Thacher Magazine: Fall 2014

The Magazine of The Thacher School * Fall 

Talking About Our Generation Millennials on Millennials

CONTENTS 12 • Armchair Wandering

01

Thriving beneath the surface: Ian Strachan CdeP 2004 reports on the life of an undersea specialist aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird adventure cruise ship.

14 • Talking About Our Generation The media have been telling us who the Millennials are and what they stand for since before they were born—and most of the reports have been far from flattering. As Thacher receives the last of this generation, we thought it was time to hear from them directly about how they see themselves, what they value, and where they are headed.

ON & OFF CAMPUS

ALUMNI & COMMUNITY NEWS

01 • View From Olympus

28 • Gatherings

Michael Mulligan asks the three most important questions we can pose to our teenagers.

04 • The Pergola An assemblage of noteworthy School and community intelligence.

04 FRONT COVER We asked about a dozen Milllennials, all current Thacher students, to stand in as poster children for their generation. And then we asked them to make their own posters to tell us a little about how they see themselves.

Los Angeles photographer Max Gerber captured their portraits, including this one of Alessandro Lorenzoni ‘16, our Top Horseman, who hails from a city not noted for its cowboys: Tokyo, Japan. See more photos from this shoot in the Features section beginning on page 14.

Reunion 2014 and various Thacher gatherings around the world.

32 • Class Notes, etc.

Alumni news, milestones, and news from faculty, staff, and friends.

42 • In Memoriam 45 • The Best We Can Do How one sophomore’s medical emergency at Golden Trout became a mission to help other high schoolers.

VIEW FROM OLYMPUS…

The Last of the Millennials

A

And the three most important questions you can ask a teenager

ACCORDING TO THE SOCIAL SCIENTISTS, the last of the Millennials are now gracing the Thacher campus. If this Thacher crew is any indicator of the health of a generation, we are in good shape. These young men and women are creative, funny, energetic, smart, athletic, musical, artistic, community-oriented, and hardworking. Indeed, the School seems as healthy and vibrant as I have ever seen it. What I do not know, however, is how accurately our Thacher students are indicative of their peers as a whole? It’s a good question. We do have a strong self-selecting group.

To wit: How many eighth graders have even heard of a boarding school?

How many families can afford the tuition? How many families, even if they did know of Thacher, are willing to send their kids away for high school? How many are willing to brave the financial aid application process and the demanding application and recommendation process?

And how many young men and women can even contemplate heading off for days at a time into the rugged mountains carrying their worldly possessions on their backs, or rise early each morning to greet and feed, of all things, a horse? Indeed, Thacher is a rare experiment, and the families who come to our door are doubtlessly an adventurous breed by definition.

The self-selecting nature of Thacher Toads aside, The Pew Research

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Center report on this cohort describes them as “confident, connected, and open to change.” I agree. Technology is their metier. They embrace diversity like no generation before them. They seek to serve the dispossessed and the disadvantaged. They work to find green solutions to the environmental mess we have bequeathed them. In this regard, they are focused and unrelenting: a good thing for all of us.

Beneath their energy and commitment to building a better world, though, is stretched, for too many, a fragile membrane that is easily punctured. We have raised a generation that is plagued with insecurity, anxiety, and despair.

Former Yale Professor William Deresiewicz, in his fascinating and controversial book Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life, writes this of the Millennials: “A largescale survey found self-reports of emotional well-being have fallen to the lowest levels in a 25-year study… fifty percent of college students report feelings of hopelessness; one-third reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function in the last twelve months.... They are stressed-out, over-pressured; [they exhibit] toxic levels of fear, anxiety, depression, emptiness, aimlessness, and isolation.”

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VIEW FROM OLYMPUS… His is not a lone voice.

Adolescent expert Sarah Levine writes that preteens from affluent, well-educated families experience some of the highest rates of depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, somatic complaints, and unhappiness of any group of children in the country. Twenty-two percent of adolescent girls from the affluent experience clinical depression.

College deans from elite schools join the chorus. The Stanford provost writes, for example, (and remember that Stanford is now the most selective university in the country): “Increasingly we are seeing students struggling with mental health concerns ranging from self-esteem issues and developmental disorders to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-mutilation behavior, schizophrenia, and suicidal behavior.”

WHAT GIVES? Deresiewicz claims that this generation of highly accomplished, collegebound students have been robbed of their independence because they have been raised in a petri dish for one purpose only: to attend an elite college that ensures their and their families’ economic and social status.

Instead of being nurtured towards real curiosity and a genuine sense of citizenship, these Millennials are conditioned to think that everything they do is for the purpose of looking good in the eyes of admissions officers and employers: You earn good grades not because they mean you are learning something, but rather because they will help you stand out from your peers when applying to the Ivies. You engage in community service not because you wish genuinely to make a positive difference in the lives of others but rather because that is how you burnish your resume—service as a check-off box. You play sports not because they build character and teamwork and are a whole lot of fun, but because you want to try to get recruited for a college team. You study art or music not because you wish to refine your understanding of human nature, creativity, and culture but because it will help you look smarter.

There is little intrinsic value in what you do. The result: Many college students who fall apart under pressure because they cannot conceive of the fact that hard work and learning are positive outcomes in and of themselves. They have no sense of who they are or what is important in their lives. They have spent so much time trying to look good that they do not know what “The Good” (consider Plato here) really is. They are walking ghosts of seeming, not of being.

Deresiewicz writes: “All the values that once informed the way we raise our children—the cultivation of character, the development of the capacity for democratic citizenship, let alone any emphasis on the pleasure of freedom of play, the part of childhood where you actually get to be a child—all of these are gone.”

He laments: “Beyond the junior careerism, the directionless ambition, the risk aversion, and the Hobbesian competitiveness, the system cultivates some monumental cynicism. Whatever the motives of which they were established, the old WASP admissions criteria actually meant something. Athletics were thought to build character—courage and selflessness and team spirit. The arts embodied an ideal of culture.

Service was designed to foster a public-minded ethos in our future leaders. Leadership itself was understood to be a form of duty.”

The underlying sentiment, and Deresiewicz is correct about this, is that when we teach our children that outcomes are more important than

Previous page: Mr. Mulligan among Millennials.

Above: Caring for others, human or otherwise, and greeting new challenges remain key elements of the Thacher experience.

process they lose the ability to enjoy learning for its own sake. Everything becomes about the end game. The problem is that the end game— whether it turns out as they anticipated or not—is often not intrinsically rewarding. Each effort, each moment, rather than being full as a part of a rich life, is simply degraded into being a mere step in a process that leads to an existential abyss.

The statistics, as related by college deans, adolescent expert Sarah Levine, Professor Deresiewicz, and others, unfortunately bear this out. We have raised a generation of kids who are taught that appearance is more important than substance and that outcomes are more important than character.

As a result, they inhabit empty vessels that lead them to a series of negative behaviors that results in, yes, unhappiness, which they try to erase with empty sex, drugs, alcohol, and what Professor Deresiewicz calls “junior careerism and Hobbesian competitiveness.” The hookups, drugs, and alcohol, of course, just make this abyss deeper and wider.

 FALL 

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THACHER

The Magazine of The Thacher School Volume 8, Issue 2 Fall 2014

WE CAN DO BETTER. Truth is, we know full well that lasting happiness springs from good health, solid values, meaningful work, multiple positive relationships, and selfless service. So how about we cease and desist on the pressure front—and get our eye back on the ball that matters: Stop asking What (What grade did you get? What team did you make?) and begin asking Who, Where, and How? 1) Who tells us who we are?

2) Where do we want to go with our lives?

3) How do we want to get there?

Question One is important because forces are lined up (Internet, television, movies, advertising, just for starters) that tell us who we are is not about how hard we work, how curious we are, or how much we are willing to make a positive difference to others and to our world in distress. No, these forces say: You are what you wear, what you buy, how thin or buff you are, how many like you (on Facebook or anything else)—or, for the elite college bound crowd—where you go to college. When we focus on the wrong things, we create these conditions for monumental cynicism in our kids. Our children need to learn that they are important not for reasons of appearance but for reasons of substance.

Question Two is important because if we believe that the only thing that matters is college and job status, then how can we not end up frustrated, angry, and lonely? Where we want to go with our lives is intrinsically linked to the question of what leads us to fulfillment and happiness. For most of us the answer is passion. We all know we are in the right jobs when how long we work at something is driven by interest and not only about earning a paycheck. The truth is that we are all going to have to work hard to succeed in life, and if that is the case, let’s at least try to work hard on things that matter and that we care about.

Question Three may be the most important because how we get anywhere is as critical as where we end up. Kids cheat in school because they think grades are more important than what they learn. They take shortcuts because they believe the longer, harder path has no value or because they are afraid of stumbling or of being seen as someone who stumbles. They are mean or cruel or uncaring often because they do not like themselves; they feel they cannot make the grade that will earn them a spot at That College. They begin to see others as competitors for those spots—not as fellow journeyers. Diminished self-respect skulks alongside little respect for others. No one wins. Conversely, the world beats a path to the door of an honest person.

To return to where we started: The Millennials are accomplishing great things, caring about important things. But too many of them look inside only to peer into a void that we, at least in part, have helped to create. In our efforts to push our kids ahead, we have forgotten to ask why pushing ahead is important in the first place. What future, what adulthood are they pushing to?

