This is an end-of-the-school-year special issue of The Thacher News magazine, available only online through Thacher’s website: www.thacher.org. Via this trial balloon, we hope to offer more up-to-date information to the Thacher Community and to encourage use of Thacher’s ever-expanding web site to enhance communications. Please offer feedback on this means of hearing about Thacher events and news.
In this issue 3 Letters to the Editor 4 Gymkhana Weekend 2001 6 The Importance of Being Your Own Person; Taking Control of Your Life by James W. DeYoung
8 Commencement 2001 11 Awards 2001 12 A Thacher Education Withstands the Test of Time by Michael A. Greene CdeP ’62
14 Taking Chances by Jay A. Levy, M.D.
—Jane McCarthy, Editor
17 Seniors’ Matriculation and Senior Exhibition Topics 18 Reunion Weekend 2001 20 Thacher’s Specialness by Marc L. Murray CdeP ’81
22 Getting to Know Jack Huyler
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by Thomas H. Crozier CdeP ’77
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The Thacher News Spring/Summer 2001 Volume XIII, Number 2
Editor Jane D. McCarthy Design Tim Ditch, Jane D. McCarthy, and J. Bert Mahoney.
Cover Photo Seniors Elizabeth Sanseau, Matty Wilson, Andrea Black, and Andrew DeYoung at Commencement Photo by Selina Tuggle
Photography Thomas H. Crozier CdeP ’77, Roger F. Hooper III CdeP ’71, Jack S. Huyler CdeP ’51H, Peter Matthews CdeP ’76, Jane D. McCarthy, Joy Sawyer-Mulligan, Jasmine Sampson, Timothy O Teague, and Selina Tuggle.
The Thacher News magazine is published periodically throughout the year by The Thacher School. In preparing this report, every effort was made to ensure that it is accurate and complete. If there is an omission or an error in spelling, please accept our apologies and notify the Head of School’s Office at The Thacher School, 5025 Thacher Road, Ojai, California 93023, or call (805) 646-4377.
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MEMBER
From the Editor
July 25, 2001 Dear Jane:
Letters
Before I completed reading the summer issue of The Thacher News, it came to me to write the Editor to thank you for the intensely interesting “Profile.” Each tells a reader precisely what Thacher is, what it is that makes it the extraordinary school! My interest (in Thacher ) stems from two Godchildren currently attending, plus the fact that I know a number of alumnae. Since I did not participate in the survey, I respond herewith, offering general observations, from an outsider’s viewpoint, who is fascinated with the School’s philosophy. Perhaps the “Profiles” could be shortened a bit. (Somewhat repetitive in parts to me.) Re size of the magazine could be reduced somewhat, so as to fit into the same size envelope for mailing brochures. I know the excessive cost of mailings—and—being an ardent ecologist/conservationist, am always out to eliminate waste, and to cut costs when feasible. So be it. With a salute, and appreciable thanks to you for most enlightening reading, I am, Most Sincerely, Barbara Dahn
July 25, 2001
August 7, 2001
August 22, 2001
I enjoyed browsing The Thacher News as always. I find myself always reading the alumni The Thacher News is first rate! I was sitting information and the history of the School and here during my morning break reading the the great individuals who have inhabited it “Alumni Returneth” portion of the Thacher over the years. Of course, that pride is useful in News and for the first time in 16 years (going alumni giving. back to my junior year at Thacher) I felt a part of an illustrious continuum of Thacher excel- I also have found nuggets of gold in several articles written my faculty and alumni on the lence. their areas of expertise and so forth. They have Thank you for helping me realize this feeling. been fascinating, stimulating and a break from Thank you for allowing me to contribute my the usual “how great we are” in alumni magrecollections. Thank you for helping me to re- azines. For the most part, these articles have alize that whatever greatness that I achieve in been on the humanities. I would propose to life will somehow be tied to the guidance and write an interesting article (which you should education that I received—and helped to feel completely free to reject) on one of the give—during my time as a Thacher student or most interesting elements of the advent of genomics, and its application to anthropology. faculty member. One of the great stories out there is a rare disI regret that I wasn’t able to make it to the ease, called Familial Mediterranean Fever, in School for my Reunion. I was between jobs which genetics recapitulates a large part of and seriously pinching every penny while I Middle Eastern history through tracking of the maintained my employment holding pattern. mutations that mediate this disease. This can As you’ve probably noticed, the e-mail address be told at the popular scientific level and is fasis new. I’m a financial analyst in the exciting cinating anthropology besides as we see that energy sector now. I work at Bonneville Power Jews and Arabs share the same mutations, inAdministration (BPA). BPA mainly markets dicating they both arise from common anceshydroelectric power and I work in the group tors. that sets the rates at which this power will be sold to the companies that then sell it to the Of course, if you would rather one on the hispublic. Exciting stuff for some exciting times. tory of HIV or rheumatoid arthritis/autoimmunity, I can do that as well. Of course, you I will be at Thacher for the Alumni Weekend in should also feel free to ignore this note if it January. I plan on playing in the basketball doesn’t fit in with your vision of The Thacher game and running on some horse trails. Please News. let me know how I can be of any help whatsoBest, ever to the School between now and then. Jane,
Take care and enjoy the remainder of the Ojai William Rigby CdeP ’70 summer. Mark A.T. Holman CdeP ’86
Dear Jane, It is always a pleasure to read your fine publication. However: “Alumni Returneth”? Certainly, alumnus returneth, and alumna returneth, but alumni return. “Alumni” is plural while “returneth” is singular. M. Lester O’Shea Father of Amy CdeP ’91 and Amanda CdeP ’94
Spring / Summer 2001 page 3
Campus Life
Gymkhana Weekend 2001
amilies and friends joined students and faculty for the Annual Big Gymkhana Weekend and Auction early in May. English and Trail Riding Events, along with Baseball, boys’ tennis, and girls’ lacrosse jump started the Weekend on Friday with victories for all of these games. Following a dinner, luminaries and music beckoned the crowds to the Brody Art Gallery that was chock-full of exceptional student artwork. The evening culminated in a Cabaret featuring the Dance Ensemble, Chorus, Chamber Singers, and the Peppermint Tulips.
competed in rescuing, jumping, holding ribbons, and weaving in and out of poles and barrels, all performed at break-neck speed against the clock. As the sun set in the west and the Community gathered in the Gym, ribbons and heavy metal were awarded to the day’s and season’s top riders: the Blue Team, captained by seniors Christy Acquistapace and Matt Brewer, accumulated the most points during the season (8975); sophomores Robert Cerda and Phoebe Barkan received silver-studded perpetual bridles for Best All-Around Horsemanship in the sophomore or junior classes; Chris GoldWhile many juniors slaved over SAT’s Saturday man earned the Top Freshman Rider Buckle morning, others readied their horses for the and Alex Herbert won the Top English Rider equine events that took center stage Saturday Buckle; Luke Myers ’03 won the Overall High afternoon. The Green, Blue, and Orange Teams Point and the Overall Day High Point Buckle.
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Overall Team Totals
Top Ten Overall Season
Plied with tri-tip, salads, grilled vegetables, fresh strawberry shortcake, and the strains of Dan Wilson and his band, guests opened their eyes and wallets to bid on a variety of Auction items. Some of the more sought-after marvels included a gourmet lunch at The Pines; a handwoven, wool saddle blanket in Thacher colors; a mustard-yellow convertible Mercedes roadster; dinner with Marvin Shagam; and a private batting lesson with Sparky Anderson, a former manager of the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. Although this year’s Auction netted over $73,000, the true success of the Auction is measured by the gracious and dynamic participation of so many parents and friends of the
Freshman Top Ten Overall Season
Big Gymkhana Top Ten
1 Blue
8975
1. Luke Myers ’03
919
1. Chris Goldman
792
1. Luke Meyers
196
2 Green
5597
2. Alex Herbert ‘02
865
2. Julia Robinson
682
2. Matt Brewer
195
3 Orange
3454
3. Ronald Wu ’02
825
3. Sara Schneider
575
3. Ronald Wu
182
4. Chris Goldman ‘04
792
4. Chris Eaton
494
4. Martin Sawyer
145
5. Matt Brewer ’01
759
5. Catherine Wittinghill
465
5. Duncan Winecoff
139
6. Libby Rauner ’02
758
6. Martin Sawyer
440
6. Chris Goldman
132
7. Julia Robinson ‘04
682
7. Claire Holstein
424
7. Christy Acquistapace
117
8. Erik Fiske ’02
586
7. Patrick Bates
424
8. Chris Eaton
112
9. Sara Schneider ‘04
575
9. Justin Torres
347
9. Libby Rauner
110
10. Duncan Winecoff ’02
563
293
9. Cara Bonewitz
110
page 4 The Thacher News
10. Kasi McClanaghan
CdeP ’91—spoke about “The Importance of Being Your Own Person.” He gave examples of how different his four sons are in personality and style, yet how successful each is in his own way. The text of The Chapel Service on Sunday was a welcome his superb talk begins on respite of reflection and musical solace from page 6. the Weeekend’s hustle-bustle current. Jim DeYoung—father of Andrew ’01 and Jamie At various venues across campus Sunday morning, hikers, shooters, and tennis players enjoyed the ideal weather and great outdoors. Brian Pidduck CdeP ’93 led a group of happy hikers up the trail that was dressed in full bloom. Since he studied geology in college, Brian pointed out various geologic points of interest, a new twist for those who’ve taken the hike with naturalists before. Dozens of Sam Eaton CdeP ’65, Whitney Livermore ’04, and student/parent teams made her father Nori Livermore CdeP ’66 won the their way to the Pratt Shootannual Alumni Pack Race ing Range to shoot .22s at flying skeet on Sunday afternoon. When the smoke Riders wait their turn to race at the Big Gymkhana cleared, Charlie Munzig ’03 and his father Tom had the most accurate record: 23 out of 25 shots. Just washes in the front parking lot in order to raise below the Forest Cooke Lawn, six parent-stu- funds for the Ojai Homeless Shelter. As the afdent racqueteer teams took to the courts for ternoon drew to a close, families said goodbye the annual Round Robin Tennis Tournament. to their students and ventured back home, In the single-elimination format, David ’01 and while the campus gradually returned to its norhis father Dave Babbott won the match for the mal pace. e second year in a row. School. The Spring Hootenanny at the Mulligans’ later on that evening drew musicians, singers, and some crooners, and resulted in immeasurable embarrassment for students whose parents nearly recalled words and melodies of their favorite hits from the sixties and earlier.
