Spring 2003 by The Thacher School

Parents’ Post A Newsletter for Parents and Friends of The Thacher School

Dear Parents and Friends:

news went out like flashfire to Thacher alums, parents, former parents, trustees: as TThe Head of School Michael Mulligan wrote, two of the School’s varsity teams—Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ Soccer—would be heading to the finals of the CIF Southern Section— the first time that two teams in one season had risen to that echelon of athletic competition. And like flashfire, good luck and congratulatory messages shot back from across the country (from Wyoming, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Illinois, Colorado, to name a few) and across oceans (from England, Pakistan, Singapore, Australia, Italy, Chile, even from quarters on the USS Constitution, from which one alum Navy pilot is taking daily runs across the Iraqi skies). Partly, the overwhelming response was a fitting reaction to the rarity of the event: two teams of humble (and fierce and competitive) Toads had made it to that last, high rung. But partly, the missives—often long, routinely heartfelt—went on, far beyond “Good luck!” to something more, their far-flung authors expressing an affinity deeply held, a connection to the Thacher that transcends the specifics of a time or an event: In this time of global uncertainty, we are excited for each other, for the success of a few bespeaking the hopes and memories of many. We are glad to have this happy reminder of a place that shaped us or our children, a place that is never far from our hearts” We may be separated by as many as three generations; our paths may never have crossed. But this we have in common: through Thacher, we are family.

Spring 2003

:: Parents’Post

COME TOGETHER Sound, sight, touch, movement, smell, taste—all our senses were enlivened on this winter’s Departmental Weekend. Artisans and scholars representing various world cultures and celebrations lured students and faculty into all kinds of workshops: in African drumming and dance; altars and shrines; henna body art; earth oven, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, and French cooking; microtonal music, bluegrass guitar, and Celtic music; Mexican saddle blanket weaving and horse-hair braiding; Flamenco dance; and Ukranian egg dying, to name just some. All this and an evening slide show/lecture entitled Shakti: The Power of the Divine Feminine in India by Dr. Stephen Huyler, a night of Senegalese drumming and dancing, and a get-down allSchool dance to culminate the weekend.

ON SHAKTI AND OTHER POWERS As part of an on-going program that has brought to our campus the A talents and expertise of some extraordinary friends of the School— a woodcraftsman, a former U.S. Congressman, a Tibetan monk, and a Japan scholar at various t i m e s — S t e p h e n P. Huyler CdeP 1969, author, art historian, lecturer, cultural anthropologist, and photographer, joined the faculty for the third quarter as a classroom teacher, lecturer, and source of inspiration for students of religion and photography. The two upper class courses Dr. Huyler taught—Puja: Hindu Rituals and Sacred Art and Ethics of Photography—as well as his all-School slide-sound-andlecture presentation, were rooted in his areas of experience and passion: for over three decades and for a third to a half of each year, Dr. Huyler has made his own annual pilgrimage to India, joyfully conducting a cross-cultural survey of indigenous arts and cultures. His focus during the last decade has been upon the rituals of practical Hinduism: that is, daily devotion in India. His images have appeared in

major museums around the world; as well, he has curated numerous museum shows of Indian art, including two at the Smithsonian Institution and one at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Dr. Huyler’s books—Village India (Abrams, 1984), Painted Prayers: Women’s Art in Village India (Rizzoli, 1994), Gifts of Earth: Terracottas and Clay Sculptures of India (Mapin, 1996) and Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion (Yale University Press, 1999)—are highly regarded as excellent entrées to understanding a religion to which one in every five human beings is devoted. Pictured here, Grace Bueti, creating a kolam— a traditional folk art in which women, often as a daily early morning ritual, create original designs on the ground in or near their homes, from rice powder or lime.“It is,” writes Dr. Huyler,“the only art in India that transcends caste, occupation, and religion, whether Hindu, Muslim, or Christian.”

SHORT TAKES community took an Assembly this winter to TThe celebrate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: the chorus sang a piece called “I Dream a World,” and several students—Keely Walsh, Emily Love-Platt, Bob Kamuyu, Patrick Bates, and Danielle Vega (pictured here)—read excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches and treatises. e Named to that rare status of National Merit Finalist last month were senior Alison Flynn and Lucy Hodgman. e Six hearty and hardy souls, organized by Robert Cerda, spent a winter weekend at Patton’s Cabin—an in-holding owned by Thacher in the Sespe River Wilderness area—performing the sorts of labor from which the rest of the camping population benefits: Lizzy Brewer, Will Oxley, Michael Dachs, Becky Swan, Jacey Roche, and Robert, with help from their well-trained and willing equine friends, hauled out trash, hauled in supplies and mended much broken-down fence in the area. e Newly minted B-Campers, having successfully completed a host of requirements to earn them the moniker and attendant responsibilities and privileges in the Horse and Outdoor Programs, include Will Oxley, Alex Herr, Brendan Keane, Matt O’Meara, Willy Wilder, and Kay Bradford. e Senior Arielle Flam, with the guidance of Sra. Cecilia Ortiz (Spanish), organized a group of upperclassmen for a camping trip visit to Puerta de Fe—an orphanage in La Mision, Baja California, Mexico. During their weekend trip, they put their shoulders to the wheel, leveling an esplanade (more than 5 hours of very hard physical labor, shovels in hand) and opened their hearts to both young and older orphans, playing basketball and other games and telling stories. Taking part were Nikke Alex, Vivi Hernandez, Clare Holstein, Robert Cerda, and Zak Kitnick. e