So Generation Z is on its way. Let’s go back to the basics. Let’s help them understand that learning is valuable in and of itself; that hard work, genuine curiosity, and heartfelt passion pave the way to a life well lived; and that real success comes when you can look at your life and say, “I have done my best to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the world we live in.”

EDITOR Christopher J. Land ALUMNI EDITOR Suzie Nixon CLASS NOTES EDITOR Aaron Boydston ARCHIVIST Bonnie LaForge CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mark Lewis DESIGN Charles Hess, design director Lisa Lewis, designer PHOTOGRAPHY Braedon Flynn, Max Gerber, Camille King, Christopher Land, Caitlin Jean Peterson, Theana Snyder, Cam Spaulding CdeP 1992, Dana Vancisin HEAD OF SCHOOL Michael K. Mulligan DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Brandon C. Doyle DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT AND PLANNING William P. McMahon

Thacher is published twice a year by The Thacher School, and is sent free of charge to alumni, parents, and friends of the School. Every effort is made to ensure that contents are accurate and complete. If there is an omission or an error, please accept our apologies and notify us at the address below.

Copyright © 2015 The Thacher School Third class postage is paid at the Oxnard Post Office.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to the following address.

Editor, Thacher Magazine 5025 Thacher Road Ojai, CA 93023 thacher.org thachermagazine@thacher.org 805-640-3201 x264 How to Submit Class Notes Online: blogs.thacher.org/classnotes E-mail: alumni@thacher.org Fax: 805-646-1956 (fax)

Michael K. Mulligan, Head of School

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN READ THACHER MAGAZINE ONLINE? Remember that you can find this and past issues of the magazine in digital form online at thacher.org/magazine. In addition to the full text of each issue, you’ll find related bonus content and media.

Thacher is printed by Ventura Printing using an environmentally friendly waterless printing process, soy-based inks, and recycled paper.

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THE PERGOLA…

FALL FAMILY WEEKEND THIS ANNUAL GATHERING thundered in with the traditional whirlwind of miniclasses, performances, equestrian displays, Mulligan Open House, chapel service, and athletic contests. New this year was a special push to make the weekend a zero-waste event. Working together, the Environmental Action Committee, the Maintenance Department, and the Sustainability Council retooled Thacher’s waste, compost, and recycling receptacles, and educated students, faculty, and parents about what goes where. “Our efforts succeeded at raising our current recycling and composting rate from 35 percent to 70 percent for the weekend,” announced Juan Sánchez, director of sustainability, “and set a benchmark for future efforts.”

From left to right: Karl Nozadze ‘17, Peter Ammons ‘16, and Anthony Nikitopoulos ‘17

Anne Gregory ‘15 and the Jazz Ensemble roll with Proud Mary

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Briggs ‘15 and Bailey ‘15 (above) and Haydon ‘16 and Reade ‘16 (right) try to figure it all out under the stars

MAINE IS FOR LOVERS The Thacher Masquers explored love and loss in this fall’s production of Almost, Maine, a collection of nine vignettes examining the comic complexities of falling in and out of love.

IN SEARCH OF GREENER GRASSES KUMANA PRIZE WINNERS Kipper Berven ’15, Sarah Van Son ’15, and Lukas Ceseña ’15 broke ground on their native grass experiment on the Upper School lawn. The project involves planting dune sedge, which, once established, should use 30 percent to 50 percent of the water needed by a typical fescue turf and has the advantage of going dormant (rather than dying) when unwatered. They’ll also conduct some controlled planting experiments elsewhere to determine just how much less water the dune sedge requires. According to Ed. Bennett, our new director of facilities, this sort of experiment has never been tried. “Basically,” quipped Sarah, “we’re just watching grass grow.”

As part of their ongoing project, the trio replaced some sod in the Middle School Courtyard with dune sedge, a possible turf replacement. “I’m looking forward to seeing it fill in,” says Mr. Bennett, “and reviewing the data the team will be keeping to confirm its performance.”

The turf experiment is just one of two ongoing Kumana Prize projects that will culminate in Senior Exhibition presentations this spring. The other project, an effort to establish a campus system for composting horse manure, was featured in the last issue of Thacher.

What else does sustainability mean to today’s Thacher student activists? For the leaders of the Environmental Action Committee, their environmental awareness and stewardship are benefiting a whole host of community projects, from zero-waste events and eat-local meals to dorm gardens and the Green Cup Challenge. “I’m inspired by the win-win relationship of reducing our environmental impact while simultaneously

Lukas and Kipper busting some sod

benefiting our community,” says Nate Currie ’15, student solar head.

Students, who once saw recycling as their focus, now embrace ever more ambitious projects.

In Thacher’s Hog Program, according to its head Inga Conyngham ’15, “Students feed, care for, and then slaughter the pigs in an effort to become well-informed on the production of their food.” Recently, Inga has focused on coordinating the Hog Program with the Composting Program to further reduce food waste on campus. “We want to develop the initiatives,” offers Lukas, “necessary to make Thacher the sustainable and efficient school we know it can be.”

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THE PERGOLA…

FALL EXTRA-DAY TRIPS AS USUAL, Thacher back-to-school shopping lists included moleskin and sunscreen along with notebooks and highlighters. This year’s adventures included backpacking trips in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks; horsepacking in the Southern Sierra; kayaking trips to Tomales Bay and Catalina; and a circumnavigation of Santa Cruz Island by sailboat. Following tradition, the freshmen and their prefects made for Golden Trout Camp where they went from strangers to future lifetime friends in a matter of days and managed to fit in innumerable card games and pancakes as well as side trips to Langley, Windy Gap, Cottonwood Lakes, etc. For Bo Manson’s interactive, longform chronicle of his Trans-Sierra backpacking trip, visit thacher.org/magazine/ fall2014.

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VERBATIM: “Chuck encouraged us to jump off the lip onto a pillow of fresh powder on our skinny skis and see if we could land the jump.

We tried countless times, and mostly flailed in the deep snow, laughing deeply with the kind of joy that comes from being in the mountains with friends and delighting in the utter sense of freedom and abandonment of pretense.”

— At a campus gathering to celebrate the life of Chuck Warren, Brian Pidduck CdeP 1992 recounted this story about his teacher, mentor, and friend.

QUASQUICENTENNIAL TAKES THE CAKE SHORTLY BEFORE DEPARTING for Winter Break, the campus community marked the ending of Thacher’s 125th year, devoting a Friday Assembly to screening two new films, enjoying some celebratory cake, and giving us what we hope is our last occasion to use that most ungainly of words: quasquicentennial.

Letters Home: Thacher Through the Years is a 20-minute film produced last year by current seniors (pictured left to right below introducing their work) Laura Kirkland, Apollo Kaneko, and Declan Kelly. It captures the sweep of Thacher history in the form of fictional letters home from students. Drawing deeply from the Thacher Archives, the film is narrated by familiar voices (including Peter Robinson’s), and is set to music performed by Thacher students.

The second film, This Is Thacher, is a short video recently commissioned by the Admission Office to help introduce Thacher to prospective families.

The film, which stars Thacher students and our beautiful campus, was scored by composer James Newton Howard CdeP 1969. Michael K. Mulligan supplied the voice-over.

Both films can be viewed on Thacher’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/thacherfilms

NUMERACY AS YOU KNOW, THACHER IS TAKING the reins when it comes to managing manure: We aim to compost into fertilizer every cubic foot of the stuff that is produced on campus.

So here is a timely puzzler: Suppose a 100-pound pile of manure is 99 percent water.

After lying in the sun for a time, it is now 98 percent water.

What is the weight of this slightly dehydrated manure pile?”

RESULTS FROM SPRING 2014 PLAQUE BUILDUP: This puzzle was more challenging than expected. Beatrice Land CdeP 2014 had the most correct with 3 out of 6; George French CdeP 1946 correctly identified 1 out of 6.

(See answer key online at thacher.org/magazine/fall2014.)

Find more detailed coverage of campus news at

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thacher.org/news

NUMERACY The answer was, of course, 125, as correctly determined by Beatrice and George along with Dean Whitter CdeP 1964, Bob Cooper CdeP 1964, and Amber Brown (which is a puzzler for us, because she’s not in our database!).

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THE PERGOLA…

SCOREBOARDS: FALL SPORTS Our first season in the Tri-County Athletic Association (TCAA) brought strong results.

Here are some of the highlights.

FOOTBALL For the second season in three years, the Thacher football team was still standing after all but one other team had gone home, appearing once again in the CIF Southern Section 8-Man Football championship game. Led by CIF Offensive Player-of-the-Year Lukas Ceseña and his senior classmates, including First-Team All-CIF performers John Carey, Nate Currie, and Mitch Weil, this year’s team set a team record for number of wins and entered the CIF S.S. championship 12-0, already having been crowned league champions for the sixth time in 10 years. Unfortunately, the Toads came up short in the home field championship by one heartbreaking point.

TENNIS The girls’ tennis team set new standards for success this year as well. In a season that Coach Pete Fagan called “the best girls tennis campaign in the history of the School,” this group of talented and determined young women reached new heights both individually and as a team. Led by sophomore Libby Kern, league singles MVP, and juniors Grace Callander and Grace Bingham, league doubles MVPs, the team took home the championship in its first Frontier League season. Having beaten sixth-seed Alta-Loma and top-seed Orange in the quarter- and semi-finals of the CIF tournament, the girls were narrowly edged by Maranatha in the championship round.