A Sunday brunch of Eggs Benedict, omelet bar, carved ham, and roast beef beckoned to the Community. The Senior Class offered car
The Pratt Trapshoot Area hosted many parentstudent sharp-shooter teams
Freshman MacKenna Chase shares the limelight with Brigid McCarthy, daughter of magazine editor Jane McCarthy
This Mercedes-Benz was donated to the Parents’ Auction and purchased by a grandparent for tootling around Ventura Spring/Summer 2000 page 5
Campus Life
Gymkhana Gymkhana Weekend The Importance of Being Your Own Person: Taking Control of Your Life
chose this topic because I can’t think of anything that has more relevance in today’s society. Mr. Mulligan has assured me I have two hours to do the topic justice! I feel like I will be doing my own Senior Exhibition, but don’t let me know if I pass or fail. I will speak to the students, but I invite all of you to listen in because what I am saying to them applies to all of us.
I
I graduated from an East Coast boarding school 40 years ago. Some who knew me back then might find it amazing that I stand before you today. I was what we call a “late bloomer.” I was a little shaver who failed my driver’s license test because I slipped off the phone books I was sitting on, while palming the wheel to carve a turn and hit a tree. While I took unbelievable flack from my friends for having failed the exam and for being such a short drink of water, I persevered and finally got my license. I must admit that I switched from sitting on phone books to air cushions and had a lot of fun in the process while eventually overcoming what was one of life’s early embarrassments and challenges. And I did fi-
nally grow into the fine physical specimen you see before you today! As much as I value my boarding school years, I can assure you that those of you who have had the good fortune to be part of the Thacher environment and experience, only know what a unique School this really is and how fortunate we all have been to be part of it. Just consider where we are this morning. What could page 6 The Thacher News
be a more beautiful and inspirational setting. I was with a Thacher graduate of 1991 Friday afternoon who was back with his girlfriend who attended an Eastern prep school and was bringing her up here to see the sunset. He simply said to me. “Mr. De, I knew Thacher was a special place when I was here. I just appreciate and understand that a lot more now.”
What I offer you today is my perspective and a few of the experiences Penny, my wife, and I have survived during 30-plus years of marriage and raising four boys with very different personalities, of whom the oldest Jamie, and youngest, Andrew—oops, I mean Prince—have gone to Thacher. We salute Thacher’s teachers and staff for your forebearance, compassion, and sense of humor in taking such wonderful care of two of our four boys and helping them develop and grow.
by James W. DeYoung
tic but you own your profile, despite the fact that you may have inherited some questionable family traits or physical characteristics! Decide what is important to you. Find a passion and envelop it. You have a choice and it is your decision, no one else’s. Don’t expect someone else to make that choice for you. Yes, parents and teachers can provide input, but, ultimately, it is all about stepping up and being accountable for your decisions and living with the consequences. And, we as parents need to remember what being a child is all about. It is all too easy for us to be overly critical of our children. Have we forgotten what “cut ups” we were as kids and how critical we were of our own parents as we were growing up? I think you students would agree that you need your space and our respect. We shouldn’t be afraid to let you struggle or even fail. We as adults have made that trek, and most of us have survived! That’s what can make life exhilarating.
My message today consists of three points: Making your own path in life and its importance; respecting others, their feelings, and their thoughts; and treating failure as oppor- Parents, we need to listen and respect what tunity. teachers and administrators tell us and not be all over them like hot sauce when we disagree Life involves making or don’t think they know what they are talking tough choices and taking about. Maybe, just maybe, they have more excontrol of your life. It is a perience in these matters than we do and, after process of growth, strug- all, by sending our kids to schools like Thacher, gle, and hopefully we have asked these institutions to take on the evolvement. All of us responsibility of developing and preparing our here today are challenged children for life’s many challenges. We can in this regard. Yes! We learn from these kids, too, and improve the are of different ages but quality of our own lives and have a lot of fun we all have our personal in the process. and family issues and they never go away. We I think a few stories might be of interest. Two have to deal with them of them involve our two oldest sons who have daily. The transition of been inspirations to me. These stories are all responsibility and power about having an idea, a passion to stay the from one generation to course, while persevering in the face of obstaanother requires careful cles that come along. Their tenacity is a conthought and appropriate stant reminder to me that you can’t have sensitivity. It can be diffi- enough perseverance in pursuing what you cult and cause a lot of want to do with your life. stress within families. Between his sophomore and junior year in colLook at your parents and how they are dealing lege, our oldest son, Jamie, came up with a dewith different personal issues. Are they in cus- sign idea for the Chicago Bulls. It was a tody of their lives, individually and collec- stylized “3” shaped as bulls’ horns symbolizing tively? Are they having any fun? You have the the illustrious team’s quest for their first 3-peat ability to dictate your own destiny and you are world championship. Jamie telephoned me and the only person alive who has the sole custody said, “I’m in great shape Dad, but I may need of your life. You are not your brother or sister some financial help as we move forward.” I or your Mom or Dad. You may have your figured a few hats and t-shirts would be prograndmother’s temper or your grandfather’s duced and that would be it.
Not so fast, however. Jamie was working as an intern at the NBC TV affiliate in Chicago for the summer. Jamie had decided to get a peddler’s license and try selling a few of his hats at Bulls playoff games outside the stadium. He also mentioned that some of the broadcasters at WMAQ had taken an interest in what he was doing and that he was going to give them some hats. At the first game, Jamie decided to sell some hats; an anchor giving highlights from the game, capped off his report by putting on a hat and proclaiming that he wanted to be the first to introduce the Bulls 3-peat world championship hat. I looked at Penny in disbelief! “That’s Jamie’s hat!” The next morning the phone at our house started ringing off the hook. NBC had been deluged with phone calls wanting Jamie’s hat, and NBC had given all the callers our home number!! People were calling and wanting dozens of hats. I turned to Jamie and said how many hats do you have? He said, “I am all out.” I said, “You have to be kidding!” He said, “No, but no problem. Let’s swing into action, Dad!” All I can tell you is that the next five or six weeks were memorable. Jamie received a “cease and desist” order from the NBA and managed to hire a guy who looked like a bodyguard and professed to be an embroidery expert. I did manage to ask that individual for references and cracked up when he gave me Prince and Michael Jackson. Even though his references were over the top, he was hired. The whole family worked for Jamie. It was an incredible experience! We did not have e-mail then, so we had to communicate by phone and fax. “Dad, be prepared to talk about a line of credit tonight. Where do we stand on trademark protection? I want your comments on what I think our A/P and A/R policies should be. I have hired a lawyer, Paul Brown. He actually knows you, Dad, and says he likes you! The NBA has called and wants to have a discussion. Don’t worry. Paul and I have everything under control.” And so on. I would be invited as a non-speaking participant to sit in on conference calls with the NBA; get it? A non-speaking participant!!! Do you know how difficult that was for me? “HEY MULLIE, AM I IN MY SECOND HOUR YET?”
them he had a great design, had done his research on potential trademark infringement— there was none—and was going to produce as many hats as he could. And when he ran out of product, he found a way to get more, through talking a major producer and distributor of hats (they worked with MLB) to take on his production, all on his own. The NBA knew they had a battle on their hands and also had no case against Jamie. They never took him to court. They just tried to slow him down because he was selling so much: over 50,000 hats and 30,000 t-shirts. He earned the NBA’s respect and he earned mine. It was a wonderful experience and I’m frank to say, I learned a lot from my own 19year-old son. And the best part: his success didn’t go to his head, even though he had his moments! Ask his brothers!! What an amazing experience! Jamie learned more about business in those five weeks than some people learn in a lifetime, and I learned a lot with him and from him. Just another example of following your passion, believing in yourself, and going for it!! I might add that Jamie is now applying that same tenacity in working for a wireless software infrastructure company.
