.
SHAPES OF NATURE: FIBER ART BY CHARLOTTE BIRD AND POLLY JACOBS GIACCHINA Two San Diego artists use the form and content of their pieces to consider relationships with science and nature. Shown from Oct. 26 to Dec. 3.
GLOBAL EDUCATION EXHIBIT, MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS A visual reflection and comment forged from student interaction and experience within communities outside of Parker can be viewed from April 28 to May 6.
SPRING ARTS NIGHT AND STUDENT EXHIBITION A celebration of work by the Visual and Performing Art students in the Middle and Upper Schools, including the best artwork from the 2015–2016 school year, on display from May 24 through the end of the school year.
- Jaclyn Enck 35
Diversity fosters excellence, and Parker is excellent in part because of the diverse voices in our community.
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ALUMNI PROFILE
Primed and Prepared For Success FROM PARKER TO SILICON VALLEY BY CAROLINE WATTS ’06 Caroline Watts ’06, started at Parker in Grade 7. Always an avid reader, she explored her love of literature at Parker and discovered a passion for economics. She went on to earn her B.A. in economics at Stanford with a minor in creative writing. She spoke of her Parker experience at the 2015 Gala. I’m so glad to have the chance to tell you all a little bit about my experience at Parker and how it’s shaped the woman I am today. I started at Parker in the seventh grade, which, frankly, is not a great time for anyone. Middle school is at best awkward, and I was no exception. I remember when I arrived on campus how big Parker seemed, how intimidating. I had no idea if I could succeed at a place like this. But over the course of my six years here, something shifted. I developed extraordinary friendships. I learned from brilliant teachers. By the time I reached my prom, I was confident, eager and ready to get out of here. It was only a few months later, during my freshman year at Stanford, that I began to appreciate just how well Parker had prepared me and how lucky I was to have been a Parker student. I remember the very first paper I turned in at Stanford. It was for a required philosophy class called introduction to the humanities. Before the professor handed those papers back, our teaching assistant told us that by and large, he was disappointed with the level of work. He told us not to expect good grades because he had given out very few.
That was a little bit terrifying, which I’m sure was his intention. I graduated cum laude from Parker and I was not accustomed to bad grades. Fortunately, I never had to become accustomed to them. I got an A on that paper. I ended up getting an A in that class. The year before, when I had Ms. Carol Obermeier for AP literature, we wrote an essay every single week. I remember her saying at the time that as painful as this seemed, we’d be thanking her soon enough. As usual, she was right. I had always loved writing, but Ms. O made me better at it. When I got that A paper back in college, it became clear that I was better prepared than any other person in that room. Even at an elite university, surrounded by the brightest students in the country who had all worked as hard as I had, Parker had given me a leg up. At age 23, I became the director of marketing for a startup, reporting directly to the CEO. I helped to define an entirely new market segment for that startup, setting the standard for much larger companies, before we were acquired last year at a multiplier of 100 times revenue. 37
ALUMNI PROFILE
Parker gave me the confidence to believe I could change the world, and the tools to actually do it.
A couple of months ago, I joined a new startup. We’re still operating in stealth, but it’s a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity on an incredible team and I’m confident we’re poised to disrupt a multibillion-dollar market. The foundations I laid at Parker have helped me at every step. Tom Crowley’s AP economics course introduced me to an entirely new way of thinking, which not only carried me through one of Stanford’s most challenging and competitive B.A. programs— my degree is in economics—but also taught me to approach the challenges I’ve faced in my career with an analytical mindset. I’m 25—my career is just getting started, but I’ve been extremely fortunate. I’ve taken advantage of some truly incredible opportunities. In some ways, the odds are not in my favor— in my line of work, I’m always the youngest person in the room, and more often than not, I’m the only woman. On the other hand, I’ve had the best foundation anyone could hope for, and I can tell you I would not be on this track if it were not for the people in this room.