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Murder and mayhem, treachery and double-deal- Visiting with the children at the ing—at least of the stage orphanage was wonderful. At first, variety—was the order of I was nervous because I was the day when the entire freshman class bussed worried that my Spanish might down to Glendale to see an not be that great—but we ended award-winning producup communicating very easily. tion of Shakespeare’s Mac—Nikke Alex beth. As a result, “on the stage” moved to “on the page” with a whole lot more sense when the 9th graders went on to study the play in depth. e Winners in the annual Glitter-’n’Glue Valentine’s Card Contest: Grace Bueti (Long Distance Gluer category: stayed at the table the entire three hours), Lindsay Hunt (Just Plain Adorable category), Phoebe Halsey (3-D Delight), Hana Chang (Multiple Use category—could be a valentine, could be a paper airplane), Nikke Alex (High Output category: 23 cards in 11⁄2 hours), Lucy Herr and Logan Morrow (Equine Love category), and Kay Bradford (Multimedia Sibling Rivalry category—her sister, Betsy CdeP 2002, won four years running). e Orchestrating the first-ever west coast Interscholastic Equestrian Association regional show nearly single-handedly was Thacher’s Equitation Team Captain Phoebe Barkan. The show, in which Thacher riders competed successfully in hunt-seat equitation, jumping and flat classes against equestrians from Santa Catalina, determined which riders will go on to compete in Ohio later this spring at the IEA National Finals. Packing their trunks for that sojourn will be Katherine Bechtel, Hanna Uscinski, Sara Schneider, and Phoebe Barkan.

VERY SHORT TAKE Declan Barkley Mahoney was born to ElizaD beth, Bert, and Aidan on 3/26/03. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 2 oz. and was 20 inches long.

CHUKKING, ANYONE? A dedicated band of mallet-wielding riders has throughout the year, A under the tutelage of Chuck Warren, learned more and more about the art and skill of polo. Varsity players Hugh Gordon, Rebeccah Gore-Judd, Robert Cerda, Hazel Ruiz, and Cal Jensen, after several months of preparation, sought and found their culminating moment in the the Western Regional Interscholastic Arena Polo Championships in Santa Barbara. There, they faced the challenge of being assigned an unfamiliar horse from a pool of ponies and going through the paces of a five-minute get-acquainted warm-up, followed by the actual competition. Although the Thacher team lost to the eventual champions, NorthCal Polo, our riders played fully creditably—and with only two graduating seniors on the squad, they’ll no doubt return to even greater success next year. “With our own arena next year [walls going up on the roping arena perimeter] and with a formal schedule of regular matches next year, things will change for the positive. And since arena polo is being played in around 70 colleges in the U.S., we should start seeing some Thacher

riders in the news in a year or two,” predicts Coach Warren. Pictured here, a mix of players from the varsity team and the instructional team: Hugh Gordon, Rebeccah Gore-Judd, Luke Myers, Rebekah McFarland, Hazel Ruiz, and Keely Walsh.

AND MORE HISTORY a year of athletic firsts (football, season switch for soccer and IInlacrosse), add this to the mix: Thacher’s inaugural Ultimate Frisbee Club team, Los Burros Del Cielo, formed through the enthusiastic leadership of seniors Chris Cahill, Brian Keane, and Katherine Bechtel and double-timing faculty coach (in charge, too, of the JV Girl’ soccer squad), Cam Spaulding CdeP 1992. Freshmen Martha Gregory, Ryan Smith, James Allison, Cal Jensen, and Ruth Sawyer linked arms with sophomores Brendan Keane, Lauren Bangasser, and Mary Bloom in learning the game; junior Stephen Rooke, despite being sidelined by a soccer injury, remained loyal and supportive throughout the season. T’was all put to the test when the small cadre of Thacher players (including the late-comer Matt Stenovec, just back from Maine Coast Semester) headed north to the Bay Area for a tournament that brought together teams from California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. Seeded 11th in a very tough bracket that included the eventual tourney champs, Los Burros “played inspired ultimate, and when the mud was wiped away and the kilts— yes, kilts borrowed from the JV Girls’ Lacrosse team—had settled down once again, the Thacher team had moved up to a most creditable 6th place overall in the competition. Forget “Yee haw!” This is purely “Hee haw” (with some bagpipe tossed in for good measure)!

