OakTree Times - Fall/Winter 2016-17

FA L L | W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

OakTree Times

Inspiring lifelong leaders Ins i de :

Distinguished Alumna Award

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Tabling the discussion

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Alumni Cub Club launches

OakTree Times FALL | WINTER 2016

Feat ures : 10 Inspiring lifelong leaders

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Opportunities for students to build leadership skills abound across all divisions.

14 Distinguished Alumna Award recipient speaks to challenge

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Sarah Hotchkis Ketterer ’79 shares her story during her recent visit to campus.

A P U B L I C A T I O N F O R T H E P O LY T E C H N I C S C H O O L C O M M U N I T Y

Departments: The Patio p.05 Father Greg Boyle visits … Grandparents and Special

OAK TREE TIMES EDITORIAL STAFF: Leslie Carmell, Director of Communications

Friends Day … Abolitionist art exhibit … Rose Parade

Michelle Feynman, Communications Officer/ Photographer

royalty … Second grade tours Dodger Stadium …

Jennifer Godwin Minto, Photographer

Poly walks CONTRIBUTORS:

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In the Classroom Upper School English class finds creative way to collaborate.

John Bracker, Bel Cahill ’17, Katrina Damasco ’02, Amanda Edwards ’92, Greg Feldmeth, Caroline Hashimoto ’20, Blythe Haaga Parker ’01, Doug Jolly, Andrew Rickert ’17, Luke Scheidemantle ’17, Katherine Vieser.

ON THE COVER:

Sixth-graders in Middle School block deliver goods to Friends in Deed after spearheading a “Be Nice, Give Rice” food drive.

Panthers in the Zone the upswing

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Fall recap … Winter preview … Girls golf on

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facebook.com/poly facebook.com/polytechnicschool.alumni

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Poly Connections Supporting innovation at Poly … Poly Fund update …

Alumni events … Cub Club launches … Class Notes …

In Memorium

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P.S. Poly Alumna, current parent, and faculty member Suzie Korostoff Arther ’89 talks about her newest role at Poly.

twitter.com/polytechnic twitter.com/polyalumni @poly_K12 @polyalumni

Head of

School As a slightly nerdy, very little, and supremely earnest fourth-grader, I ran for class president behind the provocative campaign slogan, “Get off your rocker and vote for Bracker!” I don’t remember if I sketched a rocking chair — probably not, as I have almost zero artistic talent — but the inspiring message galvanized the students, and I won. My euphoria didn’t last long, however.

A fellow classmate wrote me a note telling me that the election was just a popularity contest and I hadn’t deserved to win. Thank goodness his criticism was pre-Twitter so I didn’t have to endure the withering chatter of social media, but it still hurt. Leading, even in the fourth grade, wasn’t going to be all fun.

And it shouldn’t be.

Throughout Poly, we offer a multitude of opportunities for our students to learn about leadership. We hold elections, bestow appointments, solicit volunteers, and offer opportunities for positions that challenge our young scholars to test their mettle guiding their peers. In our morning meetings and admission open houses across all three divisions, students are front and center. They speak with a kind of confidence and clarity that would make anyone proud. Asked delicate (or perhaps indelicate) questions, they offer candid insights consistent with our expectations of honesty and generosity — so much so that one parent at a Lower School open house asked the panel of fifth-graders where they learned to speak so articulately and confidently. It didn’t surprise any of us when the students described with humor and appreciation the intentional work their teachers had designed. Through experience, our students wrestle with the fascinating complexities and critical questions that

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HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE

accompany leadership. How do they learn how to understand criticism? How resilient is their self-esteem? What do they do when their plan doesn’t work the way they had hoped? Do they blame others or take responsibility? What is it like when their peers depend on them? Is it a burden or a blessing? How do they incorporate ethical dilemmas into the decisions they make as leaders? Are they willing to stand alone?

John F. Kennedy was correct when he said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” As a school community, we have a responsibility to nourish and encourage all forms of leadership. But let’s not be mistaken: This endeavor is not about giving everyone a trophy for just showing up. Instead we lead as an institution by offering our students ample opportunities to develop the confidence and good character in an environment that is supportive and encouraging, honest and candid, empowering and accountable. I don’t have much memory of my fourth grade presidency, but I do remember my classmate’s words and that they were an important reminder of the humility and humanity necessary to lead well. To that end, John Quincy Adams described a simple truth that has guided me over the years when he said more than two centuries ago, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

John W. Bracker

The

Patio

Father Greg Boyle brings powerful message to Upper School Since its founding just four years ago, Poly’s Men’s Service League (MSL) has fostered a relationship with Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. During an assembly this fall, Homeboy’s founder and executive director, the Rev. Gregory J. Boyle, S.J., shared with Upper School students his message of hope and thanked them for their support of the organization. Each year, Homeboy Industries serves more than 10,000 former gang members from across Los Angeles by providing support, training, and employment — even tattoo removal — to those who hope to make a positive change in their lives. MSL members selected the organization to be the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts, and they hope to engage on a more personal level in the future by spending time at the organization’s facilities.

Showcasing his quick wit and deep compassion, Father Boyle encouraged students to consider “to what ought you give your heart” and told them that once they determined that aim, they could “set the world on fire.” He spoke about making connections and explained that if people truly achieved kinship with one another, “we’d no longer be promoting justice, we’d be celebrating it.” Father Boyle told the story of one “homeboy,” Jose, who proudly embraces the challenges he has faced, explaining, “My wounds are my friends. How can I help heal the wounded if I don’t welcome my own?”

During his talk, Father Boyle shared many anecdotes.

Some were amusing, including accounts of his autocorrect

mishaps (such as the time he texted someone saying he was about to address a room full of nuns but instead it changed to ninjas). Other stories were poignant, such as when he driving to a presentation with two former rival gang members who were snickering while on their phones. He then realized they were sharing a private joke with each other via text message.

“These guys used to shoot bullets at each other; now they shoot texts.”

Poly senior Will M. reflects on how Father Boyle’s message relates to MSL’s mission: “The idea of seeking kinship with others in our community resonates with us, and much of what we do is in pursuit of this worthy goal … MSL is grounded in the idea that kinship lies at the root of healthy communities.”

“Father Boyle told us that we shouldn’t perform community service just to do it, but rather to do it for the connections you make with people,” shares MSL member Joseph M. ’18. “A common theme throughout his speech was the idea of kinship, and I see now how it applies to both my life as a student at Poly and my experiences through community service.”

Men’s Service League, an organization of service and support for all males in the Upper School, sponsors fundraising events, organizes big brother-little brother and family lunches, sponsors guest speakers such as Father Boyle, and generally promotes goodwill and good values among all students. n

T H E PAT I O

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The

Patio

Poly students invite grandparents and other special guests to campus

History Department hosts abolitionist art exhibit

Just before the Thanksgiving break, more than 500 guests joined students on campus for Poly’s annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day. The morning included classroom visits, during which the special guests received a glimpse into the school day by participating in classroom discussions, observing experiments, and joining in arts and crafts. The entire community then gathered in the gym for an all-school assembly that featured performances from each division.

This Poly tradition provides a fun opportunity for making multigenerational connections and for learning to abound. n

To view more photos from the day, visit www.polytechnic.org/webextras.

In an art exhibit hosted this fall by Poly’s History Department, Poly parent Hope Demetriades showcased “The North Stars: Canonizing the American Abolitionists,” a series of mixed-media artwork, in Boswell Gallery. Demetriades created the artwork to honor the efforts of American abolitionists to end slavery. Having learned about the significance of slavery in United States history at a young age, Demetriades had always wanted to promote racial unity in her work.

“Racism is alive and kicking,” shares Demetriades. “It’s my hope that by honoring our brave and sacrificial abolitionists, I can inspire people to emulate them by continuing the fight for racial justice.”

Students from all three divisions viewed the exhibit. All juniors taking U.S. History took a break from the classroom to visit the exhibit. “Mrs. Demetriades pointed out that the abolitionists were often inspired by each other,” Alexandra P. ’18 shares. “I really enjoyed seeing how she uniquely portrayed them.” Eleventh-graders will further explore abolitionism later this year during the antebellum unit. n

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T H E PAT I O

The

Patio

Rose Parade features Poly connections

Poly alumna Aliya Haque-Coher ’95 aboard the Miracle-Gro float in this year’s Rose Parade.