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To the parents who have children at the prom tonight— you’re almost out of the woods. To the Lower School parents who feel like that’s ages away, it’ll be here sooner than you think—just ask my parents. But you have so much to look forward to, because Parker is an incredible place. One of the reasons it’s so incredible is this fund we’re raising money for tonight. That scholarship fund doesn’t just benefit the scholarship students like me, it benefits each and every Parker student by introducing them to new people and new perspectives. Diversity fosters excellence, and Parker is excellent in part because of the diverse voices in our community. But excellence doesn’t happen by itself, and for the betterment of the entire Parker family, we must always keep that in the front of our minds and make sure we’re working toward achieving it. I think about what I took from Parker when I doubt myself, or when I lose sight of the woman I wanted to be. In times like that, I think about the letter Chris Harrington wrote me when I graduated from Parker. He said, “Do more than just kick butt at Stanford. Go out and change the world.” Parker gave me the confidence to believe I could change the world, and the tools to actually do it.
Support for Parker Soars at Gala “SOARING INTO THE SECOND CENTURY” Amid vintage planes dangling aloft and artifacts of aeronautical history, the 32nd annual Parker Gala took flight this spring inside the San Diego Air and Space Museum. “Soaring into the Second Century” raised more than $520,000 for student scholarships and faculty professional development while celebrating the 100-plus-year history of two San Diego landmark institutions—Francis Parker School and Balboa Park.
More than 400 Parker parents, faculty, alumni and guests attended the event hosted by the Parent Association. Many guests dressed for the occasion in flightthemed costumes. Among those seen reviewing the silent auction items were Charles Lindbergh, Rosie the Riveter and members of the Star Trek crew.
Among the highlights were remarks by alumna Caroline Watts ′06, who spurred bidding on the live auction by sharing how Parker prepared her for success in college and her career.
It was a sensational evening planned by co-chairs Gayle Nuffer and Randie Lettington, with much help from a committee of 50 volunteers. Festivities included a cocktail
Following the silent and live auctions, guests posed for photos before a lunar landing landscape while others tested their skills in flight simulators.
hour, dancing to the music of the Fabulous Ultratones and a seated dinner in the museum rotunda under the airport flight path.
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40 YEARS OF ATHLETIC VICTORY
BY DAVID OGUL
NANCEE LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY
There are more championship banners in the Parker Field House than at the old Boston Garden. A lot more. Lancer sports teams have won over 300 championship banners dating back to the 1975 San Diego CIF Baseball Championship and including the 2015 Girls State Volleyball Championship. The walls and rafters of the Field House are now covered in gold and brown. Lancer teams in virtually every sport—from cross-country to football—have won league titles. At least 70 percent of Parker students play on a sports team. “Practice like you’ve never won and play like you’ve never lost,” is the saying John Herman, volleyball coach and Associate Athletic Director, uses to inspire peak performance.
The girls volleyball team holds nine state crowns. The team captured the state title for the third consecutive year in 2015 and is looking strong for the coming year—hoping for four of a kind. The team has won 18 CIF titles. Boys volleyball holds the longest winning streak in state history, earning 11 CIF titles between 2000-2011. There are 15 boys volleyball championship banners hanging in the Field House. Visitors will also find seven banners each for football and girls soccer. And Lancer baseball teams under Coach Dave Glassey won 11 straight San Diego Section CIF championships, a state record. “We have good kids, and they’re not afraid to work hard,” said Herman. “They learn how to handle defeat and win with grace. Those are powerful lessons that transcend sports.”