INDEPENDENT-MINDED A handful of students—generally juniors and A seniors—each sports season pursue Independent Afternoon Projects in areas of personal long-held interest, and three times yearly, the community gets a peek at the fruits of these students’ labor. Most recently, it was one delight after another for those in the audience: Sarah Shaikh learned traditional Indian dance, Dawn Cleveland the Hawaiian hula, and Sarah Jackler used her background in tap dancing to choreograph two numbers; Ellen Adams pursued songwriting, as did Vivi Hernandez martial arts, and Ella Carney continued her study of violin; writing projects

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engaged Sarah Chamberlain (poetry) and Rebeccah Gore-Judd (short story, essay) for the term, as did Chinese calligraphy for Vivian Wu; Emily Nathan and Jessie Liu focused on installation art, while their classmate Katie Kuhl dug into the archives to compile information and create a finding aid for Co-education at Thacher materials (highly topical, as we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of this momentous decision in the School’s history). Other pursuits in the spirit of independents: Luke Myers earned his flying license, Katie Frykman put in her single scull at Lake Casitas regularly, Carrie Blayney established a small organic garden—and brought various plants and flowers to her elderly friends at St. Joseph’s Convalescent Center. Patrick Bates aimed, over and over, for the bullseye in his project in archery (with his eye on Olympic style shooting), while Alissa Wallace and Ian Strachan donned necessary protective gear before lifting a foil, learned a whole new lexicon and mastered basic techniques in the art of fencing. With Julia Erdman as their arranger (and harmony anchor), Jackie Fiske and Lauren Fiske learned new pieces to expand the repertoire of The Peppermint Tulips, their a cappella singing group that also includes Mary White. Whitney Snyder continued her work in photography, EK Khazanovich his in ceramics, while Kyle Dumont and Cameron Goodman took to as many California snowy slopes as possible to combine their love of skiing with their passion for documentary photography and cutting edge video editing.

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU Or enlighten you. Or delight you. Several artists and lecturers did O one or more of same when, as part of the Lectures and Concerts Series, under the expert leadership Elizabeth Bowman, they made the trek to appreciative Thacher audiences: • Author (Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys; Best Friends, Worst Enemies), consultant, and psychologist Dr. Michael Thompson visited classes and spoke with students in both small groups and large. In his after-dinner talk to the whole community, Dr. Thompson addressed the ever-increasing stresses associated with the college admission process. “It has Your happiness grown so complicated, so lies in the human community you Byzantine,” he said. “Yet your job is simply this: to help to make, not in believing there become a productive, lov- are only nine colleges out there ing, thoughtful, moral worthy of your attention. adult. Don’t lose sight of that in the crazy game of —Dr. Michael Thompson college admission.” • Richard Beall, former concert pianist and presently piano teacher to many Thacher students, performed Franz Liszt’s Apré une lecture du Dante Fantasia quasi Sonata and Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23, Opus 5 (“The Apassionata”). • Dr. Richard Ryan, a drug educator of long-held repute, spent an entire week at Thacher as part of the School’s all-classes, on-going Human Relationships and Sexuality program.

• Richard Winters, horse clinician extraordinaire, worked with student and faculty riders and their steeds during a two-day event held out at the Gymkhana field, teaching what he called “equine linguistic skills.” • Contemporary steel string guitarist Chris Proctor made a return visit (he played two years ago) to draw the spotlight to both original compositions and arrangements of others’ music. He played both 6- and 12-string instruments in a wide spectrum of styles— folk, jazz, pop, ethnic, classic—and remarkable fusions of same. • Mosaic artist (and Thacher mom) Merilee Eaton and plein aire watercolorist Betty Saunders (former head of the Art Department here at Thacher) joined creative forces in an exhibit of their work in the Frances & Sydney F. Brody Art Gallery this month. This followed the fabulously inventive show curated by Allie Bueti (mother of Grace and Belle) entitled Inspiration and Expression. • Red Fay CdeP 1937 and Undersecretary of the Navy from 1961 to 1966, visited for formal dinner with students, then regaled his audience with stories of Jack Kennedy, former President and best friend; Mr. Fay brought with him films of his time with the Kennedys, including footage never before seen in public, then answered questions about the Kennedy Years and spoke about what it was like to be so close to the most powerful office in our government, sharing his insider’s perspective on some of our nation’s most critical years. •The Gizmo Guys, a pair of jugglers who gave new meaning to the phrase “stand-up comedy,” kept the throng enthralled for over an hour of extraordinary stage antics that, yes, included bats and balls—and several volunteers from the audience. • Paola Gianturco—entrepreneur, photographer, activist—told the story, aloud and through vividly beautiful slides, of the inspiration for and the making of her book: In Her Hands: Craftswomen Changing the World. Her focus: how women in developing economies (she and her co-researcher visited Guatemala, South Africa, Turkey, Panama, Indonesia, Bolivia, and India) improve the lives of their families by making and selling indigenous crafts: batik, beading, fabric and rug weaving, embroidery, created in the present as a link between the past artistic traditions and the future of micro-enterprise. • Returning to Thacher for its annual winter visit was the Banff MountainFilm Festival whose representatives screened for us several independent films. • The Household Gods, an acoustic/vocal quartet including Thacher dad J.B. White and other talented local goodfellas Charlie Bosson, Jim Lashly, and Robert Menna, played an after-formal dinner gig in the cozy Alumni Room. Their repertoire included classic Beach Boys, Beatles, and Bing Crosby. • Making Thacher a whistle-stop on their annual educational tour was a duo from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Kirsten Giroux and Malcolm Hillgartner performed a wide variety of dramatic pieces, from works of the Bard on through the centuries to the quite contemporary.

