In Memoriam

Justin Huarg ’14 has been busy studying and wrapping up my second year at NYU, College of Dentistry. In the midst of that, He has been raising a very cute miniature retriever named Rosie. She just recently turned one! He is keeping in touch with some of the people from SFS. He hopes everyone is doing well during this pandemic.

Joon Kim ’14 started a new job during the pandemic working at LinkedIn in San Francisco, California. His proudest accomplishment during the pandemic was running my first marathon with Sunwoo Hong ’14. My least proudest accomplishment was my newfound unhealthy interest in golf. He has also joined the SFS Alumni Association Executive Committee and looks forward to serving in the role in helping a stronger SFS Alumni community in the future.

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Joon Kim ’14 Yearbook photo.

Shirley Ann Dorow, former teacher

and founder of the junior kindergarten program at SFS, died at her home in Roseville, MN on December 7, 2021, at the age of 90 after living with cancer for six years. Shirley began her life-long ministry of service and education as Field Secretary for the Lutheran Deaconess Association from 1953 to 1956, then accompanied her husband Maynard, of Garner, Iowa, to South Korea in 1957 to establish Lutheran missionary work there. During her forty years in Korea, Shirley raised four children while leading social work efforts with orphanages, hospitals, and a center for single mothers. She authored countless newsletters and reports about the work of the Lutheran Church in Korea, taught English to college and seminary students, and served as an editor and food columnist at an English language newspaper. She established the junior kindergarten program at Seoul Foreign School, where she taught for ten years. Shirley did extensive research in the principles of nutrition and protein complementarity, and campaigned throughout her life for responsible global food resource stewardship. In retirement, Shirley continued to be an ardent advocate for the work of the church in Korea, passionately promoted earth care and food sharing, and served in many ways at her beloved Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Memorial gifts may be made to Bread for the World or Christian Friends of Korea.

SFS Award 2021

The SFS Award is presented by the SFS Board of Governors to a graduating senior who best exemplifies the ideals of the SFS Mission Statement. A belated congratulations to the 2021 recipient of the SFS Award - Kenzo Nakamura. The message of commendation from the award committee is as follows.

“Demonstrating strength of character and integrity, Kenzo is a shining embodiment of the SFS Mission Statement. We found him to be passionate, reflective, and a living testament to the Christ-like values and principles upon which Seoul Foreign School is based. Kenzo is clearly a highly motivated student and has demonstrated a passion for learning and a commitment to academic and creative excellence, as well as community leadership. During our time with Kenzo, we found him to be genuine, heartfelt, articulate, and overflowing with school spirit, giving us the strong impression that he will continue to embody the ideals of the SFS Mission Statement long after he has graduated. We believe that Kenzo Nakamura will continue to be a wonderful ambassador for SFS as he continues his journey out in the world.”

Alumni Mission in Action Exemplar,

Arnold Han ’21

Astrength of SFS is its strong alumni body of 5,400+ members around the world that have been deeply impacted by their alma mater and are excited to share their time, talents, and treasures. Over 50% of the alumni registered on SFS Global Connect, the virtual platform for alumni, have expressed a willingness to give back in some way.

While he was a student, Arnold was extremely active in the SFS choral program, singing in multiple choirs, successfully auditioning for national and international honors choirs, and being selected as the AMIS Male Vocalist of the Year. He is presently studying music composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Tom Ford, Arnold’s former teacher, shares how Arnold was not only a talented choral student but a mentor and inspiration to the younger students, especially those who saw him in the lead role of Jean Valjean in the High School production of Les Misérables. Also, Arnold would often volunteer in the Arts department while he was a student.

At the beginning of this calendar year, Arnold agreed to make a video for Elementary School students sharing how he uses creativity when composing. Check out the video here by scanning the QR code on the right.

Then on a trip back to Korea in March, he stopped by campus to visit his friend, mentor, and former teacher, Tom Ford. Arnold composed an original piece, "Music Will Calm Thee", and dedicated it to Tom and the premier choral group at SFS, Moonlight Choir which the choir performed at the High School Spring Concert in April.

The British School also benefited from Arnold’s talents and generosity through workshops for Year 5 and 6. These students had been working on a poetry unit and Arnold helped them put their words to music with a special focus on Korean drumming and culture. He also inspired them with the story of how the best known of Vivaldi's works - The Four Seasons - was published with accompanying poems (possibly written by Vivaldi himself) that elucidated what it was about those seasons that his music was intended to evoke.

Arnold’s way with students, servant spirit, and love for SFS has been brought out by the investment in him by all his teachers, especially Tom Ford who believed in him and acted as his mentor both at SFS and now at university.

Would you like to give your time and talent to SFS? Contact the Director of Alumni Relations, Eric De Haan eric. dehaan@seoulforeign.org and it would be his pleasure to work with you on how you can make an impact on the SFS community.

Celebration 110 Years of SFS Alumni History

A look back at the life of alumnus Eric B Vesey ’1913-1920

(Below) SFS 1913 : 1.Dorothy Hoggard 2.Mary Moose 3.Ethel Van Wagoner (teacher) 4.Martin Avison 5.Esther Beck 6.Eleanor Millard 7.Nancy Moose 8.Milfred Twilley 9.Edith Moose 10.Francis Beck 12.Eric Vesey 13.Etta Bowman 14.Raymond Avison 15.Earnest Twilley 16.Edward Avison 17.Ruth Millard 18.John Millard 19.Hugh Miller 20.Alec Twilley 21.Francis Bonwick 22.Ralph Miller 23.Ruth Thomas 24.Marion Morris Eric B Vesey was a student at Seoul Foreign School from 1913-1920 while his parents were missionaries in Korea. In January 2022, Eric’s son David contacted the Alumni Relations office with the news that he had found a booklet among Eric’s possessions entitled “A Partial Directory”, written in June 1935. A copy of this document was generously provided for the school’s archives.

Director of Alumni Relations, Eric De Haan then began researching the Vesey family history in Korea, finding the picture above in the 100th Anniversary book. Going through old pictures brought back memories for David of the many stories his father shared of his time in Korea. Inspired, David decided to write down his family's history of their time in Korea from 1910-1918 based on the detailed diaries of his mother from that time period, and is thrilled to share this with the SFS community.