Another example of following one’s passion involves our son Peter, who is now playing professional baseball. From the time he was a little kid, he wanted to play baseball. Mom, Dad, and Peter recognized that a good education comes first, which he received at both Deerfield and Brown. He loves baseball and is having a fabulous experience playing and learning a lot about life in the process. He doesn’t want to be in a position, looking back years from now, wondering what it might have been like to play professionally. Baseball has taught Peter a lot about disappointment, and it has been a humbling experience. In baseball, people fail more than they succeed. Think about this statistic. A batter who hits .400 for the season may eventually make the Hall of Fame, but he still failed 60% of the time. And how many players hit .400? What Peter has learned is that it’s not failure that matters, but what you do after you fail that defines who you are. Failures are common and they do not qualify as the final measure of a person. As Madonna, one of What I learned in those conference calls was the great artists of the last millennium has said interesting. Jamie’s lawyer didn’t say much ei- so eloquently, “I get up again, over and over.” ther. Jamie did most of the talking, and he said and asked for things that I think most experi- Failure and pain define life. Think of it in perenced adults would have not broached because sonal terms and see if you agree. Dealing with we would know they would have no chance a bad grade, learning to get along with a of happening. That’s when I realized youth has teacher who you don’t think is being fair, getno boundaries. I, as the father, really learned a ting “dissed” by a boy/girl friend, turning lot from the whole situation. I think it em- around a losing situation in a game, dealing boldened me to be even tougher on issues of with a serious health issue, getting fired, losing importance to me. In Jamie’s case, he wasn’t a loved one. These are all life’s challenges. long on experience at that point. He just went Dealing with them and getting through them for it. And why not! The NBA thought they are growth experiences. This is what life is all could intimidate a 19-year-old kid. Jamie had about. Sort out your priorities to give yourself the courage to stand up to the NBA and tell the chance to pursue what you really want to
do. And remember, enjoying life is paramount. It also is not getting any easier to manage our lives to allow us to pursue what is really important to us. It places a premium on following our passion and not letting anything deter us. I have chosen to tell stories about my family members, but inspiration can be found in many places. I have focused on two of our sons, Jamie and Peter, not because they are more special than Wick, our third son or Andrew and not because I am an overly proud father, though I am proud. I chose to tell you about Jamie and Peter because I think their stories do illustrate some important lessons for enjoying and pursuing a productive life while you are young. I think it is important that you see that what you do, regardless of your young age, matters in this world. You have influence on the people around you, on your peers, on children younger than you, and yes on people like me, people older than you. We, the adults in this Outdoor Chapel, the faculty, the administrators, and the parents are watching you. Yes, we watch you to make sure you do not cause too much trouble, to make sure you do your homework, and to make sure you write your thank you notes when you should. I knew you would like that one! But we also watch you in order to learn from you, in order to learn with you, in order to see the world a little differently than we have through your own eyes. You help us, indeed, sometimes you force us to see possibilities for you, for us, for our world. We all can learn from a number of different sources, young and old. We should never dismiss someone for their age, appearance, or background. Respond to people for the quality of their thoughts and respect their feelings. I think, ultimately, what I want you to understand is that life does not officially begin after school gets out, after you graduate from Thacher, college or professional/graduate school. Your life has begun. Your thoughts and actions are important. This world is what we make it. This world is what you make it. As young men, Jamie and Peter, showed initiative, overcame challenges and have persevered through not being afraid of failure. They contributed, and in watching them do so, it has helped me see youth differently and to see the world differently. Get out there. Make a difference. Contribute and reflect on your contributions. Identify people in your own lives who offer inspiration and examples of the kinds of people you want to be! Ask yourself at the end of each day, “Is the world a better place for having had me in it and for what I have contributed to it?” I hope so. Thank you very much. e
Spring / Summer 2001 page 7
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The Chamber Singers lead “America the Beautiful”
Senior Exhibitions ow seven years in existence and stronger than ever, the presentation of Senior Exhibitions heralded the conclusion of this year’s academics. During a long weekend late in April, the entire community attended presentations given by seniors on their chosen field of study, a topic they delved into and digested in order to become an expert on a multifaceted/multi-disciplinary subject. Throughout the previous year, seniors met various deadlines for research, organization, and development in order to be sufficiently prepared for this celebration of their independent academic study. Topics ranged from The Evolution of the Revolution in Cuba to Soul Food, from the Re-Introduction of Wolves in Wyoming to the History and Current Debate on the Death Penalty in Texas, to name a few. (The complete list of topics can be found on page 17.)
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Brothers Robert CdeP ’99 and Ted Grether ’01 following graduation
page 8 The Thacher News
Presenters employed a variety of audio-visuals to enhance their talks including PowerPoint, a traditional Japanese kimono, incense, live music, and Chinese woks. Next year’s seniors are already pondering their topics and scope of research needed to begin their Exhibitions. This has become one of Thacher’s strongest and most compelling programs in terms of involving the entire community and offering an excellent opportunity for students to use all aspects of learning in order to excel.
Advanced Placement Exams Just as seniors began to rest on the laurels of their Senior Exhibition presentations, two weeks of Advanced Placement Exams took place. Two-hundred-ninety-six exams were administered in 19 different disciplines to 22 sophomores, three-quarters of the juniors, and all but three of the seniors. Local parents came to the School’s rescue by helping to proctor the three- to six-hour exams. For most subjects, students who received AP grades of four or five on a five-point scale earn college credit units, thereby achieving advanced placement standings at college. Very impressive overall results arrived in July: 82 (28%) of the scores were fives, and 111 (38%) were fours; therefore, nearly two-thirds of the exams given resulted in advanced standings for these students.
California, sailing off the coast, hiking transSierra trails, clearing non-native brush species from Santa Cruz Island and a Rincon ranch, and horse packing though the Sespe are a sampling of this year’s trips. Michael Mulligan’s group had a little more adventure than they bargained for when three of their eight horses fell ill (tainted water was the likely cause) and fell off the steep trail through rough terrain and brush. Thanks to the quick thinking of several senior boys and Mully, the horses were rescued, patched up, and medicated for the balance of their trip—albeit, more slowly—on the Red Reef Trail. As weary campers returned to campus, ragged muscles were soothed, body-tingling showers were savored, and the last Sierra Cup was cleaned and stowed. Tales started to emerge about hand axing a fallen tree in order to bypass their horse trail, and swimming horses through the Sespe. Thacher camping always results in great adventure.
Vespers
On the eve of Memorial Day, students and faculty met at the Outdoor Chapel for the Head of School’s traditional reading of the names of the Thacher students who died while fighting wars for America. The group then returned to the Auditorium for a talk entitled “Free Donuts, ” given by Campaign Director Brian Driscoll. He spoke of how this senior class seemed “a little too cocky” as freshmen, but was infused at the beginning of the sophomore year with people who strengthened Chorus and Extra-Day Trips the Chamber Singers, Debate Society, the OutThe entire Community spent the last week door Program, Tennis, Basketball, Web assisof May on Extra-Day Trips throughout tance, and even started a Surfing Club. He the western States. Kayaking in Northern pointed out that even though the parents of
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this senior class thanks the School for what it’s done for these students, the seniors owe their parents “a giant THANK YOU for this experience, and for the many ways their support has brought” these students to where they are today.
Mulholland, Smitha Reddy, Kevin Schmidt, Anthea Tjuanakis, Emma White, and Lee Wittlinger; elected this year, their Junior year: Stephanie Hubbard, Youna Kim, and Claire Milligan.
All-School Banquet
Senior Banquet
After a few days of review, students took final exams during the last week of school and then began packing up their rooms. The entire Community convened on the Pergola for the All-School Banquet, the one time of the year when excellence in academics, athletics, and community service are awarded. As the sun