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SCHOOL THE THACHER ATION PARENTS’ ASSOCI Spring 2003

how especially aware of to a close, we are ger anticiing ea m in co rd is r wa he for ac d ose time at Th th gratitude an wh wi r ck nio ba se k a of loo ts to As paren e this letter s gone! Yet we tak unique. quickly the year ha e Thacher utterly ak m at th e hope ts en ev g tin ina lm s built around it. W cu of pation mily Weekend that’ it’s also Fa al, e su th d ca d an a an an ed of course, Gymkh ays great fun: relax is, e alw es is y on Satth at da g wh all on ns for am Chief a itself (which ru weekend in May an st kh fir e m th rGy y ed oll erv wild and wo all-community ba that you’ve res e components), an s. Beyond the often g, liv itie d tin tiv an oo ac t sh en th psil wi tra th d ing bo brimm nday, tennis an on (which has Su cti on Au t ce ren rvi se Pa e s. el th ap ilie friends’fam urday), there’s nominational ch their friends, their evening, a non-de ildren’s teachers, ch of this weekend. s ur becue on Saturday es yo cc th su wi le it ab d time to vis ed to the inevit ut rib nt co ve ha athletic events—an ll o wi both small e to all of you wh ve helped, in ways Thanks in advanc any of you who ha ming all the m lco so we to for de e tu as ati s to express gr Jan and Jon Pe s: rve th se on ter m t let ’ Varsity is ys en th bo rec e of e Most ities thes er for hosting th rious Thacher activ getting and Henry Wild for by er yv Ab ; hr rty Sc and large, with va pa m ss of the woods; Ca eir home for a cla ck th ne hn o Jo eir int d th es an in or t tsy om en soph tournam lower field; Be a dinner during a d Tom d running on the an an up dy d Ju un h; ro ot Lacrosse team for m pg m ca er’s night at Mam physical training for ub on a cold wint that same team’s Debbie Tennant ad Bomber Ski Cl M e rls’Soccer teams; th Gi ng d sti an ri Liverll ho No ba d ot an Fo o ty M rsi ; Grether for Va es e m th ral soccer ga ng on the dog for urnament and seve of post-season/ Munzig for putti e girls’ lacrosse to th numerous logistics e th th bo le to nd ks ha ac to ng ke for hosting a lpi Lu he n providing sn so for l d ncy Myers an and Beth Wesse Na t, ; m lio El tea e all e-thespians ain etb El sk e, mor Varsity Ba t for ferrying athlet play of the Girls’ h; David Babbot e Admission nc th Ra to H aid ing into-spring-break en Fly e giv ral of you have a branding at th ve for Se s . nt ht de cilia and nig stu Ce ce of d an p an grou e perform nry Wilder, e Bye Birdie on on ory, Abby and He n and Jon Ja eg ll, Gr hi n ng Da tti from games to By d hi an W yang, Judith another: Mary or Ou n m sa for and Tom e Su ; dy on es Ju in m d e ho Offic beth White, an therings in their iza ga El d us an rio . workva J.B , for t ell ele Jim Herber i, John Bosw gest list of tir ss Program. The lon lie and John Buet sit Al ding , Vi lea ift f nd of Sw co d an Se Te e’s um e, fic Peas AT: with Nina To e Admission Of th PS d th an wi T ng ry SA lpi e Jer he th , a Hamer Munzig for test proctors for ight Moore, Donn who’ve served as Connell Davis, Dw d, ers involves those or Em n Ro , Quintana the charge, Diana n Bennett, Barbro ane, Terri and Do Ke n, len He , nn Du i, Carol Castano ldman, John Buet d an ge led Huth, Patricia Go ow kn Yet even as we ac rs and Meg Emord. ow there are othe ove publicly, we kn ab e th myriad in ol ho thank all of Sc e th o’ve supported whether you’re of you out there wh nition. Know this: og rec ns sa and faculty are other ways s nt de t, the Thacher stu no or re he ed m na parent volunteers we know that it’s grateful. They and greased and ll eels of Thacher we who keep the wh squeak-free! know we’ll be seeund the corner, we With May just aro khana. Can’t wait! m person at Big Gy in u yo of y an m ing Warm wishes,

Dear Parents,

ck Kathy and Brian Ba

5025 THACHER ROA

•

93023-9001 OJAI, CALIFORNIA

• (805) 646-4377

33 • FAX (805) 640-10

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The Thacher Masquers Present

Over three dozen energetic, dedicated, and talented actors, singers, dancers, and musicians veritably owned center stage for this winter’s musical—The Thacher Masquers’ production of Bye, Bye Birdie. And from New York City to Sweet Apple, Ohio, it was one swell musical trip. As always, supporting roles included the pit orchestra and a slew of invisible but ubiquitous techies, ensuring a smooth run for those out on the boards. Vibrant and often hilarious, the play engaged the talents of members of every class and, for three nights running, raised audiences to their feet in applause and appreciation.