CROSS COUNTRY Once again, this season found Thacher runners in top form.

The boys won both of their Tri-County Athletic Association meets on the way to securing their ninth consecutive league championship (including eight Condor League victories prior to this year’s move to the TCAA). Led by seniors Jack Richardson and Kevin Griffee as well as junior Peter Callan, the Toads then went on to place 10th in California at the State Championships in Fresno. After finishing fifth in the TCAA behind strong performances

Lukas Ceseña ‘15 (upper left) was named offensive player of the year in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1. Libby Kern (upper right) was named league singles MVP. Both crosscountry teams earned spots at the State Meet.

from seniors Arianna Finger and Emma Rogowski and junior Sarah Voss, the girls team likewise qualified for the State Championships. Having placed sixth in the Southern Section Prelims, the team ran well enough to finish 13th in California at the State Championships.

  FALL 

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FROM THE ARCHIVES 100... 50... 25.... YEARS AGO AT THACHER A Backward Glance Through the Pages of CdeP Publications

TWIN PEEKS

125 years 1889 “Henry Farnam, Casa de Piedra’s first boy, was indeed a tenderfoot on his arrival in the Ojai,” according to Miss Bessie Thacher (Sherman D. Thacher’s sister). “He knew nothing of horses or driving, and we met disaster at our first sharp corner. He was so afraid of going off the steep edge at the right that he drove up the steep bank at the left and tipped over the buggy.”

(Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, Thacher’s Semicentennial Publication No. 1: 1889-1899).

100 years 1914 The Rough-House: After being burned down in 1910 and rebuilt in 1914 “All in all, the “Rough-House” is one of the best appreciated institutions of the school, and it has made rough-housing in the dormitories largely a thing of the past.” (El Archivero, 1915).

75 years 1939 Shacks: “Beetleville, that thriving community of shacks, has been a very busy place this year because of the suddenly increased number of shack parties. Competition in hospitality has reached a new peak, with every shack participating in more and better shack parties.” (El Archivero, 1940)

50 years 1964 September 18: Students enthusiastically attend first day’s classes.

September 19: School recovers from shock of first day’s classes.

(Calendar, El Archivero, 1965)

25 years 1989 T.O.A.D.: This is a rotating duty schedule for teachers. The letters stand for “The Opportunity to Act Dominant.”

Extra-Day Trips: School-wide contests to see how long you can hold out.

Formal Dinner: A reason to take a shower.

(Selected glossary entries from From How to Survive 100 Years of Thacher Tradition in The Thacher Notes, January 1990)

10 years 2004 “Even before the National Association of Independent Schools contacted their schools in hopes of gathering funds to aid the Tsunami victims, five enterprising seniors had already undertaken this task at Thacher.” Students and faculty were “urged to think beyond themselves and help those in dire straits. The final total came in at $8,635, an average of over $35 per student.”

(The Thacher News, Fall 2004/Winter 2005)

5 years 2009 Campus Composters Brianna Bohnett ’10, Alex Macmillan ’10, Kristin Sawyer ’10, and Laura Ammons ’10 introduced a new and improved composting system to the crowd on Wednesday.

(Thacher website news: Week of 10.5.09)

MILLENNIAL TECHNOLOGY THACHER STYLE For some reason, this fall saw a burst of interest in premillennial gadgets including lariats and the bull whip Nick Johnson ‘16 (top) was often seen cracking. As the Millennials make their way through Thacher, these “digital natives” continue to push the limits of technology and its roles in our community. This fall on campus brought conversations about the appropriate use of mobile devices in public spaces.

Cell phones, for example, should be confined to dormitory areas. But what if your phone is also your watch, your camera, your calendar? Laptops are permitted, of course, but what if your laptop is your phone? Our norms and policies continue to evolve. What doesn’t change is the commitment—shared by students and faculty—to keep our campus a place where people are present and available to one another, where technology serves us, not the other way around. To that end, some whip-smart students formed a “Girls Who Code” group.

And Casey Gaughan ’16 (pictured above) used her laptop and independent to help draft a campus sustainability action plan.

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THE PERGOLA… BLURB & SQUIB BOOKS Jim Riley CdeP 1968 has coauthored The Plant Guide: Maritime Succulent Scrub Region, Northwest Baja California, Mexico. This bilingual wildflower guide was designed to reach a broad audience of botanists, conservationists, and laypeople. More than a wildflower identification book, it also is an educational resource for beginners with a brief introduction to plant evolution and a quick guide to plant families. Jim is the founder of the San Mateo Creek Conservancy and is acting manager of Reserva Natural Valle Tranquilo, where he has spent the last two years coordinating biodiversity assessments.

How can you predict who will be a successful leader? When they all look good on paper, how do you make a choice? Clinical psychologist Leslie S. Pratch CdeP 1980 offers some answers in Looks Good on Paper?: Using In-Depth Personality Assessment to Predict Leadership Performance.

Published by Columbia Business School over the summer, this book focuses on the psychological trait of “active coping” and provides a useful rubric for the evaluation of potential leaders.

Happiness expert and Thacher trustee Christine Carter CdeP 1990 has just published another book.

The subtitle says it all: “How to find your groove at home and work.” Deepak Chopra describes it like this: “When you are living in your sweet spot you feel both calm and energetic, accomplished and joyful, strong and at ease. Dr. Christine Carter’s The Sweet Spot illuminates the simple and sustainable path toward this precious and happy balance.”

Leslie Pratch offers tools for predicting successful leadership.

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BLURB & SQUIB JOURNALISM Rukmini Callimachi CdeP 1991 has broken several major stories in the New York Times in recent months. Focusing on al-Qaeda and Islamic extremism, Rukmini’s journalism—often taking the front page—has exposed the role of kidnapping, ransoms, and slavery in the operations of ISIS and al-Qaeda.

Interviewed by CNN and NPR’s Fresh Air.

MUSIC Hannah Hooper CdeP 2000 and her band, Grouplove, toured this summer in support of their 2013 album, Spreading Rumours, from which the song Shark Attack made it into the US alternative top 20. Another song, Let Me In, was featured on the soundtrack for The Fault in Our Stars.

TELEVISION The latest role for Jonathan Tucker CdeP 2001 is Jay on the show Kingdom (on DirectTV’s Audience Channel). This “raw family drama” is set in Venice, California, and focuses on the world of mixed martial arts. Variety describes it as a “solid drama” that delivers a “surprisingly potent punch.” His Thacher friends will no doubt chuckle through an early scene in which Jonathan is clad only in an Indian headdress and white sunglasses, but it’s not all giggles, as Jonathan learned when shooting a fight scene sent him to Cedars Sinai for stitches.

According to the New York Daily News, viewers will find “solid setups here for tales of love, redemption, friendship and the same championship dreams that made Rocky an American icon.”

FILM If you are on the film festival circuit, keep an eye out for The Philosopher King, a new film starring Seumas Sargent CdeP 1995. The story follows the reconnection and reconciliation of two brothers as they take a road trip through Sweden. It was recently selected as one of eight films for screening at the Milton Festival in Ontario, Canada, with the hope of more showings to follow.

Seumas Sargent is the one on the left (top) and that’s Jonathan Tucker sporting the topknot in the middle (left).

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ARMCHAIR WANDERING…

Thriving Beneath the Surface A One-Time Aspiring Astronaut Finds Himself Deep in Anemone Territory by Ian Strachan CdeP 2004

A

NOWCLICHÉD TOLKIEN

quotation still holds value, as once you step onto the road there truly is no knowing where you might be swept off to. One can mentally wander down the infinite myriad of forked paths, each one leading to a different life, and as a result almost be paralyzed by choice. Sometimes decisions are made for you, such as the somewhat distressing realization that you’ve grown too tall to be an astronaut, something I correlate strongly with the amazing quality and quantity of food almost constantly available during my four years at Thacher. Crushing as it is to be discriminated against for being a paltry six feet four, I somehow managed to accept that I could still have an adventurous life. It isn’t until I look back on my life now that I realize that the route I’ve chosen actually ended up being not all that dissimilar from what I had dreamed of as daydreaming teenager at the top of the hill at 5025 Thacher Road.

I had initially been looking for any sort of work out of college that met a short list of requirements: that I would actually be getting paid, I wouldn’t have to worry about room or board, I would be working with people, and, most importantly, that I’d be traveling. An expedition tourism ship ticked all those boxes and, what started out as a six-month deckhand contract with Lindblad Expeditions (an ecotourism company partnered with National Geographic), has turned into a profession that sends me all over the world. Over the past five years I have worked my way up the ranks, from a lowly swabber of decks to a licensed

watch-standing officer until I abandoned my Patrick O’Brien-esque career track and joined the expedition team to follow my true passion of sharing the wonders of the natural world with others wherever it can be reached by ship, from Antarctica to the Arctic and everywhere in between.

SHARING THE WONDERS OF THE NATURAL WORLD WITH OTHERS Southeast Alaska will forever remain a fixture in my travels and never ceases to amaze me. The northern end of the Inside Passage is a relatively accessible wilderness full of life for those willing to risk getting a little wet. The rain is usually less of an issue for me because for the last two years I’ve been the undersea specialist on board the National Geographic Sea Bird. This requires donning a bulky dry suit and plunging into the brisk 38-degree water to film the amazing multitude of life that exists in these nutrient-rich depths. Sea stars bigger than car tires, curious giant pacific octopuses, coy wolf eels, and anemones as long as your leg are all thriving just beneath the unassuming calm surface. The shift of colors from the deep greens of the temperate rainforest above to the pinks, yellows, and reds below can be almost jarring, as they are every bit as vibrant as a coral reef. The most exciting aspect of being able to dive in these waters is that it is pure exploration. The footage that I return with to share with the guests on board is their first look at many of these locations, as Alaska has yet to appeal to the overwhelming majority of sane divers.