The eve of Commencement activities began with a Reception on the Head’s Lawn for seniors and their families and friends. They then met under the big-top on the Forest Cooke Lawn for the Senior Banquet. The keynote speaker, Michael Greene CdeP ’62, was introduced by his son, senior Max Greene. Sure to become a new tradition, Max shared some insider information about his father’s career at Thacher in a most amusing manner. Nikki Silverman with Tutt Bowl Michael A. Green CdeP ’62 took the stage and offered comments about what has and concern for others. This year’s recipients were remained the same and what has Lauren Cerre, Tara Desjardins, and Erica changed since his time at Thacher; Reynolds. he also gave a dozen points of advice for the graduating class. The speech’s text This year’s School Chair, Caitlin Olson-Mulin its entirety begins on page 12. Mr. Mulli- holland, was lauded for consistently leading gan then presented a plaque to Betsy and John the School in an ethical, wise, dignified, and Grether (parents of Robert CdeP ’99, Ted ’01, just manner, both in and out of the classroom. and Russell ’03) in recognition of their tireless She displayed fundamental compassion for all and extensive service as Presidents of Thacher’s community members, from freshmen to the most senior faculty members to each and every Parents’ Association. member of the kitchen and maintenance staff. The newest members of the Cum Laude Soci- The final two Awards for the evening were The ety were introduced for the benefit of their par- Charles L. Tutt Silver Bowl for Integrity and ents just before the major Awards of the evening Responsibility and The Thacher Cup. In giving were presented. The Lettermen’s Club Perpet- the Tutt Bowl to Thacher in 1963, Mrs. Tutt ual Trophy, believed by some to recognize the stressed “the qualities of character not always Senior Class’s best male athlete, actually hon- recognized in the traditional school-typed ors that athlete with a commitment to excellence, awards.” She spoke not primarily of leaderteamwork, ability to elevate the play of others, ship, but of integrity and responsibility, of forand sportsmanship. This year’s winner was titude in the face of adversity, and of Michael Back. The Elizabeth Helms Adams Per- consideration for others as traits that she had p e t u a l S p o r t s - always admired in her husband (Charles L. woman Perpetual Tutt CdeP ’01) and which she thought a school Trophy comments should be proud of in its students. In awarding the same charac- this Bowl to Nicole Silverman, Michael Mulliteristics for females; gan spoke of the “quiet though strong beacon this year the Award of moral integrity and personal courage was given to Eliza- throughout her four years at Thacher. In the beth Sanseau. The parent’s statement accompanying [Nicole’s] apNewton K. Chase plication to the School, her mother wrote: “she Community Service has taught me to see not only with my eyes, Award is given to but [also] with my heart…with a heart full of those students who, love and a contagious smile, she transforms through volunteer the ordinary into something far richer and work in the com- much more alive.” m u n i t y, have demonstrated un- Finally, The Thacher Cup was presented to two selfish interest in seniors: Eric Butts and Hannah Carney. Michael spoke of Eric’s embodiment of “the Thacher spirit. He is unPhoebe Barkan ’03 won the flappably honest, unfailingly fair, Jesse Kahle Horse Camping Award and unfalteringly honorable. His
dipped below the horizon, amid the scent of the pepper and eucalyptus trees, the freshmen served dinner before this year’s accomplishments were lauded. Some of the most noteworthy moments were the presentations of the Marvin Shagam Award to junior Stephanie Hubbard and the introduction of the new Cum Laude Society members. The Cum Laude Society rewards and commends those students who not only have excellence, justice, and honor at their core, but have also maintained the very highest level of academic achievement throughout each year of their tenure at Thacher. Elected in May of their Junior year: Mary Ann Bronson and Brian Kelly; joining them and elected in their Senior year: Hannah Carney, Meredith Flannery, Katie Harmon, Addie Hearst, Emmett Hopkins, Caitlin Olson-
Spring / Summer 2001 page 9
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Eric Butts holds The Thacher Cup award
commitment to community service has been a four-year endeavor. His work as a Prefect has capped his service to others. Always a major contributor in sports, his passion for athletics never overshadowed his respect for his teammates, nor his competitors...this young man has left a legacy of excellence in the academic realm, as well. His performance in various subjects is due to his native intellect, curious nature, and a willingness to work hard with unflagging application to his innate ability a genuine intellectual curiosity, and an intense sense of competition that drives him to conquer even the most challenging subjects.” Hannah Carney made an impression on the Thacher Community as being “gracious, smart, humble, funny, and kind…[one who] maintained a remarkable academic record throughout her three years here, even as she has extended herself well beyond the confines of the classroom. Musician, thespian, dancer, rider, and eager sportswoman, this student has taken full advantage of every opportunity offered to try new things, always committing herself fully and spiritedly to every endeavor. Typical of the lifelong learner, [she] pursues her interests out of a genuine passion for ideas, as well as a keen desire to explore what life offers up as perplexing, intriguing, or even initially troubling.” Michael closed the evening with a speech about how this Senior Class truly “made this year the best year yet,” from many perspectives: leadership from the seniors, strong comments and grades, excellent Senior Exhibitions, enthusiastic campers, many top horsemen and A and B Campers, astounding growth in visual and performing arts, several championship teams, impressive college acceptances, and being named one of the top national boarding schools by US News and World Report. page 10 The Thacher News
Commencement Day Despite drippy, cold conditions on Saturday morning, smiles and attitudes ran high as seniors, their families and guests, and faculty gathered under the tent on Hannah Carney shared The Thacher Cup award with the Forest Cooke Lawn for the Bac- Eric Butts calaureate Service. Alan Dachs, father of senior Emily, introduced the keynote speaker, graduate and the personal qualities that will, Dr. Jay Levy, AIDS researcher at UCSF. The hopefully, develop in these young people’s lives complete text of Mr. Dachs’ introduction and in the years to come. Greg Haggard led the singing of “America the Beautiful,” followed Dr. Levy’s speech begins on page 14. by thunderous applause and shouts of glee for To resounding applause and the sounds of Pur- the newest graduates of Casa de Piedra. e cell’s “Trumpet Voluntary,” the seniors walked two by two, led by Class Marshals Elizabeth Sanseau and Matty Wilson. Before presenting diplomas to the graduates, Mr. Mulligan read a brief accolade about the unique contributions to the School of each
Mary Ann Bronson recited Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese” at the Commencement Service
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Awards Perpetual Sportsmanship Award Michael Back ’01
The Nash Robbins Short Story Award Meredith Walker ’01
Elizabeth Helms-Adams Perpetual Sportswoman Award Elizabeth Sanseau ’01
The Language Prize Emmett Hopkins ’01
The Newton K. Chase Community Service Award Lauren Cerre ’01 Tara Desjardins ’01 Erica Reynolds ’01 The Thacher Cup Eric Butts ’01 Hannah Carney ’01 The Charles L. Tutt Silver Bowl for Integrity and Responsibility Nicole Silverman ’01 School Chair Award Caitlin Olson-Mulholland ’01 The Edward R. Spaulding Tennis Cup Timothy Stenovec ’02 The George Beckwith Gymkhana Trophy (Blue Team) Christy Acquistapace ’01 Matt Brewer ’01
The Morgan Ward Prize for Mathematics Kevin Schmidt ’01 The Physics Prize Meredith Flannery ’01 Kevin Schmidt ’01 The Chemistry Prize Claire Milligan ’02 The Environmental Science Prize Brian Kelly ’01 The Rensselaer Polytech Institute Award Claire Milligan ’02 The History Prize Chris Brown ’01 The Darah Corbett, Jr., Studio Art Prize Tara Desjardins ’01 Rhode Island School of Design Award Anthea Tjuanakis ’01
The Bissell Gymkhana Trophy Luke Myers ’03
The Agnes M. Lord Music Award Esther Guzman ’01
The Vaquero Cup Matt Brewer ’01
The Marcus Hele Dall Photography Award Jennifer Bowie ’01
The Charles Pratt Trapshoot Plate Chris Brown ’01
The Harry Llewellyn Bixby Dramatic Cup Chris Bonewitz ’01
Jesse Kahle Horse Camping Award Phoebe Barkan ’03
The Class of 2000 Dance Award Katie Harmon ’01
Best Camper Award Alden Blair ’01
The Eric Bechtel Dachs Technical Theatre Prize Kevin Schmidt ’01
The Marvin H. Shagam Award Stephanie Hubbard ’02
The Munro Palmer Public Speaking and Debate Award Chris Bonewitz ’01 Canyon Cody ’01
The Junior English Award Stephanie Hubbard ’02 The Jack Boyd English Award Brian Kelly ’01
The Hollister Wheaton Trapshoot Award Thomas A. Munzig and son Charles ’03 (23 out of 25)
The William Bishop Nixon Poetry Prize Katie Harmon ’01
Spring / Summer 2001 page 11
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Senior Banquet Address A Thacher Education Withstands the Test of Time
by Michael A. Greene CdeP ’62
As long as I can remember I was drinking out of Thacher-imprinted Sierra Cups, hearing about Gymkhanas, and accompanying my father to Thacher Reunions. This was not some sort of lifelong propaganda to sway me to Thacher, but rather a reflection of how much Thacher affected my father and, in turn, my family. My father, Michael Alan Greene, graduated from Thacher in 1962. I have heard stories about my dad’s time at this School, but it was not until yesterday, when I received an e-mail that included excerpts from his high school yearbooks, that I truly felt like I could picture my father at Thacher. Mr. Lamb, a wonderful man who I had the pleasure of knowing my freshmen year, wrote this about my father: Mike has enjoyed a good first year at Thacher. Mike has maintained a good to fair average in spite of his frequent predictions that all is lost and that he is momentarily about to flunk out of School. Mike’s conduct record is somewhat spotty; his room, for instance, is not invariably the cleanest and he has only been on the Privilege List once during the second semester. So, evidently, he’s feeling very much at home now. But, he has been in no serious trouble and he seems to rebound after minor setbacks. After reading this I thought, I have always known my dad to be clean and organized; I suppose there is hope for me yet. Then I read what Mr. Lamb said in the yearbook for my dad’s senior year in 1962: “The screams that you hear from the lower level of the Dodge Annex aren’t the result of a fight—it’s Mr. Miller pounding on Mike Greene’s wall. You see, through some mistake, they put Mike, who has a big and loud hi-fi set, in the room next to Mr. Miller’s apartment. It seems that the walls are not very thick and when the strains of “Exodus to Jazz” or some weird rock-and-roll record reaches a certain level, Mr. Miller becomes rather perturbed. The problem is he can’t think.” Well this seems rather familiar, I thought, as I remembered how, at the beginning of my senior year, I was put above Mr. Curwen’s house, and was subject to many threats of my stereo being taken away. I then moved to the third floor, far enough away from faculty, I thought, that I could listen to my music, but during the year I have had Mr. Wales tell me repeatedly to “turn down the hi-fi.” The parallels that I was able to draw from the write-ups of my father were comforting and inspirational, as my father has been my hero and role model throughout my life. I hope that if these parallels are any measure of similarity, then I will be happy to embark on an amazing life. My father, upon leaving Thacher, attended UC Berkeley, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s, then he went off to USC, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. Since then, my father has been a litigater for Greenberg, Glusker, Fields, Claman, Machtinger, and Kinsella, a law firm in Century City. I have grown up watching my dad have a passion for life, his work, his family, and this School, and it is my immense and heartfelt pleasure to introduce my father, Michael Alan Greene, class of 1962. —Maxwell Andrew Greene ’01
page 12 The Thacher News
am honored to be asked to speak to you this evening. When I received a message that Mr. Mulligan was trying to reach me, my heart dropped. I had received calls from him in the past and had reason to feel as I did. Marshaling a modicum of parental bravery, I called him back.To my great relief, Michael immediately volunteered that the call was not to report some problem with my son.