Book Musi Ly

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k by Michael Stewart c by Charles Strouse rics by Lee Adams

Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sanford Jensen Musical Director . . . . . . . . . . Greg Haggard Choreographer . . . . . . . . . . . . Gallia Vickery THE CAST Julia Erdman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose Alvarez Lindsay Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mayor’s Wife Jackie Fiske . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim MacAfee Emily Love-Platt . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Merkle Jenna Reasor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. MacAfee Annie Wheatley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mae Peterson John Babbott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albert Peterson T.J. Bermant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. MacAfee Ned Lederer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hugo Peabody Calvin Lieu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randolph MacAfee Emery Mitchem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conrad Birdie Ward Sorrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mayor Will Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Johnson/Shriner TEENAGERS/ADDITIONAL ROLES Cara Bonewitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Penelope Ann Clare Holstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy/Consuela Maddie Ignon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wheelchair Lady Sarah Jackler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Margie/Carmen Emily Nathan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helen/Rosa Sarah Tapscott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ursula Merkle Kaitlin Walter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alice Mary White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloria Rasputin Aubrey Wynn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sad Girl Ben Babbott . . . . . . . . . Reporter/Policeman/Bar Fly /Shriner Sam Felton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harvey Johnson/Roadie/Shriner Arthur Kaneko . Reporter/Policeman/Stage Manager/Bar Fly/Shriner Chance Phelps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reporter/Maude Michael Quintana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roadie/Shriner Hugh Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bar Fly THE BAND Clarinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whitney Livermore Violin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charmiane Lieu, Calvin Kim Trumpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard K. Smith, Chris Masson Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oscar Rivera Bass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Boyd Drums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Matzkin THE CREW Head Tech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hugh Gordon Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan Parker Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Gierke Follow Spot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Gierke, Brendan Keane Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hana Chang Assistant Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kirsty Mark Stage Crew:. . . . . . . Kirsty Mark, Hana Chang, Melanie Morris Ian Strachan, Armando Leon Set Design: . . . . . . . . Hana Chang, Kirsty Mark, Hugh Gordon Costumes: . . . . Michael Quintana, Gallia Vickery, Tami Haggard Make-Up: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shayla Cooke, Ali Barbieri Spanish Dance Choreography Assistant . . . . . . Melissa Vickery Entre-acte Vocal Arrangement:. . . . . . . . . . . . . Julia Erdman

FROM THE DIRECTOR: For most of us, Bye Bye Birdie hearkens back to a much simpler time. Furthermore, it’s got an abundance of teenagers’ roles—and is one of the few plays out there where cast members can be their own age. Before the curtain ultimately rose, these indefatigable Thacher students rehearsed from 9:00-10:00 evenings and gave up their Sunday afternoons for eight weeks. This commitment to spending precious free time to put on a play is not only impressive, but it demonstrates the need to create, to communicate, to work col-

lectively, in an endeavor where you are the instrument, the brush, the song and dance. It is so exciting to see young men and women, many who have never been on a stage before, conquer the fears of performing, stand and deliver with such bravery and skill. The high school musical is a wonderful tradition that exemplifies all that is right and good with our students; it also provides a unique team experience out of the classroom and off the field. Yet art and music are not mutually exclusive with sport and athletic competi-

tion. In fact, every member of the cast participated in a sport or independent afternoon project; the several who played on championship varsity teams often changed into costume while driving from games hours away. This is another vivid demonstration of the sort of carefully calibrated challenge that lives here at Thacher, not just in philosophic exhortation but in daily practice: sport is not just for jocks and art is not just for pale-faced nerds. It is a philosophy that includes rather than separates, bringing together many different interests and abilities to appreciate and applaud.

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CIF Coaches of the Year, three Condor League championships, TTwo one CIF championship, and one runner-up for first place CIF. It was, by anyone’s reckoning, a winter of great success, as well as historymaking moments: the first time that Thacher has ever had two teams in CIF finals during the same season. Yet here’s what Thacher athletes know full well: if you can’t light up what’s known as the second scoreboard—the one that’s about effort and unity, about fair play, about grit and grace—all the victories in the world make little difference. We are proud to write that this past season, as in so many other preceding, Thacher athletes, with their coaches inspiring them, set that scoreboard ablaze, too, winning the Condor League’s Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Award for the past three seasons, as well as this year’s CIF “Shake for Sportsmanship” award.

next game, it was Erica Pucetti, Becca Mayne, and Annie Wheatley proving to be the critical difference by making key decisions; in the third, it was Steffi Rauner (also named All-CIF 1st Team) lighting up the basket with dazzling three-point shooting; come the fourth, Becky Horton (all CIF-2nd Team) and Annie Wheatley set the tone, and Sabrina Lee stepped in when a teammate fouled out. Also contributing in important ways along the way were Most Improved Player Channing Emord at post during the season and Nhu Y Dang, up from the JV for post-season practice. Winning the votes for Most Valuable and Most Inspirational Player were Steffi Rauner and Annie Wheatley, respectively. What a team! What a season! JV GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Coach: Rich Mazzola Captains: Jackie Au and Hana Chang Led to a 6-6 season’s record by senior Captains Au and Chang (who were, in turn, flanked often on the court by classmates Shayla Cooke, Alison Flynn, and Mary White), the members of this team ranged in experience from 4-year vets to new-to-the-game.