It’s not so bad out of the water either, and I am always in awe of the sheer scale of the landscape that these expeditions are able to intimately navigate due to the comparatively small size of the 160-foot ship. With our small fleet of Zodiacs on board there is almost no limit to what a day can look like. It could be watching sea otters roll around in the bull kelp, kayaking in

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“When your office is the bow of a ship, you might as well have an unbeatable view.” Above and below the surface, Ian’s camera records his experiences with National Geographic Expeditions. See more of his photos on Instagram: @ianjstrachan

front of waterfalls where brown bears gorge themselves on unlucky salmon, or sailing through the massive granite fjords to end at glaciers that tower hundreds feet above. When your office is the bow of a ship, you might as well have an unbeatable view. Also the commute from my cabin is under a minute even with traffic, so that’s pretty manageable. One of the advantages of sleeping below the water line is getting to hear the more acoustically oriented marine mammals vocalizing as the clicks and squeals of porpoise and killer whales will resonate through the steel hull. Marine mammals have always held a very special place in my heart and Southeast Alaska happens to be the summer migration point for all the Hawaiian-born Humpback whales. These leviathans can reach

up to 45 feet in length and are in the region to feed. Cooperative groups will sometimes “cast” a ring of bubbles beneath a frightened school of fish, creating a cylinder of air that their less intelligent prey won’t pass through. Taking advantage of this, the whales pack tightly together and surge up from the bottom of this net to the surface, giant mouths agape to swallow behemoth gulps of herring. This unique behavior happens in very few places on the planet, and can occur continuously for hours, much to the delight of all on board.

THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT A DAY CAN LOOK LIKE Being immersed in this stunning natural world is a true privilege and I wake up excited

to explore every day, wherever that might happen to be. It’s witnessing these wonders that has kept me out on the seas, spending brief snippets of time abusing the never-ending hospitality of Matt Stenovec CdeP 2004 (my sophomore and junior-year roommate) and his wife, Molly, in Seattle, before shipping out again to the far corners of the globe. Now I have a quiet moment to sit in my cabin below the waterline, while the ship powers onwards around Borneo through the South China Sea. Upon arrival, we’ll launch our Zodiac shuttles and I’ll suit up and dive down to what is essentially an alien planet, looking for strange and exotic creatures. It occurs to me that maybe I never needed to go to space to experience all the perks of being an astronaut.

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Talking About Our Generation Millennials on Millennials Photos by Max Gerber

School Chair Owen Driscoll ‘15 captures the ethical sensibility he shares with many of his cohort, while Elizabeth Zhang ‘16 exhibits another trait commonly attributed to Millennials: a willingness to question authority.

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WHO ARE THE MILLENNIALS and why have people been saying such horrible things about them? Arguably, no rising generation has been the subject of more scrutiny than the cohort born between 1980 and 2000. Early reports were not complimentary. Millennials (also known as Generation Y) have been labeled in the media as coddled narcissists accustomed to collecting trophies for just showing up, or as selfie-obsessed digital natives. Perhaps we ought to consider the source. After all, the Boomers and Generation Xers pointing the fingers are not beyond reproach. Who doled out those trophies and put the smart phones in those young hands? Who are the helicopter parents supplying all of the excessive scrutiny in the first place? Taking a longer view, none of this is very surprising.

Doesn’t every generation see the one that follows as more spoiled and self-centered? And what parent doesn’t tell a few “when I was a kid…” stories of dubious veracity? There is a pattern to this, of course, and part of that pattern is the moment when a generation claims its own voice. Which brings us back to a crucial question that Michael Mulligan has been posing this year to Thacher students: “Who tells you who you are?” Individually or collectively, who will tell the Millennials who they are? Well, the grownups have had the floor for a long time, and a lot of what they’ve had to say about Millennials hasn’t been very fair or accurate. Those of us who invest our hopes and energies in the young have been happy to see in recent months that publications including the Atlantic and The Week have questioned “the persistent myth of the narcissistic millennial.” Which led us to think, as Thacher prepares to receive the last of this generation, and as many more of them settle into their seats at the adult table, that it was high time we heard what they think.

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Who Are

acher Millennials Tell Us Who ey Are and What Matters to em. By Mark Lewis

AMERICA’S MILLENNIAL GENERATION,

Each generation finds itself pigeonholed by its predecessors.

born between 1980 and 2000, is just now coming of age, yet already the end is in sight, at least at acher: e freshmen who arrived on campus this fall represent the last class of Millennials that will pass through the school.

Meanwhile, the cohort’s first wave, which began with the class of 1998, has now been out of college long enough to establish a track record. So this seemed like an appropriate time for acher Magazine to poll its Millennial alums about how they view themselves in the context of their generation. e Millennials are the children of the Baby Boomers, and to a lesser extent, of Generation X. ey constitute an enormous group, some 80 million strong, and they soon will comprise a majority of the workforce. But their Boomer and Gen X bosses sometimes find it challenging to manage them.

e

Each rising generation typically finds itself pigeonholed and reduced to a caricature by its predecessors, and the Millennials are no exception. eir elders describe them as techsavvy, environmentally aware, confident, optimistic, and tolerant—but also as narcissistic, with a strong sense of entitlement and little sense of loyalty to their employers.

How do acher Millennials describe themselves? Our survey results cannot be considered scientific, as our 183 respondents comprise a self-selected sample. Nevertheless, a clear pattern emerges: Unsurprisingly, our Millennials embrace all the positive stereotypes about their generation and reject the negative ones. ey expect a lot from life, and they exude confidence about their ability to shape their own futures.

“What is most apparent to me about my generation of acher Toads is that we want

Eliza Gregory CdeP 1999: artist and educator in San Francisco.

About myself: I graduated from Princeton in 2003 with a degree in comparative literature.

I worked as a photo assistant; teacher (at acher); humanitarian aid intern; in strategic communications; and writer. Along the way, I married Ryan Meyer CdeP 1998. All the time I was working for myself, producing project-based, socially engaged art. In 2012, I gave birth to my daughter, Ainsley Evelyn Meyer. In 2014 I earned an MFA from Portland State University.

I’m a photographer and a social practice artist with a thoughtful, complex, and relationship-focused project style. I’ve taught at the high school and university level and conducted workshops for an extremely diverse range of participants from female juvenile sex offenders to Australian engineers to teenagers at an elite boarding school.

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On being a acher Millennial: When I look at my acher classmates, I see courage. Not high drama courage, but the kind of courage it takes to really be awake in your life, and to do things you care deeply about. I see people doing what everybody else in the world is doing, but I see my classmates doing it with a sense of self that is different. I see people knowing who they are and taking risks— even when those risks might not always be recognized as risks from the outside.

A good education is not about prestige— it’s about acquiring real, useful tools to help you make your way in the world; to make a difference in the lives of others; and to be able to make yourself happy. acher delivers a good education because it has figured out how to help teenagers become themselves, while also learning how to care for others and for the place they live in.

Millennials? to seek a meaningful life,” says Bianca Russell CdeP 2004, a second-year medical resident in Cincinnati. “It was wonderful to reconnect with so many of my classmates at our 10-year reunion in June and to hear about everyone’s lives. They couldn’t be more unique and more fitting with all our personalities. People seemed to be following their hearts and working towards something they were proud to be doing. Many people were still searching for their perfect fit but I left feeling confident that we would all find our niche.”

Within the Millennial cohort, there are significant differences between those born in the 1980s and their younger siblings. Tim Stenovec CdeP 2002, who covers technology for the Huffington Post, notes that people like him who entered the workforce before 2008 have had an easier time of it than many younger Millennials, who graduated from college into the

teeth of the Great Recession.

Another intra-generational difference is that the younger Millennials generally are more deserving of the “digital native” label than older ones like Stenovec. The younger ones grew up in a mobile-app world and take it for granted, whereas the older ones still can remember that primitive age when cell phones were used mostly for talking, and you had to sit down at a desk to access the Internet.

“I was born in 1984,” Stenovec says. “Facebook became popular when I was a junior in college, and I didn’t even get a smartphone until I was 25.”

The younger Millennials, having grown up in a digitally networked world, can be seen as comprising a virtual community in ways unknown to previous generations (and to many of their older siblings). But Maxwell Barbakow CdeP 2007 worries that this idea

# I see people prioritizing their families, and being unwilling to sacrifice family for ambition.

Bennett Barbakow CdeP 2000: media entrepreneur and composer in Los Angeles About myself: After Thacher, I went to Brown from 2000 to 2004 and built my major in integrated arts and media. I have two small companies: One is an L.A.-based production company called Test Pattern, the other a bi-coastal music company called HumaHuma. As an individual artist, I am a director and composer, working on mostly commercials, music videos, documentary work, film and video. I am so fortunate to be working with my brother Maxwell (CdeP 2007). I produced and scored his feature documentary Mommy, I’m a Bastard!, and he produced my recent short, Byron’s Theme.