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So, here we are, the night before you graduate, the night before you end a period of incredible growth and begin a new one, and it’s special for me because I am the exceedingly proud father of a graduating senior and because 39 years ago tomorrow was when I graduated from Thacher and because I have a deep attachment to this place. It is especially thrilling for me when I visit Thacher to see those who were here when I was. Some of them are still active in teaching; others are not, but it is always a privilege for me to see Marvin Shagam, Margaret and Jack Huyler, Jesse Kahle, and Elizabeth McDougal. I hope that when you visit Thacher in the years to come, you will be able to see some of the people who were part of your life here. When I graduated from Thacher, I did not do so in a blaze of glory. My grades were okay—not great. I had played many sports but never rose beyond the JV level. I received no honors of any kind at graduation. But like each of you, I had something very valuable. I knew how to ride and care for a horse; I was at home in the outdoors; and I had learned to live in a community that taught me self-reliance and a wealth of personal values that have guided me well in my life. I confess, however, that not all of this was apparent at the time as I was focused on the freedom that awaited me, the graduation parties that were to begin, and the wonders of a co-educational existence that had only been available at the three dances per year, the few vacations, and the summers. Thacher in the late fifties and early sixties was narrower than it is today. Besides being boys only, our population was half the size and far less diverse than it is now; our faculty was smaller, our rules stricter, and our classes more traditional and less sophisticated. But many things remain the same and each of you will take with you a host of invaluable personal qualities that were nurtured and encour-
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aged by your experience in this place. You lived in a community that has a true honor code, one where people respect each other and their property, and where you can trust the honor of those around you. You have learned that the worth of achievement is tempered by how you got there. You have learned the value of hard work, of friendship and good manners. You have developed an understanding far deeper than you now realize of the importance of truth, fairness, and kindness. You have experienced the true benefits of working in a group and helping and being helped by others.
usually counter-productive. Most difficulties can be solved and you’ll always get more out of others by giving them dignity, rather than pushing them into a corner.
First, maintain your own sense of what is right, what is fair, and how you ought to treat others. Avoid sinking to someone else’s level.
Your days are short here; this is the last of your springs.
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Fourth, try to understand that good experiences do not come without effort. If a college class or a task at work seems boring, or a person you encounter seems dull—work to discover what’s interesting. You will often be surprised.
Fifth, when choosing a career, find something that excites you—that stimulates you—that These are some of the things Thacher has nur- continues to give you opportunities for inteltured in you, and as you go on to the next ad- lectual growth and development of knowledge. venture in your life, I hope you’ll recognize the These things are far more valuable and better measures of success than how much money worth of what you have experienced here. you are making. Less than two weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in one of the Extra-Day Trips— Sixth, give something back, whether that’s doan invitation graciously extended to me by my nating your money or your time, participating son. I would like to share a little of that with in your community, or devoting efforts to helpyou. First, although since leaving Thacher in ing those less fortunate. 1962 I have continued to be involved in horses and camping, I had not been on a horsepack Seventh, always choose to act with honor, fairtrip since my senior year. I had strong memo- ness, kindness, and truth. These things will ries of the trips from my Thacher years. I had make you smile inside and give richness to visual images of the place in the Sespe where those around you. we swam our horses, the beauty of the high mountain meadows off the Johnson Ridge, and Eighth, never be reluctant to ask a question, the smell of pines in the Mutau and Pine suggest an idea—even if it seems hair Mountain. What I had not remembered was brained—and never be reluctant to say, “I the difficulty of riding on rock falls, ascending don’t know” or “I was wrong.” and descending incredibly steep trails, the daunting nature of crossing and re-crossing the Ninth, develop and display good judgment. river while leading a pack animal with desires Education, knowledge, and intelligence are seto drink longer or go deeper than your own verely compromised without sound judgment. horse. I had forgotten the fatigue after a sevenhour ride when camp has to be set up and the Tenth, try to look at life and each of its expehorses cared for, the constant possibility that riences from the perspective of the glass as something could go wrong. But, most of all, I being half full. Attitude has a lot to do with had forgotten the extraordinary skill, re- the quality of an experience. silience, and fortitude of Thacher students in approaching and mastering the difficulties in- Eleventh, stay in touch with Thacher, attend herent in the experience. It is no wonder that I your Reunions, and come visit. It is a special credit Thacher with teaching me life skills and place and maybe you’ll be fortunate as I have with giving me a personal reservoir of courage, been to have one of your children attend confidence, and resilience to help me through Thacher. those unexpected bumps in the road that we all travel. Each of you has that same reservoir to Lastly, have a good sense of humor and don’t be afraid to be silly or even corny. It makes life draw from. much more fun. Now, graduation speeches are supposed to contain some degree of advice for the gradu- I would like to close with a quote from Adlai ating seniors. Here’s mine and I hope some of Stevenson, which Max sent to me and which seems appropriate for this occasion: it will be helpful to you.
Second, try to remember that each person you deal with is special and the faults he or she has might well have been your own given a different twist of fate. Third, avoid being tempted by anger when things don’t go right. It is rarely helpful, and is
And now in the serenity and quiet of this lovely place, touch the depths of truth, feel the hem of heaven. You will go away with old, good friends. And don’t forget when you leave, why you came. —Adlai Stevenson, What I Think, 1954
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Spring / Summer 2001 page 13
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Baccalaureate Address Taking Chances
by Jay A. Levy, M.D.
I would like to thank Michael Mulligan for giving me the opportunity to introduce our Baccalaureate speaker, Dr. Jay Levy. I would also like to thank our daughter, Emily, who, like her mother, puts others’ welfare consistently above her own, and who graciously suggested I accept Michael Mulligan’s offer. Let me say right from the beginning, I love the scientific mind. It is like no other adult mind in its marriage of sophisticated analysis and childlike wonder at the world and the way it works. Picasso is reported to have said it took him a lifetime to learn to paint like a child. Great works, whether in art or science, in business or literature, almost always start with a question so free of ambiguity and devoid of inhibition, that it sounds as though a child dreamed it. Newton wanted to know why the apple fell to Earth rather than aimlessly floating. Albert Einstein wanted to know if God was playing dice with the Universe. Today’s speaker has noted that some men and women infected with HIV are long-term, symptom-free survivors. Why, he wanted to know. These questions and thousands of others like them, have produced such results as Newton’s laws of gravity, Einstein’s general theory of relativity, and possibly some day, Dr. Levy’s vaccine for AIDS. I also admire scientists because they have courage. Because you have a Thacher education, you are familiar with the scientific method, and therefore, you know that scientists must possess the intellectual integrity, discipline, and courage to vigorously question their own thinking. Imagine coming up with a revolutionary idea, submitting it to years of tests and retests, publishing your findings, and, in effect, asking scientists from around the world to find potentially fatal flaws in what might be your life’s work. I call that undaunted courage of an unusual kind. But the best scientists are also educators because they know that the seemingly simple, but far from easy, job of teaching requires mastery of their fields. In turn, their mastery further enhances their research results, thereby improving the entire scientific enterprise. Some scientists also feel the responsibility to nurture and to develop the next generation of researchers to take up the work of ever expanding our knowledge. We call these people mentors. Our speaker today fills all three roles—scientist, educator, and mentor. A sort of academic hat-trick, if you will. Dr. Levy’s scientific research focuses on the field of AIDS and cancer research. In 1983, right around the time you were born, Dr. Levy and his team co-discovered the AIDS virus. Since then, he has traveled all over the world lecturing and working with local authorities to combat AIDS. He and his researchers are currently working on new approaches to AIDS theory directed at the development of an AIDS vaccine. Dr. Levy is also a Professor of Medicine at the University of California Medical School in San Francisco, where he is known for his dedication to educating and mentoring some of the country’s most promising medical students. He received his own medical training at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wesleyan University. He is a winner of both Fulbright and French Government fellowships and is a recipient of his alma mater’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Science. In addition to numerous scientific papers, Dr. Levy has also published an article describing his long-term friendship and philosophical discussions with Irish writer Samuel Beckett. —Alan M. Dachs page 14 The Thacher News
hank you, Alan, and to the Class of 2001, congratulations. You have completed an important step in your education and apparently “survival” at Thacher carries a great deal of merit. Frankly, I have to admit I did not know very much about The Thacher School until I met the Dachs family and its numerous fine graduates—Eric and Kate, Abby, and in the future, Michael. Today, it is a special pleasure to speak at Emily’s graduation.
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Reading your webpage and Leroy Makepeace’s book on Sherman Day Thacher gave me some insight about the founding father. He started the School in 1889 and his grandson, Nick Thacher, graduated in 1963. Between those 74 years, one major achievement appears to be the movement spearheaded by his grandson to name the Thacher teams, the Toads. I’m sure you have had comical and probably disparaging comments about this mascot but I agree that this animal reflects important qualities of life: humility and quiet persistence. I am somewhat saved from lecturing to you about what an education should accomplish since it’s part of the Thacher Mission: “to train young people to live their greatest good and for the greatest good of others in an increasingly diverse society and ever-changing world.” The latter is certainly a reality that we must appreciate. Back in Sherman Thacher’s day—or even in mine, when I took my first airplane trip at age 20—globalization as we now know it would not have been imagined. This globalization today readily provides not only adventures in many different parts of the globe, but the consequences of those travels such as the worldwide spread of infectious diseases. The well-known French writer and philosopher Jean Cocteau said, “I don’t need to see the world. I can sit outside my café in Paris and watch the world go around me.” While in one sense, Cocteau’s words about the universality of experience may have been right for him; in truth, things are different today. We cannot expect to see the world by sitting still and waiting for something to happen. We must venture forth, take advantage of given opportunities and be aware of the impact of our actions on others. Like throwing a pebble into a pond where the spreading ripples have a down-stream effect, similarly, your actions can affect many without your knowing it. Well, I don’t intend to give you advice for your future but in recounting today some of my experiences, perhaps some insights will come forth. The only time that I ever received advice that proved predictive was during my third year at Wesleyan. I visited Sigmund Neumann, head of the government department, to tell him my dual interest in international affairs and medicine. I wondered whether I should go into the diplomatic corps or go to medical school. He turned to me and asked, “Are you really interested in medicine?” When I said “yes,” he advised, “Get your medical degree but keep international affairs as your hobby. One day, who knows, your hobby may become your profession.” How true that turned out to be with the present challenge of AIDS and its unfortunate international impact. Through my experiences in high school, college, medical school, and further training in the US and abroad, four major principles have guided me: First, I take seriously the satirist C.N. Parkinson’s fourth law: Energy expended in one direction comes back in another direction. More about that later.