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES UPDATES Don “Donny” Vaughn ’04 gave a TEDx talk at UCLA in May 2015 on exploiting neuroplasticity to overcome mental illness and deafness. You can watch his speech at https://youtu.be/xzbHtIrb14s. Vaughn is a neuroscience graduate student at UCLA, a drummer and a part-time DJ. 1 | James Kakos ’90 writes, “The Parker Reunion weekend provided a very special opportunity to reconnect with friends and Parker faculty.” Members of the Class of 1990 had dinner at George’s at the Cove in May. Pictured left to right are James Kakos, Lynde Selden, Jimmy Adelizzi, Sean Harrison, Paul Buie, Brant Crenshaw and Brian Khoury. 2 | A group of past and present Parker photography students gathered in June 2014 in San Diego’s Little Italy to celebrate 10 years of AP Photo. Back row: Camille Considine ’15, Michael Armstrong ’11, Kate Biel ’11, Kathy Dominguez ’11, Lauren Juskelis ’11, Mr. Byrne, Lauren Lynch ’11, Parker Zimmerman ’15, Olivia Fidler ’15, Natalie Greenberg ’15, Sharni Smith ’15. Front row: Hanna Lettington ’15, Jona Plevin ’15, Anna Wilson ’15, Alex Trimm ’10, Eric Kanegaye ’15.
Jamie Bock ’08 made her network television debut on CBS’ “Criminal Minds” in April 2015. She graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts where she studied with The Atlantic Theater Company. Bock recently moved to L.A. from New York, where she was a member of the downtown theater company The Flea, founded by Sigourney Weaver and Jim Simpson. 42
3 | In October 2014, Patrick Riley ’14, Kim Svatos ’14, Torri Johnson ’14 and Audrey Yang ’14 enjoyed a football game during their freshman year at UCLA. 4 | Mike Copans ’96, his wife, Jayme, daughter, Hazel, and son, Riley, recently moved back to San Diego after living in New York City for eight years. He shared, “We forgot how nice the weather is!” Check out the photo of Riley in his first Parker shirt. 5 | Sean Szeles ’99 was nominated for an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Writing in an Animated TV/ Broadcast Production for the “Regular Show” in 2014. He was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy award for Outstanding Short-Format Animated Program for the “Regular Show.” Szeles won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual in Animation for “Long Live the Royals.” Tammy Pham ’11, former Parker Koppel Scholar, was a speaker at the 2015 Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting at the San Diego Convention Center in May. She presented findings from her research on risk factors associated with adolescent depression and suicide. Jamal Edwards ’12 was one of 10 undergraduate students nationwide named a 2015 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Edwards attends Duke University.
6 | Devan Diwanji ’11 received a Wallace Sterling Award at Stanford for being one of the top 25 students in the humanities and sciences. He will be attending UCSF on an NIH-funded eightyear combined Ph.D. and medical school program. He is pictured with Ms. Hanscom and Kristi Bohl ’09, a Stanford graduate now working for Google, and her sister, Emily Bohl ’12, a junior at Stanford majoring in mechanical engineering. 7 | Vanessa Mitchell ’01, owner of Vanessa Nicole Jewels, is author of a new book, “The Perfect Custom Engagement Ring,” which has become an Amazon bestseller. She is enjoying each day with her husband, Joe, and their twin boys, Jack and Mason. 8 | Tyler Bernardini ’07 is in his second season with the Leicester Riders after becoming club MVP in his first season. He and his fiancée, Emily Hunt, moved to the U.K. in 2014 when Bernardini joined the British Basketball League. He is also studying for his master’s degree with a concentration in international management at the Loughborough School of Business and Economics. Estelle Wong ’14 was named the Atlantic 10 womens tennis Rookie of the Week for matches from Jan. 27 - Feb. 2 representing Fordham University. It was the second consecutive Rookie of the Week award for Wong.
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ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Mary Forsyth ’60 and Julie Iavelli ’49 are volunteering their time helping to organize the School’s archives collection, now on display in the Linda Vista Library. Austin Martin-Brown ’13 received the 2015–2016 C.V. Starr Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship at Brown University. Martin-Brown’s project is “Rhymes with Reason,” which teaches SAT/ ACT vocabulary through hip-hop lyrics to teens from disadvantaged backgrounds. He has piloted his platform nationally in several high schools with great results. The fellowship will allow him to grow a social venture supported by a year of mentoring and coursework.