Photo courtesy of Aliya Haque-Coher

The 99th Tournament of Roses Parade this year featured more than one Poly connection: Poly senior Autumn Lundy was named as a Rose Princess on the Royal Court, and Poly alumna and current parent Aliya Haque-Coher ’95, the 1995 Rose Queen, was chosen to ride on Miracle-Gro’s “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” float in the parade.

This year’s Royal Court announcement followed a monthlong process during which nearly 1,000 young women participated in multiple rounds of interviews.

Finalists were selected based upon a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement, and community and school involvement. The Royal Court attended nearly 100 community and media functions, acting as ambassadors

of the Association and the Pasadena community at large. Their reign culminated on Jan. 2, with the 128th Rose Parade and the 103rd Rose Bowl Game.

Autumn is part of the Girls’ Service League, Poly’s girls Varsity soccer team, and the Crescenta Valley Soccer Club, and she is co-president of the school’s Black Student Union and has served as a student ambassador for the past three years. She volunteers with the Kidspace Halloween Festival, Reading Partners, Soccer without Borders, and VillaParke Community Center in Pasadena.

Autumn enjoys acting, drawing, and painting portraits. She would like to attend Baylor University and plans on majoring in human biology and minoring in human physiology.

Aliya, managing director at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank in Los Angeles, is an active participant in the community, supporting institutions that focus on educating and improving the lives of the children. In 2014 she was named the Bisnow Power Woman, an award that recognizes the 50 most influential women in Los Angeles Commercial Real Estate. Her children, Zakia ’25 and Abraham ’28, currently attend Poly. n

To view more photos from the day, visit www.polytechnic.org/webextras.

Poly senior Autumn Lundy was named to this year’s Royal Court.

Courtesy of Tournament of Roses and Michelle Mishina Photography

T H E PAT I O

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The

Patio

Second grade gets all-access pass to Dodger Stadium

See more photos from the day at www.polytechnic.org/webextras.

As part of their social studies theme of exploring community as a place where people work, live, play, and solve problems, Poly second-graders had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Dodger Stadium. Students received a guided tour of the facilities, including the locker room, Vin Scully’s press box (coincidentally it was Mr. Scully’s 89th birthday that day), a suite, and the interview room, all while navigating the very hallways that the players use. Along the way, they were captivated by the displays of impressive trophies, awards, and historical artifacts. The students even had a chance to hit a few balls in the indoor batting cage where the players warm up. At the end of the tour, they were able to step inside the bullpen and dugout, and they were even given the opportunity to run around on the field. n

Poly puts its best foot forward Reflecting Poly’s commitment to sustainability — and just for the sake of getting some exercise — Poly students, parents, and faculty and staff participated in the City of Pasadena’s Walk to School Day in early October. The chief of police was in attendance, as were motorcycle officers, who provided an escort and taught students crosswalk safety. More than 175 members of the Poly community walked and biked to school that day and were greeted on campus with a reward of breakfast treats.

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T H E PAT I O

Walk to School Day began as a simple idea — children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. n

In the

Classroom

Tabling the discussion

By Luke Scheidemantle ’17 “What do you need to have a successful discussion?”

Dr. Nathan Stogdill, Upper School English teacher, asked the students in his AP English Literature: City of Angels class. This question was posed every year in English, so as seniors, we had no problem listing the usual answers: communication, safe classroom environment, collaboration, equality. One classmate quipped, “A table!” At that moment, this “usual” conversation became unusual.

“You’re going to design and build a seminar table!

For the classroom, you know?” Dr. Stogdill said with a grin. Working in small groups, we began designing a table that would seat 20 and that would split into five sections. It can be said that groups should discuss the real issues and not get caught up negotiating about the size of conference room table. In our case, the table became the real issue. After listening to one another’s design ideas and arguments, the collective wisdom grew, compromises were made, and the design was finalized. Despite this progress, most of the class still didn’t believe we were actually going to build the table we had designed. It was only when we made the call to the lumber shop and ordered the wood that we realized this table project wasn’t just another English-class metaphor — it was a metaphor that we were going to make real.

When the wood arrived, it was time to begin the building process. After two days of measuring, cutting, drilling, sanding, and assembling in the Poly wood design studio, we had a table. We were proud of what we had done together. Sitting around the table for the first time, we pounded our fists on the table, not in indignation, but with glee. The table was tangible evidence of the challenges we had overcome, the compromises we had reached, and the satisfaction that came with building something real with our hands, somewhat of a rarity in this technical age.

In retrospect, my classmate could not have been more spot on when he yelled out “A table!” Designing and building the table enabled us to communicate, listen, collaborate, and achieve — a process of educational team building. Through the table project, we discovered firsthand what is necessary for success in the classroom.

Sitting together around our table in the middle of room 407 is a living representation of the values our class strives to embody every time we gather. Who knows how many of the world’s problems could be solved if people would just stop to build a table? To paraphrase Blaise Pascal, “All [human] miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone” — or perhaps, being able to sit around a table built with our own hands, together. n

To view more photos from the project, visit www.polytechnic.org/webextras.

IN THE CLASSROOM

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Inspiring lifelong leaders

By Doug Jolly, Dean of Student Life

LEADERSHIP CAN BE DEMONSTRATED IN MANY WAYS — FROM MENTORING A YOUNGER STUDENT OR CHAMPIONING A NEW INITIATIVE TO FORGING A PATH IN RESEARCH OR CREATING AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES CHANGE. We celebrate Poly alumni who are leaders in their communities, their professions, and their homes (just take a look at the alumni profiles later in this issue). We write about our pride in these folks, invite them back to campus to share their stories with our students, and celebrate their journeys as well as their successes. Poly strives to create not only lifelong learners, but lifelong leaders.

Beginning in Lower School, Poly students are provided many opportunities to be leaders and are encouraged to embrace the responsibility and service that come with such positions. Walk onto the Lower School courtyard on a Monday morning and you’ll find

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F E AT U R E

a group of fifth-graders leading their younger counterparts in the Pledge of Allegiance, helping them acknowledge special people in the community, and encouraging them to think about ways they can take care of each other and of the space they share at school. Any fifth-grader who expresses interest may serve on student council, which meets once a week to plan community meetings and to work with teachers and administration to bring about changes in the Lower School. The student council has adopted a Kindness Counts initiative that focuses on manners in the Dining Commons and playground and also recongnizes individuals in the community for their contributions. In addition, through Panther Pods, fourth- and fifth-graders embrace the role of helping lead their groups and picking up the kindergartners and first-graders on their way to their monthly gatherings.

By Middle School, this preparation makes way for increasing responsibility. One of this year’s two Middle School student council presidents, Jack D. ’21, says, “I thought it would be easy [to be president], but I was surprised by the amount of work involved.

I’m proud that I’ve figured that out and have learned how to prioritize things better.”

Through their work in a revamped and more robust advisory program, as well as regular

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Middle School Ambassadors welcome prospective families to an admission open house.

meetings with the Middle School director, the two presidents quickly learned what it means to be student leaders. During regular meetings, the student council plans semi-weekly Middle School community meetings, engaging activities for spirit week, and the ever-important menu for snack bar. They learn how to handle criticism and how to inspire and communicate with their peers and their teachers.

“Leadership isn’t always about what you’re doing for yourself and what you want to do,” says eighth-grader Lucas A., one of the co-presidents. “It’s a lot about how the community reacts and making the right decision for everyone, not just yourself and your friends.”

Across campus in the Upper School, students have an abundance of opportunities in all areas, including academics, arts, athletics, social activities, and more. In addition to clubs, teams, and ensembles, a number of other groups offer leadership roles for students. Student government (ASB and class officers), the Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) and Poly Arts Student Council (PASC), Upper School Outreach Committee (USOC), Ambassadors Council, and Peer Mentors are all programs in which students lead and are taught to be reflective about their leadership practices.

As an introduction to Upper School in the fall, all freshmen participate in Leadership Day, during which they hear from guest speakers and work with teachers, Peer Mentors, and each other as they spend the day exploring character development, effective leadership approaches, and opportunities at Poly through which to develop those skills. Later, they have the chance to run for various offices that provide leadership within Poly and the outside community.

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F E AT U R E

SALC members plan activities for Poly tailgates, which support Panther teams.