“Regardless of her background,” said Coach Coaches: Melissa Johnson (CIF Coach of Mazz, “each girl imthe Year) and Kurt Meyer proved and brought all Captains: Annie Wheatley and she could to what was a Whitney Livermore wonderful season.” Even against tough nonNo doubt about it: This was the team—tiny league opponents, these in numbers, but tenacious—that took it all girls battled with deterthe way to the Pyramid, then brought home mination and courage — the trophy engraved with this: CIF Southern Section Champions. Other accolades, heaped along the way, stack up and success: to wit, Marguerite Kissell’s 14-point performance high: a Condor League record of 8-0 and therefore the League against a tough Bishop Diego team, Rena Karefa-Johnson’s 12Championship; an overall record of 17-4; Steffi Rauner’s election to point game vs. Nordhoff, Alison Flynn’s 13 points vs. Santa Clara. “In Condor League play, the highlight was a game All-Tourney Team in the Fillmore against Cate in which our Lady Toads put on a veritable Tournament early in the season; It was that rare sort of sweet season defensive clinic—allowing only six points and pouring Coach Johnson’s CIF Coach of the that you dream about—as a coach, in 33 with Jackie Au leading the offensive charge with 12 Year award. “I was astonished at the points.” Yet although victories are surely sweet, Coach team’s growth throughout the sea- as a player. I could not be more Mazzola contended that “perhaps the most exhilarating son,” she said. “We went from a de- proud of these girls and of the games were the close losses to the powerful league cent team to a red hot Southern Sec- incredible journey we took together. champion, Cornerstone Christian—one in which sention underdog that had the mental —Melissa Johnson, iors Au and Flynn led a comeback charge in which we toughness to crave—and handle well—high-pressure situations.” CIF Coach of the Year outscored them 14-4 in the fourth quarter, and the other, a two-point barn-burner in which each and every Each player contributed to that more-than-capable handling: in the first (and very physical) post- player poured her heart into it.” Most Improved honors were season game, Whitney Livermore (elected to All-CIF 1st Team) shared by Mary White and Megan Boswell; Most Valuable were proved a powerful rebounder and the team’s leading scorer; in the Jackie Au and Marguerite Kissel. VARSITY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Spring 2003 :: 9

VARSITY BOYS’ BASKETBALL Coach: Jason Carney Captain: Brenton Sullivan Like the other Toad varsity teams this winter, this squad qualified for CIF competition after playing a demanding schedule that demanded what their coach called “both heart and toughness.” Some highlights from regular season play: • Chris Willoughby’s 3-pointer from 25 feet out that sent the game against Viewpoint into double overtime—and then an encore performance two nights later in a crucial moment against Villanova. • Brenton Sullivan—captain, leading scorer, and season MVP—providing leadership and inspiration throughout the winter. He also single-handedly willed Thacher to an overtime victory against Laguna Blanca. • Graham Doud’s powering through the flu on the road against Villanova to deliver a tremendous performance; he took on more charges than anyone else on the team and was far and away the squad’s top rebounder that night. • Will Johnson’s 10 rebounds and Chris Willoughby’s 25 points in the season opener against Nordhoff in which our Toads came within a hair’s breadth of pulling off a major upset. In the playoffs, Thacher advanced to second-round play by traveling to south central LA and beating heavily favored Masada on its home court. The next rung proved too tough, however, and Thacher lost to the tournament’s #2 seed in a closely contested game. Senior Chance Phelps earned Most Improved; Captain Sullivan, with an average of 18 points per game, won Most Valuable Player. JV BOYS’ BASKETBALL Coach: Derick Perry Captains: Gilbert Acosta, Jim Sligh, and Leland Franklin A Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Award winner by vote of the players and coaches of the Condor League, this squad, comprised entirely of underclassmen, dubbed themselves “The Tenacious Ten”—and, it turns out, for good reason. It’s true that few victories came their way, but that didn’t get in the way of the kind of memory-making camaraderie and gritty play that makes the team experience really sing.“Every single team member contributed to the positive feeling,”

remarked Coach Perry. Freshmen Andrew Fair, Jordan Reiff, Alex Marlantes, and Marc Fuller contributed enthusiasm and hard work; sophomores Toby Nathan, Max Anderson, and Barrett Brown, excellent play and humor; all three junior captains, resilience and unqualified leadership. Toby Nathan won Most Valuable Player, and Leland Franklin earned Most Improved. VARSITY GIRLS’ SOCCER Coach: Kara Hooper Captains: Laurel Back, Bessie Hatch, and Sarah Tapscott Decisive wins over Santa Clara (5-0) and Viewpoint (4-1) launched the winter propitiously for the varsity girls, followed by post-holiday play involving five games in eight days. Some games were squeakers in the wrong direction— losses by one goal—yet Thacher won a berth in the CIF playoffs by virtue of the early wins. Scoring goals this season were Katie Telischak, Mary Leighton, Emma Werlin, Deirdre Herbert, Julia Robinson, Kelly Percival, Logan Morrow, and Rachel Munzig (who won Most Improved Player at season’s end); Kelly Percival commanded a big presence on the forward line (6 goals, 2 assists), while Lauren Bangasser solidified the defense with help from stalwart marking backs Melissa Vickery and Melanie Morris. Midfielder Laurel Back, named MVP of the team for her six goals and eight assists, also won 1st Team All-CIF honors (only one of two players from the Condor League so honored to either 1st or 2nd Team). Rachel Munzig was the Most Improved Player. Bessie Hatch earned Most Inspirational, by vote of her fellow footballers. JV GIRLS’ SOCCER Coach: Cam Spaulding CdeP 1992 Captains: Jacey Roche and Kaitlin Walter This undefeated team, with players from all four classes represented, secured no fewer than four shut-outs and three games in which the opposition scored only one goal. Furthermore, out of nine games, seven were either ties or were decided by a single goal—indication of just how exciting the season was for both players and field-side fans. Defensive flanks to Kaitlin Walter’s expertise at sweeper were freshmen Aubrey Wynn and Catherine Robinson, who supported inspired goalie play by their classmate Martha Gregory; meanwhile senior Jacey Roche provided significant midfield leadership. The combined forces of Jessica Cornwell, Juliana Ma, Jaime Siegel, Emily Love-Platt, and Cindy Sorrick, feeding to Virginia Dawson, Alyssa Tenant, and Caitlin Wyman, kept the ball upfield for most games. And if all that weren’t sufficiently sparkling, there was Bianca Kissel’s hand-spring