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cancer journals—something, unfortunately, I believe will not happen as often now with Internet access and libraries shrinking in their receipt of printed journals. This paper suggested that viruses lay hidden inside cells and eventually gave rise to cancer. Similar to what we know is involved in bacteria producing the toxins responsible for whooping cough and for their resistance to antibiotics, these viruses can change the nature of organisms to take on different characteristics, which could assure their survival. I assumed, in some cases, these viruses could change the cells they inhabit into cancer cells.
My second principle is not to let the opinion of one individual put you off course and certainly not to make a decision out of desperation. This canon might be further expanded and easily accessible, and the other where the door is closed and takes energy to open. I have tended to go after the latter. It is most challenging and gives me a greater satisfaction to accomplish the feat I was pursuing. I also believe that approach has helped direct me towards career goals that I might not otherwise have had. “No” as an answer is not an absolute. My philosophy has been to challenge the “no” and only if several attempts have failed, do I accept that answer. In many situations such as with proposals written or books submitted, you will face discouraging rejections. But if you are passionate about your ideas and have the confidence in your work, you will eventually convince someone of its merit. I am reminded of Samuel Beckett’s experiences with his much-celebrated play, Waiting for Godot. This piece, which won Beckett the Nobel Prize, was sent to over 20 producers before it was finally accepted and performed. My third principle reminds me that discoveries are often made by serendipity (pure chance) but require a “prepared mind.” Perhaps you have heard the classic story of Alexander Fleming who observed the lack of bacteria growth on a culture plate, which had become contaminated with fungus. Instead of discarding the plate, as most scientists in his generation would have done, he wondered why the bacteria were not growing near the fungi; by serendipity, he discovered penicillin produced by the fungus.
Frankly, we shouldn’t “walk on by.” That chance meeting may indeed have been presented to offer some new insight to one of you. Left unpursued, an opportunity for learning may have been missed. Speaking about chance events, in 1970 I came to California to finish my medical training from Washington, DC, because a friend of mine insisted I should challenge myself with living on a different coastline—something you all might consider doing sometime. I looked for someone to share in the drive west and a young man, Randy, answered my ad. Actually, he was the only one who did. We had a most enjoyable ride through this great country and despite being 10 years younger, Randy became a friend, as did his parents. That initial contact which occurred by chance led six years later to his parents’ recommending one of their friends to contact me in San Francisco. That friend introduced me to my wife, Sharon. Is this serendipity (a chance event) or is it six degrees of separation? No matter. It is simply a dramatic example of how one thing can lead to another. People you meet today may eventually lead you to meet others with whom you will establish long-lasting relationships.
Probably, any door that opens or any path taken, if pursued earnestly, will reveal your destiny. That possibility can only be appreciated when you look back, after several years, on the positive and negative experiences you’ve had in life. Who would have known when I left Wesleyan with majors in French and Biology and completing a research project in fungi, that I would be faced today with the greatest The third principle leads into my fourth: that challenge in public health: finding a solution most things do not happen by chance. When to AIDS. you encounter an unexpected event, take advantage of it. It can introduce you to a differ- Only now can I realize how my past experient direction and open up new vistas of ences prepared me for this task. I would say it understanding. I have adopted the principle began with a chance encounter at the college linot to avoid chance events. For instance, it is brary 40 years ago. I was interested in cancer so easy not to acknowledge someone you and found a paper written by Raymond Latknow when, by chance, you pass on the street. erjet while browsing through various issues of
Here is where serendipity really “kicked in.” When I looked to see if the bacteria exposed to this drug died because of the induced release of virus, I found the bacteria were alive and growing as measured by the increased amount of protein found in the test tube; however, when I looked at the bacteria directly (through just a routine microscope), I noted that they were four to ten times larger than the regular bacterium. By serendipity, I had discovered that this new drug blocked the ability of the bacteria to divide but did not block other processes that allowed the bacteria to grow in size. Importantly, this drug, because it arrests cell division, is now used to fight cancer and to arrest HIV replication in infected cells. This interest in studying human viruses brought me the good fortune of receiving a fellowship for a four-month training in tropical medicine in Africa between my third and fourth year in medical school. This adventure arose because of my appreciation for Parkinson’s law on conservation of energy that I noted earlier. I had sent letters to many different institutes and companies to obtain a job involving science that summer. I received no responses, but unexpectedly, a letter arrived from Louisiana State University asking if I were interested in their program in Africa. There was no connection between the letter that went out and this particular letter except the energy that I expended to plan my summer. That experience in Africa opened up my whole appreciation of medicine, life in different cultures, challenges of different dialects within the same country, and the challenges of vaccination for polio—and even smallpox—in these developing countries. And sadly, as you know, that continent today is the major site of the AIDS epidemic. Working in Africa laid the groundwork for my introduction into human viruses. At the Entebbe Virus Research Institute in Uganda, I was expected to capture my own monkey, obtain its kidneys, place them into tissue culture dishes, and use the growing kidney cells to isolate human viruses. During that experience, I was also asked to collect the vectors that might carry viruses that could cause disease in humans. In one experience I climbed a tree with an African counterpart. We exposed our legs because the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a major carrier of viruses, prefers to bite legs (I Spring / Summer 2001 page 15
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don’t know why). We were paid one shilling for each viable mosquito caught. I was to catch the mosquitoes when they were biting his legs, and in turn, he was to catch them when they were biting mine. I did very well but my African counterpart unfortunately did not. I had developed a survival instinct of swatting the mosquito before it consumed my blood— a dead mosquito was not worth a shilling. A business career was obviously not for me.
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tions of my previous experiences that I could tions, a whole new avenue of contacts and exnot have predicted would help me now take periences await your destiny. Essentially, comon this new challenge. munication and teamwork are keys to success. After all, if you see a turtle sitting on top of a What do these comments have to do with you? fence, you know it didn’t get there on its own. I hope that you will: -Find your own monkey, go after the training -Keep your hobbies active and pursue them and experiences you need to fulfill your pasthroughout your lifetime. sion, and discover the life outside of yourself. Above all, remember like those ripples in the -Venture forward, expending energy because pond, even a small step can have wide-range How could I know that this experience in that can bring you back unexpected rewards. influences. Uganda would serve me well when challenged with HIV/AIDS? I learned about African cul- -Get those doors open and take the risks in Again, congratulations Class of 2001 and ture, have been helped by my knowledge of doing so. You will benefit from the new vistas thanks to The Thacher School for its very English and French (two major languages in that are presented. warm hospitality in welcoming Sharon and me Africa), and I gained experience in public to this beautiful campus. You all are privileged health measures needed to curtail diseases. My -Be prepared to make chance observations to have received such a fine and varied educaintroduction to human viruses in Africa sealed count, and learn from events that appear to tion. As you go out to make your mark in the my fate to study other viruses affecting hu- have occurred by chance. world, you can look forward to sharing your mans, and encouraged me to take on the task experiences with others while living the of finding the AIDS virus. Looking back, I can -Invest in your friendships. They are your most Thacher tradition of “humility and quiet pernow see the personal interactions and connec- valuable resource. Through those interconnec- sistence.” e
Getting to Know Jack Huyler continued from page 23
Late in the week, all of us were getting a little tired from the constant meetings and the hectic schedule. On our last afternoon Jack decided to skip lunch, cool off in our air-conditioned room, and write in his journal. There was a little pressure from the group for him to re-consider and join us—we’d miss him; the lunch was at one of the better places in town; dinner was going to be late, etc. But the hook didn’t sink. “Don’t worry about me,” he said as he patted his stomach, “I could live for weeks off my hump!”
and gave it to him, thinking that Margaret might enjoy it. A few days later he called to thank me, but he stopped mid-sentence and said, “Oh wait, here’s Margaret, she wants to thank you herself.” Margaret speaks a little more slowly than I remembered, but her voice is strong. As we spoke, she said that they would enjoy the picture for many, many years.
But Jack, listening in the background, interAfter we returned home, I made an enlarge- rupted, shouting, “Not that many Margaret! ment of one of the pictures I took on the trip. Not at our age!” It is of Jack surrounded by children as he handed out the Jackson Hole pins. I framed it I sure hope he’s wrong. e
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Violence in Video Games Osteopathy Hate Speech A Study of Methamphetamine and Ecstacy Photography in War Documentaries Environmental Destruction and Economic Progress Western Theatre in the 20th Century Henri Cartier-Besson Hitler’s Mistakes Cloning Gun Violence Diabetes and Race Traditional Chinese Foods The Freudian Unconscious Human Brain Dream Psychology Zero Waste: Idealistic Dream or Realistic Goal? Hip Hop Culture Hearing Mathematics Cuba: The Evolution of the Revolution The Origins of American Baseball Legalization of Marijuana Fashion Design Islamic Art The Use of Ritalin in Medicating Children with ADD Firearms Advancements of the Civil War Evolution and Creationism Soul Food The Re-Introduction of Wolves in Wyoming The Criminal Profiler Cesar Chavez Fairy Tales Ecology for the Backcountry Fly Fisherman Music and the Movies Bullfighting: Art or Torture? Gospel Music Christian Science Japanese Zen Tea Ceremony Central Park, New York Geishas Women and the Media Addictive Sounds Chaos and Strange Attractors Effectiveness of Echninacea Smokeless Tobacco Gray Whales Fire Fighting Indian Residential Schools High-Performance Surfboard Design Sports Psychology The Death Penalty in Texas: History and Current Debate The People Behind the Posters Physics and Motocross Sai Baba: Man of Miracles Subliminal Ads in Magazine Print: Do They Really Work? Art and Medical Analysis of Anatomy 3n + 1 Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, Racism, and the Legal System Electronic Music Coming of Age Literature American Pacifism: Quakers and War Women’s Sexuality in Sumerian Literature Joni Mitchell Franz Liszt Sound Money Computer Effects in Film
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Reunion Weekend
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Spring/Summer 2000 page 19
Campus Life
Reunion Memorial Talk Thacher’s Specialness
by Marc L. Murray CdeP ’81
ow! Aren’t these two w o r d s beautiful—Outdoor Chapel. I know something about both, having, for the most part, started my journey into nature and faith at Thacher. I am from the class of 1981. What a powerful place, this Outdoor Chapel, and what a great day we have. I am honored to have been asked to speak to you, to the recognition of the people who have served this place, and to God this morning.