The Ambassadors Council assumes a key role in admission events, including offering campus tours to prospective families, helping to organize events, and considering how best to showcase Poly. Senior Jamal J., a member of the recently formed PASC, identified one of his goals as striving “to expose all mediums of art to everybody at Poly … to get people who aren’t necessarily involved to participate.” PASC has hosted several assemblies, bringing in local artists to share their experiences with the Upper School. SALC has a similar goal to introduce the Poly community to the virtues of high school athletic events and to get students to support Poly teams. Like PASC, the group has also invited guest speakers, such as Los Angeles Times sports columnist Bill Plaschke, to share their experiences in sports with Poly students.

From organizing guest speakers to a holiday sing-along, the ASB’s goal is to bring information, learning, and fun to Upper School life. ASB members also address the Board of Trustees at special events and prospective parents during admission events. They plan Rivalry Week, a week of well-timed games and activities in the spring that builds a sense of community and that Upper Schoolers always look forward to with excitement.

Toward the end of their junior year, approximately 50 students apply for the 15 to 17 Peer Mentor positions. One Peer Mentor is assigned to each freshman advisee group; this person becomes an important leader for the group as they navigate their first year in the Upper School. Peer Mentors plan and run small group advisory meetings twice a week throughout the year, and they also help organize

Peer Mentors provide insight and guidance during advisee meetings.

Leadership Day, assist freshmen to prepare for midyear exams, and plan and execute a back-to-school event for freshmen the night before school begins in the fall.

The Upper School Outreach Council was recently formed after identifying a need to broaden the opportunities available to students, to promote service learning connections, and to get more students excited about service. Community Outreach Coordinator Renee Larios and a group of students launched the group, which focuses on effectively communicating the many outreach opportunities and helping make service learning an even more integral part of Poly. Junior Lizzie S. reflects on how Poly students tend to go beyond what is expected of them: “It’s fun to help create opportunities with other people … One student was done with his service hours but wanted to do something else to help people. We directed him toward Reading Partners, where he could tutor a child one on one.”

With the support of the teachers and coaches who challenge their students to reflect on their leadership practices in the classroom, on teams, through clubs, and on Outdoor Education trips, Poly students avail themselves of the many opportunities to apply their knowledge and to gain experience. Our students are well prepared to take their knowledge from Poly to the wider community, to their college choices, and to their professions, families, and neighborhoods — years beyond their time at Poly.

Lower School Student Council helps lead morning meetings.

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Prospective families are greeted by Upper School Ambassadors at an open house.

F E AT U R E

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD RECIPIENT SPEAKS TO CHALLENGE

by Bel Cahill ’17

As recipient of the 2015-16 Distinguished Alumna award of Poly’s Alumni Association, Sarah Hotchkis Ketterer ’79 spent a day this fall at the Upper School speaking with students about her life in the world of finance. Her investment management firm, Causeway Capital, manages $46 billion globally in pension fund assets for the US private sector. Ketterer recalled that when her kids used to ask her what her job was about, she would tell them that she was a kind of gardener — “Somebody has to make sure money grows!”

Ketterer was the founder of Poly’s Upper School student-run newspaper, The Paw Print, which at one time was called The Panther Tale, among many other titles, when she was first getting it off the ground.

She recalled formatting the paper on the floor of her bedroom — literally cutting and pasting before there was a shortcut-key command to accomplish that task.

When asked how she funded the paper, Ketterer said she simply asked people to donate. “And they did!

There’s always something exciting about a startup.”

The summer before her senior year, Ketterer felt the urge to go as far away from Pasadena as possible.

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F E AT U R E

She enrolled in a program in Japan on the island of Shikoku. Upon returning to Poly from her experience on a rice paddy, she appreciated Poly far more than she had before — while her impression of kids in Japan was one of conformity, she became aware of how Poly continually pushed her to think for herself, to object, and to respond.

After graduating from Poly, Ketterer attended Stanford University, where she began on the pre-med track but switched her major to economics once she got to organic chemistry. Although she wrote for Stanford’s newspaper as well, Ketterer grew tired of being assigned run-of-the-mill stories and turned her attention to the business staff, which was highly competitive and largely male. She thrived amid the intensity and, in her words, “sold like crazy.”

The summer after her first year at Stanford, Ketterer worked at her father’s management firm. At the time, she didn’t even know what a pension was, but there was something infectious for her in watching the ways in which money could be moved and grown.

Sarah Hotchkis Ketterer ’79 speaks to fellow alumni and Poly’s current Upper School students while visiting campus as recipient of the past year’s Distingushed Alumna Award.

Post-graduation, she went into investment banking, which she described as a “self-flagellating” route to take.

Not only did she rarely leave the office, but she also was the only woman with professional rank and as a result received plenty of mistreatment from colleagues. “They just didn’t know what to do with women,” she reflected.

On her last day with the investment bank, Ketterer snuck into the office at 3 a.m. and hid 300 crickets in the potted plants. She fondly remembered the satisfaction from the innocuous prank when the crickets “went crazy once the sun started to come up.”

Ketterer started a database company in New York shortly after attending graduate school at Dartmouth College, but she was so cash-strapped that she would often search her coat pockets for any spare change.

She returned to her father’s firm in California to start delving into international equities, spending six months at brokers’ desks because she knew that she must understand the counterpoint mentality to be successful.

Shortly thereafter, Ketterer connected with her eventual business partner, and they traveled to Northern Ireland, where they visited the Giant’s Causeway, a 50-millionyear-old formation of basalt columns on which legend held that giants had once walked. When the two established their business in 2001, they named it

“SHE BECAME AWARE OF HOW POLY CONTINUALLY PUSHED HER TO THINK FOR HERSELF, TO OBJECT, AND TO RESPOND.” “Causeway Capital” to evoke the stable permanence of the geological phenomenon.

When asked what it had been like to watch the recent presidential election take place from her background in finance, Ketterer noted that equity markets are actually very upbeat in the wake of the election. Even if they hadn’t been so, Ketterer isn’t one to shy away from a challenge.

Ketterer is not just an example of the level of success that is reachable when enough hard work is invested, but proof that women are as motivated, smart, and powerful as men in the financial industry and beyond. Poly was lucky to have Sarah Hotchkis Ketterer ’79 share her wisdom on campus, we are proud to call her an alumna. n

F E AT U R E

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PANTHERS

IN THE ZONE FALL RECAP Cross country

Girls tennis

This season was successful for both boys and girls cross country teams. Led by 12 seniors, the team medaled in all of their meets. For the first time in Poly history, both boys and girls teams qualified for the post-season. The boys ran a record-breaking race in the prelims, allowing them to advance to the finals. The girls also ran well enough to advance to the finals and qualified for the state race, where they finished 17th. Xian Shively ’18 represented the boys team at the state race, where he finished 200th out of more than 900 runners. n

This season welcomed new head coach Michael Guice and returning assistant Jeff Yeom. The duo coached the team to a 10-5 overall record and finished second in the Prep League with an 8-2 record. The team made it to the post-season in CIF-SS Division 3, but fell in the first round to the neighboring Rams from Temple City High School. The young talent on this team makes for promising seasons ahead. n

Football Varsity football had an impressive season led by their 13 seniors. They finished the regular season with a perfect record of 10-0. They also earned the title of Prep League champs and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 10 11-man playoffs. They defeated Pacifica High School in the first round of playoffs before falling to Aquinas High School in the quarterfinals. n

Girls golf New coach Dale Rasmussen was able to continue the momentum of the girls golf team. The girls won the Prep League title for the first time in school history. They moved forward, graduating two pivotal seniors. The program has great upcoming talent to fill their shoes in seasons to come. n

Girls volleyball The girls volleyball team debuted four freshmen this year, making it the largest freshman class in the program’s history.

The newest members, led by three senior captains and three veterans, had a successful season, finishing with an overall record of 13-7 and a league record of 8-3. They advanced to the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs, where they fell to host school South Pasadena High School in a well-fought match. n

Boys water polo Panther boys water polo played in a couple of big tournaments this season and faced some larger schools. Even with the tough schedules, they finished with a 9-6 non-league record and a 12-13 overall record. They celebrated their 10 seniors in a match versus LaSalle, winning 9-8. n

WINTER PREVIEW Boys basketball Boys basketball started the season by winning the Webb Tournament. This veteran roster was up for the challenge.