:: Parents’Post

throw-in mag ic and Ruth Sawyer’s ubiquitous hustle. Named Most Valuable was freshman Kaggie Orrick, who utterly dominated the defensive half of the field. Most Improved honors were shared by Kaitlin Walter at sweeper and Cindy Sorrick at center halfback. THIRD GIRLS’ SOCCER Coach: Eric McCarren Captains: Phoebe Halsey and Elizabeth Jackson Calling themselves JV2, this team put together a 2-1 season record. It was a small squad, but a spirited one, each girl giving her best all along the way: goalie Elizabeth Craver’s making three amazing stops and maintaining a commanding presence in the freezing cold OVS match; Elizabeth Jackson’s direct kick into the net against Midland; Clare Holstein’s willingly putting herself in harm’s way when a Midland player was on a streaking breakaway; Phoebe Halsey’s offensive pursuit during the last away game at OVS; Josephine Chow’s going one-v.-two against a pair of especially strong OVS forwards; Cindy Mendoza’s attack on goal that came t-h-i-s close; and Hazel Ruiz’ picture-perfect assist in the home OVS-Thacher match. As individuals and as a team, they all learned much—about the game and about being an athlete. VARSITY BOYS’ SOCCER Coach: Fred Coleman (CIF Coach of the Year) Captains: Tyler Caldwell, Charlie Munzig, and Jimmy Madigan With this year’s changes in the athletic season, this team, like many, went up against some dramatically more competitive teams from significantly larger schools: Bishop Diego, Rosamond, Loma Linda, Fillmore, Carpinteria, Flintridge Prep, and Oak Park. Yet this increased competition seemed only to fire the boys up further: in fact, they finished the regular season with a string of 35 games without a loss— and with their third consecutive Condor League Championship title in the bag, and a Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Award, as well. The team was led by seven seniors: Captains Caldwell (who netted a School record-matching five goals in the Loma Linda game and was subsequently named to the All-CIF 1st Team), Munzig (All-CIF 1st Team), and Madigan, as well as Owili

Eison (All-CIF 3 rd Team), Emery Mitchem, Troy Pollet (All-CIF 1 st Team), and goalie Richard Smith (AllCIF 2nd Team). Heading into postseason play, the team was ranked an astonishing 3rd out of 88 schools, then boldly made its way through to the CIF finals, where St. Margaret’s edged them out, despite fine and courageous 2nd half play. “These boys dedicated themselves to trusting each other and to playing absolutely unselfish soccer,” said their coach. “And when they were on their game…well, it was a beautiful to watch: athletics as an art form.” As voted by members of the team, Ben Babbott won Most Improved Player, Owili Eison Most Inspirational, and Most Valuable, Troy Pollet. Also named to an All-CIF team (2nd) was sophomore Jaime Luna. JV BOYS’ SOCCER Coach: Kurt Supplee Captains: Eddy Tavernetti and Evan Werlin Although the JV boys started off a bit slowly, they rallied magnificently by the end of the season to win their last two games—against Flintridge Prep and Cate. Reported their coach,“I was especially impressed by the great determination to keep on improving that these kids showed when we were down early in the winter. As a result, they learned a valuable lesson about the rewards of hard work, and I ended the season as a very proud coach.” Freshman James Allison was, at center midfield, “the catalyst of our offensive attack,” according to Coach Supplee. And as sweeper and stopper,

While these storybook seasons had to come to an end, these teams have left indelible marks in Thacher’s record books. Ultimately though, the league records, season records, championships, and awards are just a small part of the stories written by these two amazing squads. The moments—those magical moments that took place during the hard work in practices, in all of the fine-tuning during regular season games, and in becoming teams greater than the sum of their parts in order to rise to the challenge offered during the CIF playoffs—those were what made this winter so special for the players, the coaches, and all of us here in the Thacher community who were fortunate enough to see the unfolding. —Rich Mazzola, Director of Athletics

Spring 2003 :: 11

late in the season against the two teams that had beaten them in earlier matches. Leadership proved key and came from the senior cocaptains: Chris Cahill at midfield, Nate Parker on defense. Other senior players—Alex Huth, Graham Dunn, Luke Myers—inspired and rallied the many younger players. Retiring Toad Coach Mr. Harris remarked, “My last game as a coach was apt: playing against our archrivals from The Mesa in rain and mud.” And it was a winner, to boot.