On being a Thacher Millennial: Thacher builds individuals who think for themselves, and I am incredibly thankful for the support and push in that direction that Thacher offered me. I think it is a unique and magical place (sure, I’ll say ‘utopia’) that, at its absolute core, creates a hunger for learning and an inability to follow in others’ footsteps when we can carve our own path instead.

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Who Are The Millennials? # We were educated to think freely and explore the world around us, to not settle.

of connectedness has given rise to a self-reinforcing stereotype.

“To be honest, it’s a frustrating stereotype because a lot of the negatives accompanying our generation (access to excess—information, material, content—and the resulting expectation of immediate gratification) are only exacerbated by non-Millennials trying to put a label on who we are, which a lot of Millennials then see and take literally as to who they actually should be,” says Barbakow, a Los Angeles filmmaker.

But he sees this is less of a problem for Thacher Millennials: “I think my Thacher peers break the mold here as we were educated to think freely and explore the world around us, to not settle, and to embrace a wanderlust, intellectually, emotionally, and physically.”

Barbakow is not alone in detecting a substantial difference between his Thacher and non-Thacher peers. Half of our survey respondents endorsed that idea. Thacher Millennials, they aver, are more green-minded, more confi-

dent, and more charitable than other Millennials—and less lazy and disloyal.

The “lazy” and “disloyal” labels are part of a frequently heard critique of the Millennial Generation, which is that it was shaped by a culture of narcissism. The Millennials’ helicopter parents hovered over them throughout their childhoods, offering constant attention and endless affirmation that they were special. Every time they entered a contest, they got a trophy. Now, as young employees, they expect lots of attention from their bosses and frequent promotions, even though they are unwilling to put in long hours at the office. Moreover, they hop from job to job instead of showing loyalty to their employers by staying put.

That’s the stereotype. The reality, according to many Thacher Millennials, is more complex.

“We do move around quite a bit,” concedes Conor Farese CdeP 2006, who works on strategic projects for a solar distributor in San Francisco. But this job-hopping reflects a deliberate

Stephanie Hubbard McGirt CdeP 2002: medical resident in New Mexico About myself: After graduating from Thacher, I went to Stanford University to major in international relations and graduated in 2006. During college, I did an internship with the U.S. Senate and studied for a year in Paris.

After graduating from Stanford, I moved back to New Mexico, and then I got married, had a baby, and started medical school at the University of New Mexico. During medical school, I was very active with several volunteer activities, from mentoring Native American students to working with the March of Dimes. My research interests have been on breastfeeding benefits and practices. I had another baby during medical school and I graduated with my MD this spring and then started my residency at UNM in family medicine in June.

On being a Thacher Millennial: May we “do the best work in the world that we can ’til the best we can do is all done.” With many of my closest friends from Thacher, this seems to guide many of their choices in their careers. While I have met many people that seem to do their best for their own glory (unfortunately, there were too many to count at Stanford), there are many of us from Thacher who seem to genuinely want to make a positive impact in the world, helping whatever community they are committed to, whether through work or volunteering.

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# They hop from job to job strategy of pursuing different kinds of opportunities, Farese says.

Compared with their elders, Millennials are far less willing to bury themselves in one place for years, or to accept work that is boring.

They want to learn new things and be creative.

The same thing goes for working long hours: Millennials will work like dogs if they can see a worthwhile reward for the effort. If not, they have better things to do with their time— such as starting their own businesses.

“There’s less willingness to jump into something that you’re not excited about doing,” Farese says.

Any 14-year-old who arrives at Thacher with a sense of entitlement soon loses it, says Charlie Munzig CdeP 2003, an investment fund manager at the Carlyle Group in New York.

“It’s hard to be lazy at Thacher. They really instill a work ethic into you,” Munzig says.

“They expect a certain level of maturity from you from a very young age. … And that carries

on as you get older.”

While many Baby Boomer bosses apparently have issues with their Millennial employees, the Boomers within the Thacher community have a more positive view. When we surveyed them and asked them to describe the Millennials, they rejected such negative labels as “disloyal,” “lazy,” and “narcissistic.” Of course, many of these Boomer survey respondents are the proud parents of Thacher Millennials, which may tend to color their thinking.

Some of these Boomer parents recently have become grandparents, notes Eliza Gregory CdeP 1999, an artist and educator in San Francisco, and the mother of a 2-year-old daughter. The eldest Thacher Millennials, now in their mid 30s, are embracing parenthood, and thriving within the cocoons of their multigenerational families.

“I see my Thacher peers diverging from my college friends in the way they are finding happiness,” Gregory says. “I see them weaving their work and their family together in beautiful

instead of showing loyalty to their employers.

Photo: Damon Dahlen

Tim Stenovec CdeP 2002: technology reporter at the Huffington Post About myself: I spent the summer between my junior and senior years of college—I was a history major at Colby College in Waterville, Maine—doing an internship at Plum TV, a startup TV station in Vail, Colo. I didn’t really have a plan after I graduated, but I knew people in Colorado, and I wanted to ski and mountain bike, so I packed up my car and drove west. My plan was to wait tables at a local restaurant in Vail, but as I was driving out to Colorado, Plum TV called and offered me a job.

I spent three years in Vail, doing all sorts of jobs at the TV station—I was the host of the live morning show; I produced, shot, and edited videos; and I did sales and marketing.

But I soon realized I wanted to go into journalism, so I applied to journalism school, ultimately deciding on a web innovation in journalism program at New York University.

And that’s how I got to New York in 2009.

Since 2011, I’ve been at the Huffington Post, where I write about the future of TV and companies like Apple, Netflix, and Amazon.

On being a Thacher Millennial: Thacher students are exposed to so much outside of the typical high school student’s world— EDTs, dorm life, cultural events, caring for horses, a rotating cast of speakers and luminaries, not to say anything of the small classes with incredible teachers—that they emerge incredibly well-rounded and mature.

At Thacher, I learned how to write and how to express my ideas and arguments clearly and concisely. This has been invaluable in my career. I also think that Thacher helped instill a desire not only to do well, but to do good—to find a career that you not only find fulfilling, but that also has a purpose.

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Who Are The Millennials?

# Many of us lucky enough to be at Thacher were given the confidence to feel like we do have the means to change the world.

ways. I see that in people choosing to become parents, and the ways in which they invest time and energy in their partnerships. I see people prioritizing their families, and being unwilling to sacrifice family for ambition.

“But I also see it in the ways that my Thacher classmates relate to their parents and extended families,” she adds. “I see my classmates carrying on family businesses (which I never hear being connected to this generation of young people), but with their own innovations and original approaches to that kind of legacy. I think of people entering into the same careers that their parents did, not in the context of a family business, but in a context of deep respect and admiration for the example their parents set.”

Whether they are embarking on parenthood or fresh out of college or still learning now to navigate their way around the Thacher campus, these Millennials have much in common, says Stephanie Hubbard McGirt CdeP 2002.

“I think many of us lucky enough to be at

Thacher were given the confidence to feel like we do have the means to change the world,” says McGirt, a first-year medical resident in New Mexico. “I think it’s all how one is set up in life, whether they come from a place, a family, an education that makes them feel empowered but not entitled. I always feel so fortunate to have had time at such a wonderful place with some really great people who shared my values and enthusiasm for life.”

Which brings us back to Bianca Russell, who was so inspired by her former classmates at their recent 10-year reunion.

“True to the Millennial stereotype, we weren’t settling,” she says. “We were all idealistic that we would find that pie in the sky but where we differed from the Millennial stereotype is that I believe we are all going to reach our goals. Maybe that’s the fantasy of a true Millennial, but I have no doubt that at my 15-year reunion I am going to be just as proud of my amazing friends and their families.”

Bianca Russell CdeP 2004: medical resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center pediatrics and medical genetics program. I may be saddled with a large amount of debt; I may have been 28 years old before I had my first full-time job; and I may still pull all-nighters on a regular basis; but I wouldn’t change a thing.

On being a Thacher Millennial: What is most apparent to me about my generation of Thacher Toads is that we want to seek a meaningful life. I can’t predict who I would have become without a Thacher education.

Maybe I would still be the same person I am today (minus the amazing friends and years of wonderful memories). But I know Thacher showed me how to work hard, respect others and nature, communicate effectively, and to be adaptable. In my life, these are all skills that have served me well, and have never let me shy away from a challenge.

Photo: Theana Snyder

About myself: I graduated from Connecticut College in 2008 with a BA in environmental studies. I had seriously considered a career in ecology, but I was incredibly frustrated that nobody was listening to what ecologists had to say about the impact and existence of global warming. I felt like I needed to have a more immediate impact on humanity on a day-to-day basis, and I needed people to listen to the science and to what I was saying.

So I moved towards medicine.

I lived in the Andes Mountains of Peru the summer between my junior and senior years of college and worked at a small medical clinic. That’s all it took. I was hooked. I completed my MD degree at UC Irvine, where I found my inspiration working with children, and discovered the amazing world of clinical genetics. I am now a second-year resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in a combined

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Millennial Survey Results With all the things that have been written and said about Millennials since they came along, we wanted to know how the Millennials would describe themselves. So we gave them a list of the most common descriptors (gleaned from the 2014 Pew survey and various mainstream media stories) and asked them to indicate which ones fit and which ones didn’t.

We sent one survey to 918 post-Thacher Millennials (which we took to be those who graduated from 1998-2012). We had 183 surveys completed for an impressive 19 percent response rate, which tells you something right there about our Millennials.