WEDDINGS 9 | David Gillingham ’04 married Megan Rehwald in September during a ceremony in Spokane, Washington. Gillingham is a math teacher at High Tech High in San Diego. He is pictured (left to right) with Kristy Gillingham Keith ’02, an English teacher at Parker, Annie Gillingham ’05, a Spanish immersion teacher for Lakeside School District, and their parents, Listy Gillingham, principal at Patrick Henry High School, and Bob Gillingham, Head of Parker’s Lower School.
10 | Tessa (Floodberg) LaPointe ’05 and Nick LaPointe ’05 wed in May 2015 among many Parker friends. Left to right: Matthew Segal ’05, Nathan Tobiason ’05, Brian Giometti ’05, Courtney Rains ’05, Cary Ross ’05, Kelsey Formost ’05, Marisa Alvarez ’05, Hillary (Wood) Parker ’05, Kramer Sharp ’05, Whitney (Goodall) Wightman ’05, La’Tise (Higgins) Tangherlini ’05, Allison (Wile) Lundquist ’05, Courtney (Floodberg) Yates ’96, Katie Wile ’07, Janelle Lopez ’05, and Tess and Nick.
11 | David Lauer ’12 was the best man when his brother, Jeff Lauer ’07, wed Nina Serach on July 26, 2014, at Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Salem, Oregon—the Lauer family’s vineyard. Fellow Lancers Jake Fisher ’07 and Nick Kramer ’07 made the trip to Oregon for the celebration. From left to right: Jon Lauer (former Board Chair of Parker and Lippitt Awardee in 2014) and his wife Kathy Lauer, Jeff and Nina, Krista Lauer ’10 and David Lauer ’12.
12 | Derek Hobson ’04 married Allie Barry ’04 in a ceremony in Point Loma. Kevin Yaley officiated the wedding. Back Row - Left to right: Caitlin Smith ’04, Jenny Menkov ’02, Jesika Reiner ’04, Emily Wygod ’04, Vanessa Curtis ’00, Rachel LaBarre ’04, Andres Sette Arruza ’04, Justin Levine ’04, Kyle Boggeman ’04, Hardy Ehlers and Kevin Yaley Front Row - Left to right: Jessie Gaines ’04, Claire Hapke ’04, Brianna Levin ’04, Allie and Derek, Chantal Blakeney ’04 and Gillian Halberg ’04.
BIRTHS Josh Lahre ’03 and Jenny Lahre ’05 welcomed Nico in early spring 2015.
IN MEMORIAM Through the years, the Parker community has been enriched by the involvement of parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who have contributed to the life and vitality of the School. Sally Thornton ’48 died on June 12, 2015. A fourth-generation San Diegan, Thornton worked tirelessly to support the community she loved. She and her husband named UCSD’s Thornton Hospital. She sat on the boards of numerous nonprofits and was a chairwoman of fundraising galas and luncheons. Timothy W. Doede ’91 of New York City died March 26, 2015. He was 41. Doede spent his career in finance, working most recently as a portfolio manager for a series of small funds. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Hornstein Doede, a son, Henry, and a daughter, Evelyn. 13 | Margaret “Pidge” Lieb ’43 died February 28, 2015. Known to her family as “Pidge” and to her many friends as “Margaret,” “Peggy,” “Peg,” “Maggie,” “Virginia,” “Jinny,” or “Jin-Jin,” Lieb died peacefully with her family at her bedside in San Diego. She is pictured with Lucian Salazar ’57 at the Alumni Decades of the 1940s–1960s Breakfast in October 2013.