All of the players are Varsity returners, adding only one freshman to the roster. There is hope that the experience of this team will give them a shot at the playoffs for another consecutive season. n

Girls basketball

Girls soccer The current Prep League co-champions returned to defend their title. With a lot of young talent, including six new freshmen, they hope to return to the playoffs with efforts led by the team’s three seniors and veteran coaches Pat Gray and Heidi Strauss. n

The girls basketball team returned to the court led by a senior duo heading up a very young team, including five freshmen. The program also welcomed two new assistant coaches, who were very well-acquainted with the program.

This year, coach and faculty member Rick Caragher joined coach Kim Weber Hall, as well as Poly alumna Blythe Haaga Parker ’01. The experienced coaching staff looks to lead this young team to a successful season. n

Girls water polo

Boys soccer

The fencing team had a strong fall season, finishing second in league after a tough-fought matchup in the Gryphon High School Team Challenge #1. They look to continue their success under the leadership of the three seniors during the winter season as they prepare for Challenge #2. n

Coach Doug Jolly got back to work with this team, including eight key seniors. This team had experience as an advantage and faced a couple of big tournaments before league play

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started. They hope to rely on their momentum to get them to the playoffs once again. n

PANTHERS IN THE ZONE

Five seniors are the foundation of this year’s girls water polo team. The team also welcomed two strong freshmen to the program. With the experience of the veterans and the strength of the freshmen, another playoff berth may be within reach. n

Fencing

PANTHERS

IN THE ZONE

Girls golf has record-breaking season

Seniors Angela Liu and Robyn Lee won first and second place, and freshman Taryn Kim placed eighth at the Prep League Golf Individual Tournament at Los Amigos Golf Course in October.

(Left to right: Angela Liu, Taryn Kim, Robyn Lee, Coach Rebecca Schneider) Poly’s girls golf team comes from humble beginnings when very few girls at the school showed an interest in the sport.

The few who did play were part of the boys team each spring, and over time their numbers grew. While participation was still not enough to actually field a team, Poly offered a girls golf PE class taught by the boys coach at the time, Michael Babcock ’76.

It only took a year for interest to grow, and a girls golf team was created. The efforts were spearheaded by Ally Annick ’15, who was a great influence and encouraged more of her peers to join the golf team. Although some did not have much experience in the sport, the girls were determined and worked to build their skills. Coach Babcock recalls that the experience was about more than the game of golf: The girls valued the bond that became such an important part of the team. Assistant Coach Rebecca Schneider also had significant impact on the growth of the team as a friend and a mentor to the girls. Babcock shared that Schneider was a great influence and a positive example for the girls, showing them that they, too, could hit hard and play the game with precision if they practiced diligently.

Fast-forward to the 2016 season. The baton was passed from Coach Babcock to Dale Rasmussen. Under the direction of Coaches Rasmussen and Schneider, the girls continued their momentum, finishing the fall season by breaking school history for the girls golf program: It was the first time that Poly earned the Prep League champion title.

Some other important statistics include: n Seniors Angie Liu and Robyn Lee earned first and second in the Prep League, another first in Poly history; n Three members of the team received all-league honors, the most in girls golf history at Poly; n Five members competed in the Prep League finals, the largest number in Poly history; n Two members competed in the CIF-SS individual regional tournament, the largest number of members among the six Prep League schools.

Liu reflected on her Poly golf career, sharing that being on the golf team has been the highlight of her time in high school and allowed her to build close relationships with girls in other grades. She noted that the skill of the players vastly improved during her four-year career, allowing the players to focus on strategy — such as deciding which club to use and how to resolve conflicts with opponents — rather than skill alone. Liu also touched on the camaraderie of the team: The girls have encouraged and supported each other, boosting their confidence and improving their mental game.

Fellow senior Lee expressed how exciting it is to see the golf program grow into an established team that embraces the game and develops skilled players.

She found pride in being part of the team due to the competitive edge developed by this group of girls. She also cited the strong connection this team has maintained despite the number of seniors graduating and new members joining each season, which speaks to the close-knit culture of the program.

Golf is a challenging sport that requires a balance of skill, patience, strategy, and strength. Despite the variety of skill levels of the members of Poly’s golf team, the cohesiveness of the team has remained a constant. Even though golf may be considered an individual sport, these girls have made it evident that it is very much a team sport. n

PANTHERS IN THE ZONE

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Philanthropy Supporting a vision for innovation at Poly

Beginning this fall, Poly has engaged in a schoolwide initiative to discern how to effectively prepare our students as skillful, effective problem-solvers and innovators.

This donor-supported project, “POLYSolves,” is driven by Head of School John Bracker and a faculty committee to bring Poly’s essential founding principles to modern fruition through such methods as strategic use of technology and design thinking.

Within the definition of the school’s name, “polytechnic,” faculty are finding the inspiration to analyze how well school programs meet its mission. The Greek root “techne” calls to mind a craft or art that can be developed as a reliable skill. “Poly” of course refers to “many,” bringing a multifaceted array of skills together in the school’s curricular focus.

Over time, this polytechnic nature of the school has proven to be its most 18

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enduring strength, as Poly graduates rely on multiple proficiencies in all they do.

A launching component of the POLYSolves program is a consultancy between Poly and Jonathan Martin, one of the country’s leading experts in what makes a good 21st-century school. An experienced independent school teacher, dean, and head himself, Martin has brought his keen interest in effective educational progress to many institutions and conferences. The subjects of higher order thinking and project-based learning are among Martin’s countless fields of study for helping schools design curriculum, refine practices, and adopt change for progress.

In Martin’s initial work with Poly, he has emphasized the “bright spots” he sees at every grade level, which help keep the proper question at the heart of the project: “It is not how Poly can be more like its peers, but rather how Poly

can be like its own best self in even more moments,” Martin explains. His positive initial observations include the faculty’s adherence to clear, comprehensive expectations of excellence and ambition; the scope of opportunities for students to formulate their own inquiries and solutions at even the youngest grades; and the regularity with which Poly students must interact with each other and multiple subjects to accomplish an assignment well.

“As we move through the initiative to ensure Poly is educating future innovators, we will be delving into much more than the need for skills in science and technology,” Martin says.

“What is happening around a table in discussion of civics themes in an English course is just as essential as designing a team solution to a robotics challenge.”

To follow the project, weigh in on discoveries Poly teachers and their students make along the way, and learn more about design thinking and innovation at school, the community can access new web pages on the school site devoted to POLYSolves.

Along with John Bracker and the steering committee, the rest of Poly’s faculty and students stand ready with enthusiasm to open new doors thanks to this exceptional example of generous donor support.

To learn more, visit www.polytechnic.org/polysolves.

Poly

Connections

The Poly Fund flourishes The Poly Fund includes all gifts that support the school’s students, faculty members, and programs in the current year. This giving, both unrestricted and designated for specific use, makes up a significant portion of the daily operating budget and continues to be Poly’s central philanthropic focus.

Thanks to the support of a large community of donors, the Poly Fund has been growing steadily for many years — in fact, this school’s founding values emphasize giving back. We have an even more ambitious goal of $3.75 million for this year that calls for everyone’s participation!

If you have any questions or would like to support the Poly Fund, please contact Elizabeth Shdo, director of the Poly Fund, at eshdo@polytechnic.org or visit www.polytechnic.org/give.

WHO GIVES TO THE POLY FUND? Poly Fund gifts by donor type

Faculty/staff (4%)

Other (3%)

Alumni parents (16%)

Alumni (46%)

Grandparents (4%)

Current parents (22%) Alumni and current parents (5%)

THE POLY FUND FIVE YEARS OF GROWTH

$4.0M GOAL*

YEAR

POLY FUND TOTAL

$3.5M

2012-13 $2,781,302 2013-14 $2,925,464 2014-15 $3,097,494

$3.0M

2015-16 $3,324,865 2016-17 $3,750,000* $2.5M

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

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A note from the Alumni Association president

Events

The pages of this magazine are filled with inspiring examples of programs on campus and the people who make our community so vibrant. One program I consider to be a highlight of Poly alumni activity is the Distinguished Alumni Award. The campus visiting day of this year’s recipient, Sarah Hotchkis Ketterer ’79, featured on page 14, reminds me how much the award program enhances current students’ experience and connection with the greater Poly story. Many years the program engages each division — Lower, Middle, and Upper School — allowing our students and guest of honor to engage with each other around new and shared topics of interest. Equally notable are the three young alumni featured in the following pages. From an expert golfer to an NGO activist and an international cycling travel guide, each person profiled represents the diverse paths that Poly alumni follow after graduating. I hope you enjoy reading about the exciting work our Alumni Association and community are engaged in as individuals and with each other.