W
Sunset at “The Pines”
return. In order to honor those who have sacrificed, I thought it appropriate for me to first look at the definition of “Memorial” more closely. Two definitions caught my eye. A Memorial can be thought of as, a) “A statement of facts, often with a petition that something must be done…” b) “Anything meant to help people remember…”
What better way to commemorate terrific servants from Thacher than to explore the facts about what they have helped build and keep in our minds, sensory images of this great place that is Thacher. So here goes. Let’s start with a few facts… Thacher is one of the 10-20 best private schools in America. We think it is Number One, but let’s be conservative in our objectivity! Thacher is statistically one of the top 10 most difficult schools to get into.
There have been 2,555 graduates from Thacher and it is believed that at least ten perI couldn’t help but think about this talk as I cent have served our country in military/govwatched Tiger Woods march through Jack ernment/service roles and between 25-50 have Nicklaus’s Memorial Golf Tournament last died in service to our country. weekend. It brought to mind a number of clear images: first, the high quality of what we all Over 30 teachers have spent more than 20 want memorials to be; second, the overlapping years enriching Thacher. of a great past and an astounding present as the certainty of a coming future develops be- Since its inception, Thacher has had only eight fore our eyes; and third, the pause for a sudden headmasters, each devoted to the arduous task passing of a bright light we wish were still with of overseeing the School. us, as Golfer Paul Azinger’s speech eloquently reminded us about his friend and golfing stand- In today’s age of what I call “crazy legal and insurance capitalism,” Thacher remains the out, Paine Stewart. only school of its academic standing, to my We all, I am sure, have loved ones in our mind knowledge, to hold true to programs like a right now who have left us in God’s time but Horse Program and Extra-Day Camping Trips not on our own time schedule. For me it is two as a core part of its education, despite the risks non-Thacher buddies, Lee and Gary, and two involved…and, of course, has its faculty acformer classmates, Betsy McAtee and Phil tively participating with the students in this Boys, all of whom are on my heart at this mo- outdoor-learning partnership. ment. Let’s take a moment of silence, if you wouldn’t mind, to remember our friends who It is believed that Thacher has won between are not with us on Earth right now but who 25%-50% of the Condor League Sportsmanare here in spirit. A few of these names will be ship Awards. Don’t quote me on that one, parread again later in the service in recognition ticularly to any Dunn Award judges who might fail to see the humility in that statement— of their lives and sacrifice at Thacher. which is ironically antithetical to the spirit of With silence and contemplation as a back- such awards! I just think it is important to drop… my hope is that what I say now will show, by fact, that Thacher Toads care about help keep the Thacher Community in our more than just wins and losses. minds as we prepare to leave today and commemorate all those whose sacrifice has built, The Thacher Community has a clear record of sunset-by-sunset, what we enjoy each time we supporting environmental issues. Many have page 20 The Thacher News
sacrificed and accepted near-term political and personal pain, in opposition to strong corporate powers, to gain a positive longer-term result for the Ojai Valley and beyond. It’s tough to put a dollar figure on time, sweat, and blood but if you could, I would bet these important efforts have been worth into the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars of “life value.” Thacher volunteer programs such as Grade School Teaching, Senior Citizen Day Care, the Humane Society, Special Olympics, and Feeding the Homeless, to name a few, have a total enrollment of approximately 90 students, or 40% of the student body. They have grown exponentially since I went to Thacher in the early 80’s. That’s not a statement on a piece of paper from Thacher; it is action in motion— motivated by today’s adult and student leaders who want to make a difference. Finally, the sheer fact that Thacher has people such as Marvin Shagam, Fred Lamb, Mike and Joy Mulligan, Jesse Kahle, Jack Huyler, Bob Miller, David Lavender, Bill Wyman, the Trustees, Horse Program leaders, and others, including Sherman Day Thacher himself, who have day-by-day over time placed the needs of others ahead of themselves in order to build the whole of the Thacher Community, makes Thacher unique. Such selflessness can’t be documented individually because of the sheer mass of collective activity—thankfully for students and others, it is so evident—like a painting in progress in front of our eyes. What do facts such as these I have mentioned petition us to do, as suggested earlier in my talk? Why…I think that the answer is that we must follow the lead of today’s and tomorrow’s Thacher leaders and improve on what others have built. We must also respect the toil, creativity, and joy others before us have expended for our benefit today.
piece entitled “Grace and The Los Padres,” it passed on. It is an honor today to recognize really expresses quite well our relationship them in the spirit that we all know is a huge with the wilderness and each other out on the part of the Thacher Community. trail. While I know Thacher is founded on non-secWe remember, each time we go into the tarian fundamentals, I am happy to know also wilderness for either a walk or an adventure. that its open-mindedness will allow me to As Bill Wyman, my esteemed former Head- share with you a prayer and a verse for all master, once said, “...we know not only that those people and things that we commemorate bears exist but that they will eat your food. today. I offer this with the utmost of respect for That horses and life take sharp turns and it’s all people and religious beliefs. best to be prepared when they do, and we know that the natural elements are powerful, Closing Prayer and Thoughts unpredictable and to be respected.” Those classmates/teachers/administrators who have As we bow our heads or look to the sky, I pray, served our country and Thacher have often “Lord, you are a God of unexpected twists and been leaders because of their awareness of the turns in the path. Please lend us a share of your challenge, in addition to having diligently stud- courage for the journey in front of us, and ied ways to overcome obstacles, be they men- never let us forget your wisdom of the past, as taught to us through many of our Thacher tal or physical. friends. In You all things are made. We thank We remember, each time we see a horse and you for the assurance that you have promised re-affirm the importance of the relationship be- us through what you said to Simon Peter, tween man and animals. Of course, Sherman ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow now, Day Thacher saw it all along and said, “There but you will follow later.’ Sustain us and those is something about the outside of a horse that’s before us, Lord, in the journey of service to good for the inside of a boy.” We know that a You and our Thacher Community, so that we horse was certainly a useful thing before the may do as our ‘Banquet Song’ exclaims, ‘May proliferation of the automobile, but addition- Honor, and Fairness, and Kindness, and Truth ally Thacher noted other important aspects. I, be ours till life’s struggle is through.’ Amen.” personally, always noticed the trust that is re- Thank you. e quired when you are training/working with a partner, like a horse, in any walk of life and the fragility of it all…knowing that no matter how powerful something looks, let’s say a horse that is 18-hands high, we are all as vulnerable individually as the horse’s thin, sinewy ankle. At Thacher, we all learned both the grace of God’s beauty and the harshness of the intellectual and wilderness challenges laid before us (for example, I was one of 47 classmates to re-cut the old Oxley Trail in the rain and hail—in shorts—as punishment for choosing the beach over school, one fateful spring weekday). Truly we understand very well that there is a Creator much bigger than we are who has crafted the tools we work with.
With regard to the Second Part of my Memorial definition exercise, “Anything meant to help people remember…” I offer the followTry this some time. Get on top of Thacher’s ing for us to contemplate: water tower or one of the dormitories (I will We remember, each time a Thacher light goes not tell you how!).…looking up at a star-filled out too early, as with my classmates Phil and night, with a warm breeze blowing, whistling Betsy. It reminds us of their smiles, creativity, through the soft, sweet smelling pine energy, and love for their fellow classmates— branches….and seek the Creator, the source of things that are fostered among Thacher friends all that we have at Thacher—the intellect, the nature, the friendships, and the love that many of any particular year, decade, or century. of us experience when we come here. You tell We remember, each time we return to me after you’ve done it what you learned spirThacher’s beautiful grounds—the smell of the itually. I’ll bet that it will bring back quite a bit chaparral and the array of diverse animals: of what you learned at Thacher and continue from the condor, canyon wren, rattlers, moun- to further your spiritual journey. tain lions, and coyote to creatures like the black widow spider—we are reminded of the This Creator, greater than all of us, is the reatruly “natural” essence of the School. Thacher son, I believe, why so many talented people is not traditional in the sense of its national have given selflessly to Thacher over the years peers—its wilderness envelops each student and why we have so much to be thankful for in and is a big part of the tapestry that Thacher their actions. Many of these “givers” are still students paint on—unlike any other. For those with us, maybe even in this crowd, setting an who haven’t read it, ask Mike Mulligan for his example for the rest of us…while others have
Spring/Summer 2001 page 21
Profile: Faculty Emeritus
Getting to Know Jack Huyler Summer Life in Nicaragua Other than a few salutary words at Thacher events, Jack and I had hardly spoken in 25 years; but now a twist of fate would put us together for a week as roommates in Managua, Nicaragua. I came with a good recommendation. Seeing us off, my wife Janet told him I had been a great roommate for 18 of those 25 years. Jack replied, “Well, I appreciate Tom’s volunteering to room with an old goat!”