We also surveyed 811 members of Thacher classes from 1968-1988, thinking that they could speak for the parents and managers of Millennials. From this group we had 98 completed surveys for a 12 percent response rate.

Thacher Millennias Describe Themselves As: Tech Savvy Networked with friends Environmentally aware Tolerant Accepting of difference Stressed Liberal Confident Career-changing Idealistic Ambitious Empowered

92.0 89.3 87.4 85.9 85.2 83.6 82.4 79.3 78.5 77.7 77.3 75.6

%

And Not: Disloyal Conventional Committed to a political party Patriotic

72.9 72.7 61.4 61.1

%

Maxwell Barbakow CdeP 2007: filmaker in Los Angeles About myself: After graduating from Yale in 2011 with a degree in American studies, my life has been pretty nomadic. I backpacked with Thacher friends throughout Southeast Asia and India before moving to New York, where I worked freelance as a director and videographer, creating short Web content for companies like ABC News, Fusion, and Participant Media (the last alongside my big brother Bennett CdeP 2000). I then worked in Boston on David O. Russell’s film American Hustle as a location assistant.

I’m most proud to have completed my first feature film, Mommy, I’m a Bastard! (a documentary about my open adoption and my families), and to have produced Bennett’s short film Byron’s Theme. I’m currently in my last year as a directing fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles, working towards an MFA and in production

with my thesis film, which will shoot in early March.

On being a Thacher Millennial: I feel that my Thacher Millennial peers and I are less concerned with the destination and more open to the journey and whatever that may bring. Yes, there’s a confidence there, but I think it’s due to the way Thacher guided us toward independence and self-sufficiency, forcing us to navigate being vulnerable and uncomfortable, and get past not knowing by sacking up and doing—in the classroom, in the Sespe, on the playing field, on a pony or a horse.

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Compared to alumni, the lives of current students are more of a blank page, but we wanted to hear from them nevertheless. So we invited a selection—boys and girls, freshmen through seniors—to the campus photo studio, where Los Angeles photographer Max Gerber had set up his white backdrop. Before we set them in front of the camera, we asked each to write a statement that spoke to their idea of what it means to be a Millennial. And we love what we got from (facing page) Kenlyn Mirbach ‘15, (left to right top row) Bynk Chanuntranont ‘17, Emma Freedman ‘17, Valerie Mendez ‘16, (left to right bottom row) Santi Vargas Garcia ‘16, Helena Girardoni ‘18, and Michael Ratsimbazafy ‘18.

If these are the Millennials, our future is in good hands.

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From the Mouths of Millennials Since they were born, Millennials have been relentlessly scrutinized, analyzed, and, in many cases, pathologized. So, we thought it was only fair to hear directly from more of them than we could fit in the profiles on the preceeding pages.

Here, in their own words, a few more Thacher Millennials talk about their lives and some of the things that matter most to them.

Eric Butts CdeP 2001

Jessica Cornwell CdeP 2004

A CPA with an MBA, Eric lives in the Bay Area and works for PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He attended Claremont McKenna College and Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. He spends most of his philanthropic energy as a mentor for MLT, an organization that helped him in his career.

Following graduation from Stanford, Jessica earned a master’s in theater. Today, she is a full-time writer who divides her time between London and Ojai, where she was raised. Her soon-to-be-published first novel, The Serpent Papers, is a contemporary thriller set in Barcelona and filled with gothic intrigue, alchemy, and witches.

At Work I assume I have complete control, because nobody else will look out for my professional wants/needs better than I will.

At Work My work consumes me. I’m new to being a writer, and it isn’t easy. But I passionately love what I do, and that helps hugely. I have learned to embrace change, even when it is not welcome or expected.

Something fascinating always comes of difference, of newness, of rupture.

For Fun I play basketball, check out the various local playgrounds with my family, and get talked into YouTubing various crafts my daughter wants to try to make.

Recent Splurge My TV last black Friday, but I believe there’s an iPhone 6 plus in my near future.

Generation Gap Analysis The biggest difference I notice between me and my parents is that I lack their English accent. Otherwise, I find that I am actually shockingly similar.

Melanie Larkins CdeP 1999

Claire Milligan CdeP 2002

Richard Smith CdeP 2003

After UC Berkeley, Mel earned two MBAs and a graduate certificate in business administration. She works as a consultant and is a member of several nonprofts, including A Better Chance, Surfrider Foundation, and the Georgia Aquarium.

A graduate of Stanford, Claire lives in San Francisco and works to ensure that her company’s expense report software is as easy to use and intuitive as possible. She and her wife are active volunteers and supporters of social causes.

A graduate of USC with a bachelor’s in business administration and finance, Richard now lives in San Francisco, where he works on business development and partnerships for URX, a mobile search company. Outside of work he has helped launch a soccer-based nonprofit.

At Work I am always looking for ways to improve the world around me in my personal life and at work. I like change, and the challenges it brings, because with change comes growth and vice versa. I do not like to be stagnant and I like to be supported by my organization to grow.

On Connections My strongest sense of connection is to my family. And, for me, this family is not necessarily all blood-related. There are certain people, especially friends I made at Thacher, that have become my family.

On Connections From a young age, I was taught that it is the responsibility of those who are lucky to be privileged to help others who are not as fortunate. This has become a fundamental belief of mine and I feel as though it applies in a broad array of life scenarios even beyond philanthropy. It’s basic human kindness and a commitment to look out for others. I hope I can pass this along to my future children as well.

Difference from Parents I’m less concerned with other peoples’ opinions and expectations than they are.

For Fun As far as fun goes, family and friends are important to me. A lot of my closest friendships were formed through sports and so, not surprisingly sports and an active lifestyle are still a big part of my life and what I do for fun. That and spending time with family.

Favorite Gadget Smart phone. We’re seriously just at the beginning of tapping the potential of having a ‘super’ computer in our pocket and the whole ecosystem of connected devices is still in its infancy.

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Whitney Livermore CdeP 2004

Ruth Sawyer CdeP 2006

Olivia Jacobsen CdeP 2007

After graduating from Williams College and living in, among other places, Taipei, Whitney now lives above the Business Office on the Thacher campus. Armed with a master’s in teaching from University of San Francisco, she teaches history, coaches varsity girls’ basketball, and helps out in the Admission Office. A loyal and active Thacher alumna, she supports her schools—the ones she’s attended and the ones where she’s worked.

Following her graduation from Vassar College, Ruth lived in Vermont and California before moving to Seattle, where she works in outdoor experiential education. She’s also an active participant in a couple of projects that aim to address economic inequality in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

After parlaying her undergrad degree from the University of Vermont into a gig at a NYC-based management consulting firm, Olivia is now applying to nursing schools. Living in Charleston, she volunteers for a free medical clinic that provides care to uninsured patients who can’t afford healthcare.

At Work At the Social Justice Fund I’m working with a cross-class, cross-race group of people to raise money and make grants to social justice work in this area.

For Fun I love to cook and explore the food cultures of different cities and towns. I probably spend too much time on Netflix and not enough reading, but I’m trying to change that about myself!

On Connection I am deeply connected to Thacher, of course—as a place and an institution, as well as a collection of people (faculty and staff) who I respect and appreciate immensely. The same goes for my classmates.

Despite not talking to or visiting with many of them very often, the connection that I feel among us as a group is the strongest of any large identity group to which I belong.

Millennial Credentials Our generation came of age in a time of extreme wealth inequality and environmental degradation that our systems do not seem to address at all. I don’t know if this is unique to us, but I think we walk a fine line between cynicism and hope.

Sarah Chamberlain CdeP 2005

Lucy Bosche CdeP 2007

With an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and a master’s from the University of Edinburgh, Sarah now lives in London where she manages individual fundraising for The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Her philanthropy isn’t limited to her day job; she contributes to some charities that are important to her and volunteers at a local homeless shelter.

A graduate of Scripps, Lucy enriched her college career with world travel and not one but two gap years—the first to travel through Canada and Central America, and the second to work on a dude ranch in Colorado and at a wilderness therapy program in Utah. Today, she is in Bend, Oregon, working at New Leaf Academy, an all-girls therapeutic boarding school.

At Work After multiple internships and short-term contracts, I am finally settled into a permanent role. I really enjoy and am proud of the work I do, but I also think my career is not my entire life.

At Work I expect my job to be soul-nourishing work. My soul can be nourished in a number of fashions, through physical labor, artistic expression, or brain bending problem solving. I am terrified to even mentally entertain the idea of working in a cubicle.

For Fun I read a lot! Two to three books a week, mainly fiction but some history, travel, and food writing thrown in. I also like cooking and going to restaurants, travelling, visiting museums, and going to films.

Recent Splurge Gearing up to through-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, my boyfriend and I have been indulging in super lightweight gear.

Recent Splurge A commercial-grade blender Millennial Credentials I’m seeking a career that I’m passionate about and that allows me to help others, but I’m not on social media :)

My generation was preceded by generations in which people were encouraged to live bigger and better than those who came before them.

Generation Y is in a unique position in which we still have a residual lust for expansiveness but concrete evidence that we must humble ourselves as humans.

- Lucy Bosche CdeP 2007

THE THACHER SCHOOL 

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 FALL 

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Not all of the networking done by Kami SimsTraylor ‘15 (left) is digital; She is also co-founder of Thacher’s first Black Student Union. Kipper Berven ‘15 is one of the heads of Thacher’s Environmental Action Committee and part of a pilot project aimed at replacing some of Thacher’s thirsty lawns with droughttolerant native turfs.