Inaugural Alumni Cub Club play date

Go Panthers!

Warren Techentin ’86

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Poly alumni with young children gathered this fall for the first Poly Alumni Cub Club (PACC) play date, which took place at the Southern California Children’s Museum, founded by Catherine Mi Welch ’99.

The event brought together 27 alumni and their children for a morning of educational play and snacks.

The PACC was recently created by the Poly Alumni Association and is led by Alumni Board members Ezra Callahan ’99 and Elisa Rodriguez Cunningham ’01.

They aim to build on the great success of this first event with future play dates. For more information about PACC, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@polytechnic.org. n

Poly

Connections

Events Poly alumni gather nationwide

Alumni regional receptions kicked off on the East Coast in September in Boston and New York, along with lunches for Poly alumni in college attending Harvard, Barnard, Columbia, and NYU. In October, Poly Panthers in Denver and Boulder were invited to dinner with Head of School John Bracker for our first alumni gatherings in the areas. Bracker then joined Poly’s Chief Financial Officer Keith Huyssoon for a dinner with alumni in Chicago. The Downtown LA Reception in November brought together 70 alumni from classes ranging from 1965 to 2016. The event was a fun sample of the talents of chef Andrea Uyeda ’91 at her restaurant, ediBOL, in the heart of the Arts District. Current Poly parents Tom Chang and Lily Lee hosted a seaside reception for alumni in Orange County in early December. n

Steve Dress, Cindy Lam ’02, Katie Anawalt ’02, Kevin Herman ’06

Left to right: John Bracker, Chris Lopez ’15, Emily Huntsman ’17, Brennan Hart ’16, Jack Wilson ’17, Greg Feldmeth, John D’Andrea ’14

Leslie Ali Walker ’86, Ben Walker

Lily Chang, Alex Cruz ’91, Bien Cruz P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

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Events Young Alumni events

Alumni in college get together on campus while home for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Caity Saggese ’07, Devon Feldmeth ’07, Elizabeth Phillips ’07, Victoria Genevier ’07

Festive winter events for Young Alumni The winter months are a wonderful time for the many alumni who return home to Pasadena for the holidays.

In December the Alumni Association hosted the muchloved annual Young Alumni Holiday Mixer for the Classes of 2002 to 2013. More than 98 alumni from Los Angeles and those in town from all over the country gathered at Mijares in Pasadena for margaritas and favorite food with friends. Also during the season, Poly welcomed back to campus nearly 180 alumni for the 5and 10-Year Reunion Classes of 2012 and 2007. Alumni and parents enjoyed a reception together in Poly’s Upper School Library before alumni moved to their class dinners on campus, and the Class of 2007 opened their senior-year time capsule. Thank you to all who attended these events, and special thanks to the Class of 2012 and 2007 reunion committees for making the reunions a memorable success! n

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Alumni in college back on Poly’s campus before Thanksgiving On Nov. 23, alumni from the classes of 2013 to 2016 returned to Poly for the annual Alumni in College BBQ. Current faculty members Tina Cocumelli and Greg Feldmeth and Head of School John Bracker also attended the event to catch up with some of Poly’s most recent graduates.

Scheduled every year near the Thanksgiving holiday, the event gives new alumni an opportunity to see former teachers, classmates, and friends from adjacent classes and to connect around their college experiences. n

Elias Sidens ’10, Anand Upadhyaya ’10, Matthew Morrish ’10, Schafer Chulay ’10

Blake Edwards ’11, Zibby Boyer’11, Zach Murphy ’11

Willie Myers ’07, Ruby Hannan ’07, Joan Sadler ’07, Caitlin Latta ’07,

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

Hannah Withers ’07

Poly

Class Notes Class Notes editorial policy: The editorial staff gives preference to those class notes that come from primary sources. We reserve the right to edit class notes (primarily because of space considerations and occasionally for clarity). We do not have the resources to fact-check class note entries; therefore, we cannot be liable for inaccurate or false information that may inadvertently find its way into a class note. We thank you for your understanding.

To submit a class note, send an email to classnotes@polytechnic.org.

1939-1959 Amanda Nyce McIntyre ’52 Although life on the shore in Carpinteria is almost perfect, I am still exploring the world and searching for handcrafted works and the glories of raw nature … this year Patagonia’s glaciers and penguins and soon Bolivia and Lake Titicaca — hoping the high altitude does not interrupt my visit. n Mary Crotty O’Reilly ’54 I am sitting here in the kitchen with Roopee, my 4½-foot albino California kingsnake. She is a great monitor for incoming violent storms and 24- to 48-hour earthquake warnings. Thank you, Mr. Wilfred Lucas, eighth grade science teacher, for teaching me to observe the normal versus abnormal of vertebrates. n Louis Rowan ’56 “A Mystery’s No Problem” is my new novel from Equus Press, in addition to “Love’s, poetry” from Oystercatcher Press. Some episodes from my Pasadena days are included in the novel. I remember fondly our 50-year reunion, especially discussing writing with Steve Cannell and seeing Mrs. Young in her Arroyo home. n

Connections

ALUMNI PROFILE

Willie Meyers ’07

by Blythe Haaga ’01

Last spring as a visiting performer at a storytelling event in Brooklyn, N.Y., Willie Meyers ’07 had the audience rapt describing life in Burundi, the small East African country where he lives and works. Willie has an abundance of stories to tell, many of which, he admits, revolve around his close friendship with two puppies he adopted (#puppiesofBurundi on Instagram). In another, Willie details a 2015 attempted coup d’état, which forced him to evacuate from Burundi and “couch surf” with friends in Rwanda for five months. Each tale comes with his balance of humor and humility, sense of adventure, and service to others.

Meyers manages the finance and audit departments of an NGO called One Acre Fund, which provides agricultural inputs and trainings to smallholder farmers. The organization serves 48,000 farmers in Burundi and 400,000 farmers globally. Thanks to his Poly French teachers, Madames Terzi and Mair, Meyers is able to communicate with the locals. “Burundi is francophone, and I never would have gotten this job or moved here without my Poly French knowledge.”

Before his move to East Africa, Meyers lived in Chicago and worked at a tech startup by day while performing comedy at night. “I also ate a lot of pizza,” he notes. Although Meyers’ comedy career is currently on hold, he has found some interest as a performer in Burundi. “I was asked to join a private karaoke group in Bujumbura after singing a Jason Mraz song in a hilltop bar.”

After graduating from Poly, Meyers was an East Asian Studies major at Princeton University, earning additional certificates in linguistics and translation. He credits Poly, particularly Dr. Pixton’s Modern China class, with planting his desire to study and work abroad. “I went to college specifically for East Asian studies and then lived in Japan and Vietnam before ending up in East Africa.” His next move is to Nairobi, Kenya, to run the Global Financial Advisory Services team for One Acre Fund, coordinating finance departments across the six core countries in which they operate. Of course the #puppiesofBurundi are moving with him. n

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Class Notes CONTINUED

Donald Gertmenian ’57 Among many thoughts and feelings roused in me by the sad news of the death of Mahlon Arnett ’57 (In Memoriam, p. 29), particularly strong ones are cheer and gratitude at the cohesion that our class has displayed over many years. Most recently these qualities were evident at a gathering called by Mahlon, which all who attended enjoyed so much. It’s a marvelous thing, really — we were classmates nearly 60 years ago. We went separate ways for years on end, often falling completely out of touch with one or another. Yet drawn — by what? By the memory of those years? By starting off growing up together? Certainly in part by our class secretaries Betsy and Stanton — many of us are in touch and enjoying each other’s company perhaps even more than we did then. Pictured standing left to right: Mary Test ’57, Sandra Sarnoff ’57, Nick Goodhue ’57, Jim Panos ’57, Beverly Braun ’57, Don Gertmenian ’57, Mahlon Arnett ’57. Seated left to right: Betsy Crockett ’57, Sally Holland ’57, Jill Polsby ’57. n Stan Hales ’57 The passing of Donna Washburn ’57 in July is a sad loss to our wonderful Class of ’57. She was unable to attend our 50th reunion in 2007, writing that she had been in poor health since 1998, was in assisted living in North Hollywood, and did not get out much. Many of us carry a clear memory of her in a Brownie uniform with the mushroom cap, and we recall playtime

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afternoons in the backyard of her home at the corner of Rosalind and Orlando Roads. Alison McKelvey Clayson ’57 holds the image of “the bright-eyed, laughing, and sometimes mischievous person I knew then.” Jim Panos ’57 recalls Donna on stage at San Marino High School with parasol in a version of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.”