Jack Huyler distributes pins to Nicaraguan children
ack Huyler’s career at Thacher began in 1949, when he was hired as an English Teacher and Riding Master. He worked here for 33 years as a teacher, then as College Counselor, Director of Studies, Director of Admissions, Assistant Headmaster, Interim Headmaster, and, finally, as Alumni Secretary. Officially retiring in 1982, he is still an inseparable part of the Thacher community. He and his wife, Margaret, maintain a residence on campus, as he is one of the two faculty members in the School’s history (the other was Charley Beck) given the privilege of building a home here after retirement. The Huylers divide their year between their Thacher home and their ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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“Over the years, I find it a little more difficult to put names with the faces of former students. But not some. I’d recognize Tom Crozier’s hide in a tannery!” As Jack Huyler spoke, I thought to myself that given my initial performance as a Thacher freshman (a “Smut” back then), he had probably wanted to see my hide tanned! I’ve always been grateful to Jack for admitting me to Thacher; I believe my life would be totally different had I not gone there. But back in the fall of 1973, I gave him what I believe to be ample reason to regret his decision! I still imagine faculty meetings where he must have been asked, “Jack, why the hell did you let this guy in?”
page 22 The Thacher News
by Thomas H. Crozier CdeP ’77
suddenly a fly bites him. He swings that heavy head and neck to get the fly. You are walking along minding your own business, and that can really jerk your shoulder.” “How long does it take to get back into action after they put in a new one?” “Six weeks, isn’t that what they all take?!”
In Managua, as we unpacked in our simple but clean quarters, Jack eyed the bathroom sink. “You know, Tom,” he declared, “I always carry a universal stopper with me. A lot of places don’t have stoppers in the sinks for some We traveled to Nicaragua with reason, but with one of these,” he proudly held a group from Rotary Interna- out a rubber disk for my inspection, “you can tional, our mission being to help fill any sink with water— then you can wash establish several economic relief your socks! projects. Jack is a member of the Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Rotary “I always carry duct tape too,” he said, “and Club; and I am a member in zip-lock bags, and rubber bands; you’d be Ventura, California; but neither amazed at what you can do with them! of us knew the other was going on this trip (or was even in Rotary) until a few weeks before “And look at this electric toothbrush I got, ten we left. Over the next six days I would have bucks! It uses triple-A batteries, but if they run the privilege of becoming re-acquainted with out, you can still use it just like a regular toothhim and his unique brand of enthusiasm, wit, brush!” and wisdom. There were ten of us in our group—three Jack has spent the 19 years since his retirement women and seven men. The oldest, at 84, and from Thacher traveling extensively, usually ac- the organizer of our trip, was Alice McGrath. companied by Margaret. Nicaragua would be Alice has worked on relief projects in his 65th country. Always a teacher at heart, Nicaragua since 1982, and this was her 83rd not a minute went by without his sharing some visit there. Jack was the second oldest at 81. At pearl of knowledge with those around him. 42, I was the youngest; the others compared what they saw in Nicaragua with experiences Approaching the metal detector at the airport, in Vietnam and Korea. We spent the week travJack asked, “Tom, would you wait there on eling in an over-stressed Hyundai van, with the other side and watch my bags after they bald tires and broken air-conditioning, to vargo through the X-ray machine and they’re ious meetings and site visits in Managua and checking me over? It usually takes them a the surrounding cities of Leon, Granada, and while to search me.” Misaya. Ever the gentleman, Jack always stood by the door of our van to help the ladies in “Sure, Jack, but why do you think it’s going to and out. Whenever one of the women stood take so long?” up at the table, he did too. When she sat down, he helped her with her chair. I thought over “Because of all my artificial parts! I have two and over again how it’s a little sad that courartificial shoulders, a wired knee, a laminated tesies such as these have become anachronisms. spine, a smashed pelvis, one contact lens, and a hearing aid! The rest of me is me, though.” Our primary project in Nicaragua is building permanent housing for displaced victims of the “Holy cow! I didn’t even know they made ar- country’s various disasters. Visiting the comtificial shoulders.” munities with which we are working, we were constantly swarmed by curious children. Jack “Oh, yeah,” he said, “and a lot of old horse- had brought hundreds of plastic lapel pins feamen seem to need them. I think it’s from when turing a cowboy on a bucking horse which he you are leading a horse on a loose rope and got from the Jackson Hole Chamber of Com-
merce, and which he would produce from the pockets of his fishing vest as gifts for them. When we left a village, every child was a walking advertisement for Jackson Hole. “I always carry something for the children I meet when I travel,” he said. “I got these for free at the Chamber, just a little thing, but the kids love them! And I always wear this fishing vest too, look at all these pockets! You can carry just about anything in here. You can’t beat it!”
“Well,” I said, “right now I spend a lot of my free time with my kids, but for years they were scuba diving, rock climbing, and photography. A while back, though,” I continued, “I started returning from diving and climbing trips with a thrown-out back and so many sore joints and muscles that I’ve sorta dropped those activities. I guess I still do a little photography.”
“Well I’ve always told everyone that they should have at least one hobby that they can Nicaragua has the worst system of addresses in enjoy into old age,” he said, “just in case they the world, so we passed quite a bit of time get there! Mine are traveling and writing on driving around lost. The buildings have no the computer. The computer has changed my numbers and most streets have no names. A life.” typical address might read: Managua, three Blocks South of American Motors, Juan Rosa’s “You still have horses, don’t you?” I asked. house. Finding the destination is simply a matter of getting close, then interrogating “One.” We watched a few miles go by. “You passersby until you find one who knows Señor know, Margaret and I took a trip down to ArRosa. But to make things more interesting, gentina this winter. We went out to a big esAmerican Motors hasn’t been there for 30 tancia where they raised horses, and I started years; you have to know where it once was; talking to the owner, the dueño. The gauchos and south doesn’t mean south. Depending demonstrated ring spearing,” he continued, upon where you are (always questionable) “and I asked if I could try it; they gave me an south means either the direction of the sunset old clunker instead of the horse I wanted; but or the lake, both of which are difficult to es- off I went anyway at a full gallop. About half tablish at night. It’s not much better during the way down the course, the horse bolted for the day because the sun is obscured by haze, ex- stable; I stood hard on the right stirrup and cept at noon when it burns down from directly hauled on the beast. Right then the right fender overhead, and your shadow is a tiny spot be- and stirrup fell off the saddle! I grabbed for tween your feet. As we groused about this silly the saddle horn, but a gaucho’s saddle has no system while searching for a home in the dark horn! I grabbed for the mane. No mane! So I streets of Misaya, Jack remarked, “You know, flew off into the Argentine dust. It tastes just when I’m driving it’s never bothered me to hire like Ojai dust!” a taxi to go somewhere just so I could follow him and not have to find a place myself! I used “That sounds pretty dangerous for a man of to do that frequently when I traveled for the your age,” I said, remembering that during the School. We should consider doing that here.” two years I had a horse at Thacher, I was so terrified of falling, and therefore so careful, “I don’t know, Jack,” I said. “The taxi drivers that I never fell once. “How many times have here seem to spend as much time lost as every- you fallen off of a horse, Jack?” one else. But if there is an up side to this, it’s that everyone is so friendly and helpful when “Hundreds of times, literally hundreds! If you are doing anything but sitting there, you’ll go you ask where you are!” off once in awhile.” One morning as we were driving between cities, Jack asked, “Tom, do you have any hobbies?” Much of our time was spent in meetings. Jack usually listened quietly, saving his comments until afterward. Following a particularly long and difficult discussion with Rotarians from the Granada Club, he said, “I don’t think we should be talking so much about getting milk cows for the people here; the land is too poor. How about goats? Goats are browsers rather than grazers, and they can live on barbed wire and thorns, of which there are plenty here. Author Tom Crozier walks the streets of Nicaragua
Jack models his fishing “traveling” vest
“When I was a boy,” he said, continuing his dissertation on the merits of goats versus cows, “my pet goat ate the burned-out Christmas tree bulbs I had used to decorate a toy boat I made. That goat ate about ten colored bulbs and showed absolutely no evidence of dyspepsia! Show me a cow that can do that! Goats provide fine milk, will eat anything, make good pets, and the excess males are great to eat!” Another day, we were fortunate enough to be granted a meeting with the Mayor, the Alcalde, of Managua, Herty Lewites. Señor Lewites is a member of the Sandinista party and is reputed to be the second most powerful politician in Nicaragua. After listening to him speak of Managua’s seemingly insurmountable problems, Jack finally chimed in. “Mr. Mayor, you remind me of the fellow who called out to his friend, ‘Help me, I’m stuck in the mud up to my knees!’ Well climb out, you damn fool,” the friend replied. “No, you don’t understand, I’m in head first!” Jack keeps an extensive journal of his travels in his Apple Powerbook. Every evening he would go off by himself to document the day’s activities. His writings are for Margaret, who has Parkinson’s Disease and can no longer accompany him on more strenuous trips. He said that the morning after we returned home, he would begin reading it to her. In fact, they have a custom of reading from one of their travel journals at breakfast every morning. One night, as the rest of our group unwound in the steaming lobby of our pension, he returned from his writing to join us. Obviously having done some homework, he gave us an informal history lesson on Nicaragua, starting in 2000 BC! For millennia, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes have ravaged the country. In the last 400 years, foreign intervention (first by the Spanish, the United States getting involved in the 1850s) and civil war have added to the mix. He finished with the declaration that “Nicaragua, like old age, is not for sissies!” continued on page 16
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