Parker alumni are invited to share their news in Class Notes. We welcome wedding and birth announcements, career updates, professional milestones and obituaries. Send your item or photo to www.francisparker.org/classnotes. Please specify if your news is to be published only in the magazine or only in the alumni section of the Parker website or both. Submissions will be edited for space and house style. 44
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CALLING ALL LANCERS! Stay Connected Mark your calendar for upcoming Parker events.
JANUARY 7 MARCH 8
APRIL 22–23
Alumni and Parent Networking in San Diego
Summer Program Early Bird Registration Opens
Reunion Weekend and All-Alumni Day on the Linda Vista and Mission Hills Campuses
MAY 7
JUNE 4
JUNE 9
Parker Gala: Black & White Ball
Commencement on Lancer Lawn
Middle School Grade 8 Promotion Linda Vista Campus
JUNE 10
JUNE 20
JULY 11
Lower School Grade 5 Promotion Mission Hills Campus
Summer Program Session I
Summer Program Session II
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Experiencing Parker in a Grand Way GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS WELCOMED Grandparents often get a front row seat to observe life through the eyes of their grandchildren. Every day is full of discovery, and grandparents can’t help but be enchanted by the children’s excitement.
“Being a grandparent is certainly one of life’s most rewarding thrills, and being a member is a great way to be involved with the education of our grandkids here at Francis Parker School,” said Dave and Parm Von Behren, GPC co-chairs. The highlight of the year is Parker’s Grandparents and Special Friends Day, which takes place in November for the Lower School and in February for the Middle and Upper Schools. At these events, students act as hosts, introducing their grandparents to their teachers, taking them to their classrooms and sharing special demonstrations and performances. GPC also holds special events off campus. This January, members of the council will take a behindthe-scenes tour of The Old Globe led by artistic director Barry Edelstein. Other events include barbecues and social gatherings. “Your input and participation in your grandkids’ academic experience is special—and we want to make it fun for you to get involved,” said the Von Behrens.
Photo by Fred Greaves
At Parker, grandparents are invited to share in the School experience with their grandchildren. The Grandparents Council (GPC) was created in 2003 and welcomes the involvement of grandparents, surrogate grandparents and special friends, whether they live in state or out of state. Throughout the year, the council hosts special events for the grandparent community.
Grandparents make great cheerleaders!
2015–2016 GRANDPARENTS COUNCIL EVENTS All grandparents and special family friends are welcome at GPC meetings and events. We kindly ask that you RSVP to Amanda Kalal in the Advancement Office at akalal@francisparker.org.
NOVEMBER 19, 2015 Lower School Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Mission Hills Campus
JANUARY 12, 2016 Backstage tour of The Old Globe with artistic director and current Parker parent Barry Edelstein
FEBRUARY 24, 2016 Middle School and Upper School Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Linda Vista Campus
TO JOIN OR LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GRANDPARENTS COUNCIL, VISIT: WWW.FRANCISPARKER.ORG/GRANDPARENTS
APRIL 6, 2016 Tour a home designed by architect and Parker founder William Templeton Johnson
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REARVIEW
PERFORMING FANTASTIC FEATS Human pyramids, walking on a slack line and balancing on a giant wooden ball were part of P.E. class in the early years at Parker. These unique moves were introduced by one of Parker’s most colorful teachers, Abdullah Ben Tahar Sid, the son of an Arabian sheik. Before he taught P.E., “A.B.” Tahar had been an acrobat and circus performer. The original wooden ball was lost, but was recreated by a Parker alumnus for the School’s 75th anniversary. The ball is brought out once a year for the Senior Kindergarten circus. 48
WHO ARE TH
EY AND WHER
E ARE THEY N If you know, emai OW ? l Parker Magazin e at communications @francisparker.o rg
Rearview photo in the spring issue: Amy Lamberti ’89, Belle Keith Drouin ’89, Bob Ogle ’89, Guy Reavis ’89 and Mary Burt-Godwin ’90.
6501 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111 www.francisparker.org
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PAID FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL
as far as the mind can see