Sally Grant Holland ’57, who regularly took Donna out for her November birthday, discovered this year that Donna had died in July. She captures Donna well: “It is such a sad ending to a life. Donna had so many gifts … she was bright and funny, and a very talented singer.” Indeed, Donna’s career in music was definitely one of the more unusual and interesting ones in our class. She appeared as a vocalist and instrumentalist in 14 albums, including one each with Joe Cocker (1970) and Leonard Cohen (1973). Of special interest to me as a bluegrass fan was her work with Doug Dillard, Gene Clark, and Byron Berline. The 1969 Dillard & Clark LP, “Through the Morning, Through the Night,” carries the photo below of Donna sitting to right of Doug Dillard. On this album, she sings a lovely lead on the well-known tune “Rocky Top” and backup on the other tracks. She also made two tapes of religious music, “Let the Glory Roll.” n

1960-1969

David Allan ’68 It has been an intense start to the 2016-17 school year at Pacific Valley School on the “Wild Coast” of Big Sur, with two wildfires threatening us. Several friends lost their homes and more. The firefighters have put in a valiant effort to defend our community, so the kids in my classes and I created a 15-foot-long mural to express our appreciation to all who served in the defense effort. The mural was delivered on Sept. 22 to the Molera Fire Camp, and everyone there at the camp loved it. The mural is now touring between the fire camps and stations adjoining the Ventana Wilderness. The photo here is a card I made for all the firefighters who worked both wildfires, showing the mural. n

1970-1979 Leslie Priest Roubal ’70 I have joined the great exodus and retirement community of Baby Boomers.

Moved to Port Townsend, Wash., to enjoy coolness and seasons with sailing and awesome mountains. It’s a crazy old hippy community of free-thinkers up here. Time to enjoy the arts and crafts of my youth and work for scholarships for young people to attend good schools. Husband Joe is still creating other-worldly globes — www.realworldglobes.com. n Lori Miller Middlehurst ’77 Read about Lori’s legal career and her success as a long distance swimmer — www.accdocket.com/articles/a-swimminglegal-career.cfm n

Poly

Class Notes 1980-1989

Robert Ward ’81 After more than 20 years on Colorado’s Western Slope, living less than 90 minutes apart, David Campbell ’81 and I have finally reverted to habits learned between classes in high school: plotting mischief, avoiding responsibility, telling Monty Python jokes, and more. Mountain bikes facilitate all of the above. n

Alessandra Bianchi Herman ’82 Had a wonderful time in October with classmate Beth Pryor Colocci ’82, who treated my mother, my niece, and me to a private, early morning showing of Georgia O’Keefe’s work at the Tate Modern in London. I was pleased to learn that O’Keefe is so prolific and versatile, with works far different from her iconic New Mexico scenes and infamous flowers. n Daniel Stuart ’82 Dan Stuart is a music lawyer. He coauthored “California’s Updated Coogan Law.” You probably listen to several of his clients every day. Music law is not boring. n Karen Mitchell ’84 Randy and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. My sister, Ann Mitchell ’79, and I are celebrating the 25th anniverary of our jewelry company, Ankara Designs. We were invited to be presenters at the conference sponsored by the International Polymer Clay Association this past July in Bordeaux, France. n

Connections

ALUMNI PROFILE

Joan Sadler ’07

by Blythe Haaga ’01

To prepare for her interview with Backroads Active Travel Company, Joan Sadler ’07 enrolled herself in a course on bike mechanics. “I was really glad I did. During the interview, they asked me to change a flat tire in less than five minutes.” Since April, Joan has been leading bike tours for Backroads through Normandy, France, and in the region north of Barcelona, Spain. A multisport athlete while at Poly, Joan played four years of both basketball and volleyball and says that she has always enjoyed cycling. While leading trips, Joan rides between 40 and 100 kilometers a day.

Joan’s interest in camping and guiding was first piqued on Poly’s Outdoor Ed trips. She particularly loved her sophomore-year trip to Arizona and rafting on the Green River during her junior year. She continued to participate in and lead trips while attending Stanford University, where she majored in communications and minored in Spanish and French. Her interest in languages stemmed in part from an early desire to work in the active travel industry. “My family went on an active vacation when I was younger, and the leaders told me that if I ever wanted to work in the field, I should study languages.”

Joan first studied Spanish at Poly, which she says influenced her decision to study abroad in Spain during college. Though seemingly destined for a career abroad, Joan stayed in the Bay Area for five years after graduating from Stanford. She served as a project manager for SolutionSet, a digital consultancy focusing on web design. A few years later, Joan was hired by Starbucks to manage research and development for their collaboration with the bakery La Boulange, a partnership aimed at revitalizing their food program. Working directly with chefs, Joan participated in product tastings and coordinated between bakery teams and Starbucks management. When the La Boulange project came to an end, Joan seized the moment to make a bigger change … away from a desk.

Since pursuing her interest in active travel with Backroads, Joan’s leadership skills, fluency in French and Spanish, and love of the outdoors have all blended together in her new role. Although Joan leads trips three weeks out of every month, she has recently enjoyed a brief hiatus to return home for the holidays and attend her 10-year Poly reunion. n

M O R E A L U M N I N E W S AT W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G

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Class Notes

ALUMNI PROFILE

CONTINUED

Victoria Morgan ’12

1990-1999

by Andrew Rickert ’17

Victoria Morgan, currently ranked the 25th best collegiate female golfer in the nation, reflects fondly on the start of her illustrious athletic career: Olympic Day in Poly’s Lower School. As the fanfare roared in Scott Gym and adrenaline built among the cheering mobs of third-graders, Morgan knew from then on she would one day become a professional athlete.

Now an opener for the golf team in her senior year at USC with prospects for the LPGA, Morgan’s journey has been far from conventional. She recalls from her freshman year in high school that she recruited her best friend to join her in Poly’s then all-male golf program so that she wouldn’t be the only girl on the team. Surprisingly, she cites playing on the boys team as indispensable to her later success, since she improved her power to remain competitive with her male peers.

Although Poly’s rigorous academics made it difficult to focus on golf full time, when Morgan arrived at USC in 2012, she felt so well prepared for college-level courses that she could afford to spend hours a day perfecting her game. After three years of training with the women’s golf team, Morgan grew to play a crucial role last year, especially during San Diego State University’s March Mayhem tournament, where she clinched a birdie on the final hole against the 2015 Pac-12 champion, securing a place in the semifinals. Now a redshirt senior, Morgan’s role has grown as she has led the Trojans to a win in their first tournament of the season, individually shooting 7 under par for the event.

Despite her prowess as an athlete, Morgan ultimately sees herself as more of an academic person, a quality she attributes to her Poly education.

She is currently majoring in philosophy, politics, and law, and was recently awarded the Order of Troy award for community service, academic excellence, and leadership. After continuing her golf career professionally for another two years, Morgan hopes to attend law school and later work for the United Nations. While she looks to the future, Morgan still holds on to her roots in Pasadena. As she puts it, “The best times of the year are breaks when things die down, so I can hang out with the friends I made at Poly.” n

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Taylor Smith ’90 Taylor Smith ’90, senior director of global marketing communications for Xbox, proudly co-accepted the Advertiser of the Year Award for Microsoft at the CLIO Awards held at the Natural History Museum in New York City this past September. This the second time in a decade that Taylor has accepted this prestigious award. In attendance at the awards ceremony were his wife, Joann Smith ’90, and his brother, Ted Smith ’93. The following month, Taylor was honored to accept a Grand CLIO Award and several others at the CLIO Key Arts Awards held in Los Angeles. The Grand CLIO was for his work on the Xbox Tomb Raider/Survivor Billboard in London.