THE THACHER SCHOOL 

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GATHERINGS…

FALL GATHERINGS This fall, Head of School Michael Mulligan, trustees, faculty, and staff traveled around the country and across the Pacific to join alumni, family, and friends in celebrating and affirming our ever-expanding community. We are so grateful for all who attended and, especially, for hosts who opened their homes and provided access to a wide array of venues.

P

ARENTS Gretchen and Bruce Jacobsen (Sara ’17) hosted a group of approximately 50 in their beautiful, hillside Seattle home.

Parents Katy Durant and Gordon Sondlond (Max ’16) hosted a tour and gathering at the Portland Art Museum in Oregon.

Grandparents Bill and Katharine DeWitt (John ’16 and Libby ’17 Kern) hosted a Thacher box at the Cubs vs. Cardinals game in Chicago.

Director of the Alumni Fund Derick Perry CdeP 1983 hosted young alumni gatherings in New York City and San Francisco.

Parents Ella and Scott Brittingham (Poppy ’17) shared their lovely home and its ocean views with our Santa Barbara community as they gathered to connect and be entertained and inspired by stories of student life on campus.

Brad Hanson CdeP 1978, past Thacher trustee and board member of the USC Pacific Asia Museum, introduced us to this Pasadena venue, the perfect locale for sharing news about our expanding Global Studies program.

Parent and trustee David Chao CdeP 1984 (David CdeP 2014 and Lukas ’17 Chao) and parents Kathy Matsui and Jesper Koll (Tycho ’15 and Pria ’18) hosted a dinner party in Tokyo at the Roppongi Hills Club.

In Seoul, a gracious dinner was hosted at the Shilla Hotel by several parents including: Hyun Nam Shim and Jong Hyuk Yoon (parents of Ben ’15), Julie Choi and Sangman Han (parents of Lucy CdeP 2012 and Ann ’15), Injung Ha and Sungbin Im (parents of Eric ’16), Joo Hyun Lee and

In Jun Song (parents of Ashley ’16), Susan Kim and Kyusik Roh (parents of Braden ’17), Pamela Hong and Kwang Hee Lee (parents of Jay Won ’18), Joo Hyun Nam and Sechang Oh (parents of Kelly ’18), So Young and Joon Young Choi (parents of Paul ’17), Sally Sohn and Yong Woo Sohn (Parents of Lane CdeP 2014 and Griffin ’16).

Parents Hong and Kaige Chen (Alexander Yuang Chen ’15), Meg Bi and David Zhang (parents of Elizabeth ’16 ), and David Chao CdeP 1984 (David CdeP 2014 and Lukas ’17 Chao) hosted a dinner party in Beijing.

Parents Limei Zhang and Michael Jiang (parents of Marc ’16) and David Chao CdeP 1984 (parent of David CdeP 2014 and Lukas ’17) hosted a dinner party in Shanghai.

At the American Club in Hong Kong, parents Helen Du and Tony Chang (parents of Jon CdeP 2014), Valonia and Eric Kang Oei (Hayton ’16), and Jacque and Chip Connor (parents of Ben ’15) co-hosted a dinner party.

Peter Thacher CdeP 1984 hosted a cocktail hour and southern dinner at the Savannah Yacht Club on the coast of Georgia.

Marc Murray CdeP 1981 hosted a dinner party for Columbia, South Carolinaarea folks at the Hampton Street Vineyard.

Christine and Stan Penton CdeP 1976 hosted a weekend-long series of events in the mountains of Georgia at their beautiful York House Inn. Our Bay Area community joined us, once again, at the Presidio Café and Golf Club for a holiday-themed reception in San Francisco.

TAKE ME OUT TO WRIGLEY: Stephen Yih CdeP 2010 with Mark and Mary Hoffman (parents of Max CdeP 2010) on either side of Michael Mulligan. Below, Rebekah McFarland CdeP 2005 and Alexander Faraone sing along at the seventh inning strctch.

 FALL 

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AT THE BARNS: Heather Marie Look (daughter of Archibald CdeP 1964) gets acquainted with her new mount as a pensive tadpole waits his turn.

REUNION WEEKEND 2014

L

ESS THAN A WEEK AFTER COM mencement, almost 300 alumni gathered on campus to celebrate and reconnect. Joined by 150 family members and beloved faculty, alumni enjoyed a wide range of recreational activities, including horseback rides on campus and farther afield, class parties, dancing and live music, trapshooting, and athletic games. In addition, alumni participated in three Saturday morning seminars: • A History of Thacher, presented by John Taylor CdeP 1965.

• The Effects of WWII, as experienced

by CdeP 1944 members Reid Dennis, George Hunt, Wayne Montgomery, and Kelly Clark.

• Trends in Education, facilitated by Cabot Brown CdeP 1979 with Perry Gates CdeP 1959, Bob Cooper CdeP 1964, Diane Downey CdeP 1979, Matt Stenovec CdeP 2004, and Catherine Whittinghill Illingworth CdeP 2004.

Traditional reunion activities, including the Saturday evening banquet and the Sunday morning memorial service, highlighted the weekend. During the banquet, Ned Banning CdeP 1974 guided representatives from every class to join a lively and spontaneous competition for a large, carved wooden toad as they offered their toasts. (In the end, Rob Livermore CdeP 1979 took the toad with his rhyming remarks.) Joining Rob at the podium, alumni from each class inspired the 400 gathered under the stars on the Upper Field: Reid Dennis CdeP 1944, Bruce Oxley CdeP 1954, John Lewis, Jr. CdeP 1959, Dick Livermore CdeP 1964, Neal Howe CdeP 1969, Ben Carter CdeP 1974, Becky Bowman CdeP 1984, Connie Arbogast Lindsay and David Lindsay CdeP 1989, Dermond Thomas CdeP 1994, Eliza Gregory Meyer CdeP 1999, Whitney

Livermore CdeP 2004, and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson CdeP 2009.

Steve Huyler CdeP 1969 facilitated the memorial service overlooking the valley from the Outdoor Memorial Chapel, reminding all of the amazing faculty and staff who have passed away and the various ways that each contributed to our lives. Steve’s classmates and alumni from each class honored departed classmates, sharing their names aloud while a hawk soared overhead.

Thanks to all who joined in the festivities of Reunion Weekend 2014. We look forward to next year’s reunion: June 12-14, 2015.

Get ready, 0 and 5-year alumni!

THE THACHER SCHOOL  

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GATHERINGS…

CdeP 1944: 70th Reunion

CdeP 1954: 60th Reunion

CdeP 1959: 55th Reunion

CdeP 1974: 40th Reunion

CdeP 1979: 35th Reunion

CdeP 1994: 20th Reunion

CdeP 1999: 15th Reunion

 FALL 

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=Years =

=Years =

Established in 1889

The Thacher School

125 =Years =

Established in 1889

125 =Years =

The Thacher School

CdeP 1964: 50th Reunion

CdeP 1969: 45th Reunion

CdeP 1984: 30th Reunion

CdeP 1989: 25th Reunion

CdeP 2004: 10th Reunion

CdeP 2009: 5th Reunion

For downloadable versions of these images and many more candids from the weekend, visit www.thacher.or/magazine/fall2014

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CLASS NOTES…

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 

INDICATES REUNION YEAR

^

CORRESPONDING PHOTO ABOVE

EDMUND COFFIN reports, “I’m in fine health for someone of the class of ’39, writing letters to the editors about income equality, memoirs (in three page chapters, double-spaced), going to the gym, and traveling (last year Italy, this fall Portugal). Let’s keep up 1939 standards. I hope those include memorizing and reciting poetry. I can still do If and Build Thee More Stately Mansions (i.e., The Chambered Nautilus), though my wife hated those upward and onward themes.”

RICK FOREMAN writes, “We would have loved to have been at reunion but Orene and I are not traveling anymore.

In January, we moved into a retirement community here in Cincinnati, which was at just the right time as Orene came down with a compression fracture in her back and ended up in the hospital. She is well on the way to mending but we are both suffering the ills of the mid-eighties, with walkers and too many pills and blood thinners. But we are not complaining; we are upright and still with it, and enjoying life with lots of laughs.”

RIC LAURENCE details, “Unlike in 2013, when our activities were slowed by my wife’s foot surgery, 2014 was totally different. In March, we made a trip to Texas and enjoyed the River Walk and the Nimitz Museum. In April, we ventured to Virginia—invited by the MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Our group, Bay Area Civilian Ex-Prisoners of War, had three wonderful days of speakers, marchers, bagpipes, and a display of a military tattoo. In May, we took a trip to Florida and saw the Truman Florida White House and Ernest Hemingway’s home. In June, we attended my 65th reunion, and July found us in the California Delta with our grandchildren.”

years I spent at Thacher.” BILL WHEELER shares, “So Ingrid’s and my life continues much as reported a year ago. Living in Belvedere, Marin County, and still working on our real estate projects in Healdsburg, where we used to have our winery, and still spending time each year in San Miguel de Allende.

We feel very lucky indeed! Our son, Justin, and his family live in Santander and love it (his wife is Spanish). Daughter Jessica Wynne and family are close by in San Francisco and we see them frequently. I still paint in my spare, spare time and the work can be seen at bill.wwheeler.com.”