Gabe Yette (ultimately voted Most Valuable Player) and James Dibblee built an essentially impenetrable defensive wall at that end of the field. Goalie-midfielder Stephen Rooke, who willingly played at several positions, earned Most Improved. As for Most Inspirational, it went to Evan Werlin, whose Assembly invitations to potential spectators included,“Attractive boys in knee-high socks running around the field! Come watch!” That’s an offer many of us just couldn’t refuse.

THE OUTDOOR PROGRAM

THIRD BOYS’ SOCCER Coach: David Harris Captains: Chris Cahill, Nate Parker High morale (in spite of high numbers of players) persisted throughout the season for this squad, which ended with a respectable record of 3-2-1. Because most of the schools Thacher plays field only varsity and JV teams, our boys generally competed against more skillful opposition. It was especially heartening, then, that our Thirds emerged victorious

Think “kaleidoscopic” when you consider the winter portion of The Outdoor Program: running trails four days a week, studying Wilderness First Aid and receiving certifications, honing map and compass skills in the orienteering component. Led by Raelyn Viti, the almost half dozen (Arielle Flam, Zak Kitnick, Calvin Lieu, Michael Quintana, Drew Fleck) also took two overnight trips up to The Pines, as well as excursions to Big Bear and Snow summit to try their hands—well, feet—at telemarking. Other activities of the season: bouldering, learning Asthanga Yoga, develoriginal artwork by Justin Ouyang oping leadership styles, and working through group dynamic issues. Said their coach, “I would gladly summit any peak with this group. They were able to put aside their differences and work effectively and efficiently as a team.”

Students in Pierre Yoo’s AP Chemistry class take it outside—as part of an experiment to simulate single and double chemical bonding. (You’ll no doubt be relieved to know that no injuries were reported.)

There’s little that beats plopping down on the hill above the lower fields on a sunny afternoon to take in a game your friends are playing down below—unless it’s riding your horse to the same spot and watching the action that way, as many a Thacher student has done over the years. Here, three students choose the former— with that inspiring and inimitable view of The Ojai stretching out before them. (What you can’t see is the wafting scent of orange blossoms in full bloom. Heaven.)

White Spike ■ by Belle Bueti

These three Horse Poems began as a writing assignment in English 1, then were chosen by a panel of equine and poetry experts among the faculty as the best of those submitted for inclusion in this issue of The Post.

Eager to see you at Big Gymkhana Weekend!

Montigo ■ by Josh Cornwell You’re an old firecracker, That kind that fizzles and sputters Then blasts off into the air in a graceful arc And explodes into myriad stars, Behind your tired silver-flecked eyes a fire burns Longing to burst into wild flames, And run free with the wind.

belly big hooves small white legs with infusions of chocolate like you’ve tried to become brown—the shade I’ve always wished for. crux of mouth pink like I’ve pulled You too hard. eyes barren like the Rogaine You tried worked against You. head bobbing like an apple in water, like You are fond of your mouth’s inhabitant. is that all I can give you that will make You happy?

You’re a streak of lightning, Untamable, Beautiful Full of danger and grace, Unstoppable.

Editor Joy Sawyer-Mulligan Production and Design Tim Ditch Photography Joy Sawyer-Mulligan, Janice Kissel (Bianca ’04, Marguerite ’05), Chris Cantle (Ojai Valley News) Cover Photographs Joseph Garcia (Ventura County Star); Louie Elias

You’re a mountain, Immobile, At rest, Gaining strength, Preparing for the coming day. You are Montigo

I can feel it in Your legs I can pick it from Your hooves. You have the wisdom of a wise owl in the oak tree. I know. You know many things. How when Your hoof punches the air and slips past the earthen horse’s leg You never let me know before. Like a thief Your white body enters my heart. You can foresee that You’ll make it without a key. And You think, why lock it? You watch me, silent like You’re unimpressed— You’ve seen it before. The Girl who wants a friend in You. You watch me, silent until I am merely a fly amid the air. like distance is better for us. why not a friend?

I wish I could touch you, and I wish you would respond.

You’re the color of fine wine, Deep burgundy, Aged to robust perfection Making the coy competitors crumble in your comparison, Waiting for the perfect moment to emerge into the light.

Production Credits

On Him by Julia Oh ■

I see land on him. Hills and valleys, Glowing in chestnut Turn into foaming waves Where the four hooves Meet with the real land.

I hear music on him. Snare drums and castanets, Tapping in rhythm Hit the last note Where the tight bridle Loosens his mouth with gentle hope.

I smell nature on him. Grass curled with his lips, Shining in green Invite him to the wild forest Where his gentle breath Whispers to the earth.

I touch the wound on him. Flesh and blood, Flowing in a red stream Will grown in pink again When his mild eyes Gaze at Mother Nature.

original photograph by John Lin

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After what is a season You have become my mount, my eyes my steam train. I am merely A passenger a bridler a mucker a keeper a frie—

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