Pratima Gupta ’92 Despite advice to the contrary and warnings that San Francisco city politics are a bloodbath, I ran for and won a seat on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (the governing body of the SF County Democratic party)! I am proud to serve as their first-ever physician member and one of the nation’s first abortion providers elected to office, and I am enjoying the opportunity to learn about and serve my community. n Scott Munnecke ’92 Greetings from Iowa. My wife, Becky, and I have three incredible children: Tyler, 14; Ashleigh, 7; and Maddox, 4. If you are ever near Des Moines, please reach out and say “hi.” n

Sarah Schoellkopf ’92 I got married on April 16, 2016, the day before my parents’ 45th wedding anniversary, in Santa Barbara, Calif. My

Poly

Connections

Class Notes groom, Richard William Neil, is a 1989 graduate from South Pasadena High, and thanks to Ann Cheney Haslup ’92, we met at an art event in San Francisco, where we both live. This photo includes Carol Luedtke (former faculty), Olin Barrett ’52, Anupama Shrivastava Shah ’92,Tehmina Jaffer ’92, Cathy Shelburne (former faculty), Pehr Luedtke ’91, Pratima Gupta ’92, Ann Cheney Haslup, Mark McKee (former faculty), Carolyn Barrett ’91, Christine Tse Kuecherer ’92,Giancarlo DiMassa ’92, Catherine Rongey ’93, Jennifer Barnum Thayer ’92, Amanda Barrett ’93, Greg Gentschev ’92, Martin Andersons ’92, Gbenga Ajilore ’92, Laura (former faculty) and Nick Pendorf, Eugene Kim ’92, Monica Partridge ’92, Patricia Lam Knox ’92, Pia Luedtke Mason ’94, Beatriz Estrada ’91, Daisy Ha ’92, and Jennifer Scalf Vargo ’92. n

2000-2014

Ryan Fraser ’00 Ryan and Catherine Volini married on July 9, 2016, lakeside in Michigan. Catherine is a fundraising consultant for nonprofits; Ryan is a public defender.

They live in San Diego. n Sam Nicholson ’06 Sam is now an editor at Random House in New York. n Jesse Myers ’06 I just graduated with my MBA from Stanford. While the student debt is very real, I feel tremendously grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded to me. Poly was the first institution to give me a chance, and everything since has flowed directly from it. I will be forever grateful for Poly. n

Bronwyn Reed ’08 Bronwyn is starring as Baby in the national Broadway tour of “Dirty Dancing,” coming to the Los Angeles area Feb. 2-5 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center. Bronwyn has also appeared on “Law and Order SVU” for the last year and will soon appear in the Sean Penn-directed film “The Last Face” with Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem. n

Members of Poly’s former faculty and staff group, PoPs, gathered for a festive holiday lunch at the Valley Hunt Club and enjoyed reminiscing about their days at Poly and former students.

Pictured from left to right. Front row, Jolly Urner, Diana Raney, Linda Stowitts.

Back row, Gretchen Gantner, Susie Wilson, Dorothy Wooddell

In Memoriam

E. David Murphy September 12, 2016, San Marino, California Dave served on Poly’s Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1994 and was president for the last four years of that term. He led with M O R E A L U M N I N E W S AT W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G

wisdom and generosity and continued to be a remarkably giving and supportive champion of Poly’s mission ever since.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and children David ’91 and Cameron ’94. Dave was born in New York City in 1941 and raised in Adams, Mass. Not satisfied with the limited options in his small town upon graduating from high school, he set off for California, hitchhiking on Route 66 with nothing more than a little saved pocket money — about $40. The epitome of a self-starter, Dave dove head first into his new life in Los Angeles, quickly climbing corporate ladders, attending college at night, and most importantly, meeting the love of his life, Jennifer Filipchuk. When drafted into the army in 1966, Dave put this new promising life on hold, longing for Jennifer and the opportunities awaiting him back in L.A. He returned as soon as his stint as an MP at Fort Riley, Kan., ended.

Jennifer and Dave were married in 1969

in South Pasadena and loved each other intensely for the next 47 years, building a blessed life together in San Marino and then Pasadena. Family was most important to Dave, and he adored his wife and two sons, to whom he gave all of his love and support — and most of his time.

His plate already full with family and work, Dave believed it was important to give back. He found the time and energy to be a leader in Pasadena, in particular as president of the boards of Poly and The Valley Hunt Club, two institutions close to his heart. Dave also will be remembered for how charitable he was on a personal level. Full of warmth and generosity, Dave was always ready with a welcoming smile to provide support or have a helpful chat, treating each person he met as an equal with respect and an open heart, no matter where they came from or what they did.

IN MEMORIAM CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

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In Memoriam We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those listed below and hope this section assists those who wish to honor their Poly classmates and friends. Poly publishes obituaries as space allows when we receive notice that an alumnus/a or former faculty or staff member has died. If we have neglected to list someone, please send us biographical information, which we will print in a subsequent issue. Please note: Listings include those received through January 2017.

Dawn Herbuveaux Cobb January 16, 2017, Pasadena, California Dawn was a beloved member of Poly’s faculty and staff for 41 years, starting as switchboard operator and registrar before moving into her decades-long role as Upper School college counselor. She was mother of Candace Cobb McNulty ’65 and Quinlan Cobb Brown ’64 and grandmother of Sylvie Andrews ’98, Ariel Andrews ’98, and Gillian Andrews ’95.

More detailed recollections of Dawn’s life and years at Poly will be included in the June issue.

Richard P. B. Tyson ’34 August 8, 2016, Pasadena, California Richard was born May 23, 1919, in Tacoma, Wash., and moved at four months old with his parents Agnes and Albin Thiesen to California. Raised in South Pasadena, Pasadena, Altadena, and San Marino, he attended Oneonta, Poly, South Pasadena, and San Marino High Schools, as well as Pasadena City College, where he met Mary Webster and fell in lifelong love.

Richard was preceded in death by Mary. He is survived by daughters Candis Tyson Ipswitch ’63, Julia Tyson La Grua ’71, and Brooke Tyson ’75, and grandchildren Flannery ’03, Rosemary ’07, and Beatrice La Grua ’11. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Richard entered the Navy V7 program at USC and was commissioned an officer serving on sub-chasers, destroyer escorts, and the battleship California. He earned his juris doctor degree from Southwestern Law School and practiced criminal law in Pasadena for more than 50 years, taking particular pleasure in the years spent in partnership with his daughter Candis. Richard was a member of the Overland Club, Valley Hunt Club, Pasadena University Club, and Pasadena Rotary. He served as chairman of the California State Bar Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure and was a past president of the Pasadena Bar Association. He received the Pasadena Bar Association’s Donald R. Wright Distinguished Service Award and the Criminal Courts Bar Association’s two major awards, the Jerry Giesler Memorial Award and the Joseph Rosen Justice Award.

Donald R. Krag ’41 May 25, 2016, Phelan, California Emily Angle Wallis ’41 July 26, 2016, Pebble Beach, California Anne Erkenbrecher Wright ’41 September 2016, Dana Point, California

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Barbara Rossiter Agnew ’42 November 4, 2016, Irvington, Virginia Barbara was the consummate California girl, having been born and raised in Pasadena. She adored her adopted home state of Virginia and spent countless hours enjoying the state’s natural beauty. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence F. Rossiter. Barbara was predeceased by her brother, Edward Rossiter ’53. She is survived by her husband, James Q. Agnew, sister, Corlette Rossiter Walker ’39, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mary Jean Reeves Wilson ’42 October 12, 2016, Sierra Madre, California Mary Jean was born in Pasadena to Mariquita and Owen T. Reeves III. Her father was a builder and contractor, and her mother was a homemaker. She attended Poly and South Pasadena High School and then went on to the University of Oregon, where she studied business and pledged Kappa Alpha Theta. She was a continuation education teacher for 20 years with LAUSD, where she worked with troubled high school students. She is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, David Wilson ’43. She is survived by her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Priscilla Allen Ahern ’44 Septmber 4, 2016, Newport Beach, California Priscilla was born on Sept. 27, 1929, in Los Angeles to W. Herbert and Eleanor Allen. She was raised in Pasadena, attended Poly, graduated from Katherine Branson School in Ross, Calif., and then attended Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. Priscilla was predeceased by brother, William Allen ’47. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Ahern; sister, Joan Allen Funk ’42; children, and grandchildren.

Douglas Coughran ’39 November 13, 2016, Tucson, Arizona Robert B. Herschler ’44 November 22, 2016, Riverside, California Robert was born on Dec. 29, 1929. His 30-year career at UC Riverside included stints as ombudsman, history teacher, and co-founding DJ of KUCR’s enduring Jazz Tuesday program by Kris Lovekin. Robert started working as UCR’s registrar in 1961 and also taught history briefly, eventually settling entirely into administration, running the registrar’s office until he retired in 1992. Along the way he took on other titles as well, as director of admissions, interim vice chancellor, and campus ombudsman.

Students often brought their parents to gawk at his office because it was stuffed with such an eclectic collection of books and art.

Robert also presided over lunches at Mario’s Place in downtown Riverside every Friday with his close friend and founding UCR faculty member, Francis Carney, discussing a wide range of

Poly

topics from politics and history to music and movies. He was an accomplished pianist who recorded five albums of classics he arranged and interpreted, including his most recent, “Kids’ Songs Gone Jazz.” Robert met his wife, Amy Conger, at a political fundraiser in Riverside, and they were married in 1986. Robert is survived by his wife and four children.

Gordon Hunt ’44 December 17, 2016, Los Angeles, California Gordon was born in Pasadena in 1929 and attended Poly from 1940-42. He worked in New York before becoming casting director at the Mark Taper Forum. He was later hired by HannaBarbera and worked for a decade as the voice director during the studio’s frenetic days as the king of animation TV. He worked on “The Jetsons,” “The Smurfs,” “Scooby-Doo,” “The Flintstones,” and more. Later, while working as a voice coach in Hollywood, Gordon supplied the voice for the jaded character Wally in the TV adaptation of the comic strip “Dilbert.” He also directed television sitcoms, including episodes of “Frazier,” “Suddenly Susan,” and “Mad About You,” the long-running NBC show for which his daughter Helen Hunt won four Emmys. He won the Directors Guild of America Award for his work on a 1995 episode, “The Alan Brady Show.” Gordon also had a professorial side — he taught acting and voice for decades and wrote a common-sense book on how to prepare for an audition. To read more about Gordon’s life and career, please visit the Los Angeles Times obituary section published Dec. 21, 2016.

Mary Wells Jencks ’44 December 9, 2016, Santa Barbara, California Lorinda Knight Johnson ’46 October 10, 2016, Montecito, California Lorinda was adopted by Marjorie and Dudley Knight and spent her childhood at the family home in Pasadena with her older sister, Robin Knight Spear ’42. Lorinda is the cousin of Heloise Bacon Power ’42. She met her first husband, Herb Briggin, in 1952. They married in 1953, and moved from Pasadena to Mill Valley, where she began her real estate career and where they raised three children. Lorinda married her second husband, Dick Johnson, in 1983. Dick and Lorinda enjoyed 31 years together until his passing in 2013.

Norman B. Williamson ’47 October 31, 2016, Santa Barbara, California Norman “Tad” was born May 18, 1932, in Los Angeles. Tad was the youngest son of Ruth and Frederick Warren Williamson; grandson of Los Angeles Times Publisher Harry Chandler and his wife, Marian Otis Chandler; and great-grandson of General Harrison Gray Otis, owner and original publisher of the Los Angeles Times. Tad spent most of his childhood in Pasadena in his home on Arden Road, which is now a feature of Poly’s Upper School campus. Tad attended Poly for elementary school and went to high school at The Thacher School in Ojai, Calif., where his love of the great outdoors and horses was fostered. Tad attended Williams College and the University of Arizona’s School of Mines, which prepared him for a job working for Herbert Hoover Jr.’s United Geophysical Corporation. Tad then served two years in the U.S. Army stationed in France. Upon his return from service, he

Connections

attended Claremont McKenna College and received a bachelor of arts in business. While at CMC, Tad met his future bride, Victoria (Cici) Andrew, who was attending Scripps College. They married April 11, 1959, in Kenilworth, Ill. He went on to receive his master’s degree in business from Stanford University. Tad began his professional career with Loomis Sayles in Los Angeles. He then moved on to manage FMC Corporation’s pension fund in San Jose, Calif., and moved with the company to their new corporate headquarters in Chicago from 1972 to 1982. Tad is survived by his wife; son Fred Williamson ’79 and his fiancée, Amanda Mooreand; son Harry “Chandler” Williamson ’81; son Jonathan Williamson and his wife, Sharon; brother, Warren B. Williamson ’43; and grandchildren Hughes ’14, Hillary ’11, Frederick ’10, Clare ’20, J.T. ’14, and Collin ’16. He was predeceased by siblings Chandler Williamson ’45 and Susan Williamson Dulin ’45.

Edward L. Rossiter II ’53 September 13, 2015, Gold Beach, Oregon Ed was born on May 18, 1938, in Pasadena, one of three children to Lawrence F. and Gladys Rossiter. He is the brother of Corlette Rossiter Walker ’39, and Barbara Rossiter Agnew ’42. Ed earned his engineering degrees at Stanford University. As an undergraduate, Ed enrolled in the ROTC program and followed his time in college by serving two years as an officer in the US Navy just prior to the Vietnam War. Ed then earned his Ph.D. in engineering and physics at Princeton University, followed by his MBA from Stanford in 1968. He spent much of his career in the Silicon Valley, where he began working in the engineering field doing mathematical analysis and modeling. Later Ed worked as product marketing manager, overseeing marine, turbomachinery, and industrial product lines. He married Lorraine Filippone in Menlo Park, Calif., in 1978.

Mahlon E. Arnett ’57 October 16, 2016, Austin, Texas Mahlon E. Arnett III was son of the late Mahlon and Martha Arnett of San Marino. He was born April 15, 1942, in Pasadena.

Mahlon was a graduate of Poly, The Webb School, and the University of Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Roberta “Robbie,” sons Bert and Tres, and his brother, Warren “Jeff” Arnett.

Donna Gale Washburn ’57 July 1, 2016, Hollywood, California See Class Notes, p. 24.

Christopher Williams ’78 June 2016, Pasadena, California Christopher C. Matthiessen ’79 April 25, 2016, Bothell, Washington Christopher was born Oct. 1, 1961, in Pasadena. He was the son of Robert ’49 and Ann Matthiessen. He was brother of Bob Matthiessen ’82, Carrie Matthiessen O’Neal ’85, and nephew of Ann Matthiessen Scarborough ’42 and Mary Matthiessen Terbell ’39. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and loved gardening, traveling in South America, and cooking outdoors.

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

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P.S. Suzie Korostoff Arther ’89 Suzie Korostoff Arther ’89, mother of Maren ’21 and Adam ’23, returned to her alma mater as a faculty member in 2000 as a third grade teacher. After taking a break from 2002 to 2009, she rejoined the faculty as a fourth grade teacher. In 2011, she began teaching second grade. This past year, she transitioned from second grade teacher to Lower School math specialist. As an alumna, current parent, and faculty member, Suzie brings a unique perspective to Poly.

Q: Describe your role at Poly.

I’ve been fortunate enough to hold several positions at Poly. Currently, I am the Lower School math specialist. I have the coolest job because I get to work with all the kids and all the teachers in the Lower School. I can be counting to 10 with kindergarteners, and then an hour later, I am multiplying fractions with fifth-graders. It’s pretty great.

Q: What inspired you to go from the full-time classroom to a math specialist?

After teaching in the classroom for 16 years, I was ready to try something different. The Singapore Math program changed the way I taught and thought about math. I really connected to the philosophy of the program and began to really love teaching math. I was thrilled by the idea of seeing the progression of the program through the different grade levels, and I am still inspired by the way our students are developing as mathematicians.

Q: How does it feel to be teaching at your alma mater?

Poly has been my home since the late 1970s. It was, and continues to be, a school that values the development of the whole child while exacting high academic expectations. I was talking to a new Poly parent a few days ago, and she was commenting that, unlike the school her child came from, Poly encouraged students to explore all passions and opportunities for learning. Here, kids can be on sports teams, participate in plays and performances, and be encouraged to succeed academically. That was true when I was a student here, and clearly it still holds true today. I treasure Poly’s traditions and steadfast character, and I am also proud of how the school can grow and change as best practices in teaching evolve.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think,” from “Winnie the Pooh” by A. A. Milne

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P. S .

1030 East California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106 626.396.6300 : www.polytechnic.org

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P.S. with Suzie Korostoff Arther ’89