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LEE MOTHERSHEAD informs, “As of October, my new address is in Pasadena, Calif. We downsized to a condominium. This seemed like a great idea—moving from two stories to one—until we grappled with the problem of weeding out stuff we no longer had room for.”

^

CHRISTOPHER CARPENTER writes, “I retired in 2000 after 30 years with the United Nations—having worked in the Congo, Malaysia, China, Japan, Somalia, Vietnam, and Russia. Upon retirement, I set up a foundation to support building small-scale infrastructure projects in the central highlands of Vietnam and (over the past 5 years) primary and secondary schools in North Korea. Having been diagnosed with a serious illness, I now live at home near Geneva, Switzerland, and have the chance to reflect on a life rich with experiences—thanks in no small way to the

 

^

CHRIS HENZE reports, “As promised during my sister’s and my pilgrimage in 2012, the village of Zwochau, Germany, changed the name of the main street to honor our greatgreat-grandfather, revolutionary Pastor Johann Friedrich Baltzer (1801-1885). The original portrait we donated is now in the foyer of his 12th century St. Martin’s Church, where he preached in favor of democracy—for which he was sentenced to prison.” LYNN WHITE and Barbara-Sue greatly enjoyed meeting classmates at Lynn’s 55th Reunion. Lynn’s book, Philippine Politics: Progress and Problems in a Localist Democracy, will be published by Routledge before the end of this year. He is now writing about the increasingly lively politics of Hong Kong. The start of 2014 saw the publication of a book by Lynn and his former Princeton students (both former doctoral and undergrad students who now have solid academic careers in Asian politics and law) called Democratization in China, Korea, and Southeast Asia: Local and National Perspectives.

^

BILL SLATTERY says, “Here’s an update from the Slatterys: Margaret retired after teaching middle school Spanish for 18 years. Bill continues as president of the Atlantic Legal Foundation, which he joined 14 years ago after a long career in the banking legal business. Daughter Cristina is teaching at a private school in Boston, and daughter Susie—with husband Pieter and their two children—live nearby our home in Westchester County, N.Y. Inspired by the wonderful photo of CASEY ESCHER’S granddaughter in the spring issue of Thacher magazine, I happily contribute a photo of our grandchildren, Hugo and Eloise.”

DAVID MARSTEN notes, “Milestone coming up at the end of October (70th birthday). Grandchildren are wonderful.”

^

STEVE GRIGGS shares, “My wife, Trish, and children, Colin and Jessie, went to Brazil for the World Cup in June. We were graciously hosted by CdeP classmate ERIC SWEET and family. Both kids have followed in my coaching footsteps: Colin at Hebron Academy in Maine, and Jessie at Northland College in Wisconsin.”

 FALL 

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Photos (L to R): Christopher Carpenter ’58 at a North Korean school built by his foundation.

Portrait of Chris Henze’s ’59 great-greatgrandfather. Bill Slattery’s ’61 grandchildren, Hugo and Eloise. Son, Colin; wife, Trish; daughter, Jessie; and Steve Griggs ’63 in Brazil. Archie Look ’64 and wife, Sophie, in Japan, were visited by Kim Cardin ’66. Trav Newton ’68, Edgardo Catalan, and Marvin Shagam picnicked on the Pergola.

MILESTONES

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ENGAGEMENTS SAM EATON declares, “Time marches on, everyone. There are only months left until the ‘big’ one. Let’s all plan to work together to find the lost from our flock so we can have a true reunion in 2015. This is the year for an all-out effort, as our class notes creep inexorably closer to the front of the magazine!” TERRY ROBERTSON announces, “I got married in June and I am still the dean of the law school at Empire College, with great students and faculty, including ROBERT BOYD ’59.”

CLAIRE FAGGIOLI ’02 is engaged to marry Daniel Sternberg.

MARRIAGES

1

^

KIM CARDIN shares, “I spent the first two weeks in April with cousin ARCHIE LOOK ’64 and his wife Sophie at their earthquake-proof home in Tokyo. Tokyo is very busy!

Nice to have Archie to lead me around. Sophie makes great plum wine!” NORMAN LIVERMORE announces, “Our big news is that our daughter, WHITNEY ’04, changed her teaching career back to the West Coast and returned to Thacher to teach European and American history to 9th and 11th graders! So, after four years of trips to watch her play basketball, we now get to watch her teach and coach the girls’ basketball team (Beat Cate!). It is a wonderful circle coming back around and makes me feel even more connected with Thacher than when I was there in my youth. Whitney joins our classmate ART SPAULDING’S son, CAM ’92, who teaches, coaches, and manages Golden Trout Camp.”

CHARLES EVANS says, “Thinking out loud: My brother Mitchell Evans—fireman, paramedic, ski patrol, and now boat captain—could captain a boat at the Cannes Film Festival.

I am thinking bigger is better so, if we could get a group to pitch in, I could probably get some three-day passes at the Marché du Film, some one-day passes at the VIP pavilion, lots of passes for films at the Marché du Film, and a very few at festival films, but you can buy those. Cannes is a blast…”

TRAV NEWTON shares, “I had a picnic with Edgardo Catalan and Marvin Shagam on the Pergola in August.

Edgardo exhibited his recent paintings in Santa Barbara, and in the home of his son and daughter-in-law, RODRIGO ’83 and SIBYLL ’83, in Pacific Palisades.” STEPHEN ROBERTS describes, “We always knew that living in ‘God’s Country’ had its risks, but we just came close to losing it all. The King Fire in El Dorado County came within a mile of our home in Pollock Pines. We were packed up and ready to pull the trailer out when the winds changed and the fire sped away from us. It continued to blaze for the next two weeks and then unusual rainstorms calmed everything down. Way too close!”

TERRY ROBERTSON ’65 married Debra Lee Ford on June 21 in Sonoma County, with fellow classmate SAM EATON in attendance. (photo 1) LAURA MCHALE ’88 married Paul Allen on April 19 in Hong Kong. “Three of my Thacher classmates made the long trip to the wedding: JAIME ARAUJO BEZIAN, FRANCIS KENDRICK, and ELIZABETH GRAHAM TANJI. It was amazing to have them there for the big day!” (photo 2)

2

MICHAELA ANDREWS ’99 married Dr. Jan Bruder on August 14 in Münster, Germany. (photo 3) CHRIS CAHILL ’03 married his medical school sweetheart, Erica Pasciullo, on September 20 in Fairlee, Vt. “Many thanks to HUGH GORDON, PHOEBE BARKAN, JOHN BABBOTT, and MELISSA VICKERY, all CdeP 2003, who we got to see in the Bay Area the month beforehand!” (photo 4)

3

ED CAHILL ’05 married Whitney Hendrickson in Vermont during the summer.

^

SARAH CHAMBERLAIN ’05 married Tom Curtis in London on September 20.

Toads in attendance were Sarah’s dad, PARK ’68; her brother, WILL ’03; cousin, LUCY HODGMAN ’03; and JESSICA CORNWELL ’04.

4

Read and submit class notes online at blogs.thacher.org/classnotes THE THACHER SCHOOL 

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CLASS NOTES…

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PETER DRAGGE writes, “We just returned from a family reunion in Union, Wash., where we had the good fortune to hook up with our old pal and ’69er, DAVE ROBBINS. He was kind enough to show us around his various projects located just between Lilliwaup and Dosewallips, on the Hood Canal. He has quite an operation harvesting lumber and oysters, both sustainable and environmentally managed.

I encourage anyone who likes oysters to check out the Hama Hama Oyster Company bar and smokehouse, right there in downtown Lilliwaup! And be sure and say hi to Dave—he’ll treat you right.” Bill Kellogg announces, “My youngest daughter, Wendy, just delivered identical twin boys. I still find myself looking around the room when she talks about ‘Grandpa.’ We may have a great doubles team on the way to Thacher!” MICHAEL MORSE writes, “I am proud to announce my son Elliott’s graduation from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, following closely upon my daughter Sophie’s successful completion of a Peace Corps tour in Uganda.

She will begin a Fulbright Fellowship in Bogota, Colombia, in July. I still live with my wife, Sandra, and son, Oren, in Tucson, for any alumni classmates who are passing through.”

^

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NED CAHILL and Carol are recovering after two fabulous weddings for CHRIS ’03 and EDWARD ’05, both of which were on the East Coast. They also now have seven doctors between them and their extended family. Their lives are busy but they still enjoy hiking, traveling, and snow skiing—albeit Ned occasionally has to recover with orthopedic repairs from his various ski accidents. NEWLIN HASTINGS notes, “Heading into the stretch towards our 45th Class Reunion... the proverbial ‘time flies.’ Liz and I will be there with bells on and, hopefully, the best turnout in class history. We remain in Paso Robles, working and playing with everything to do with wine, vineyards, real estate, and basically trying to keep up with the ranch. Our kids are in parts afar, so we fly from place to place to keep up with them. We heard about JOHN BROOME and Cheryl becoming grandparents, sailing to the islands, running Rancho Guadalasa, and the fire that threatened their house last year.” DAVID GILPIN and Melissa are alive and well, running the seed company in Pleasanton, Calif., and splitting their time between tons of work, their kids, and the magical family cabin near Fallen Leaf Lake. They also recently celebrated marriages of their two children, making for great times. TAD PAUL shares, “I find life after 60 remarkably satisfying. Still practicing architecture in New York City, working on a small new apartment building at the moment. Happy with my (younger) business partner, so retirement isn’t in the picture yet. Spend a lot of time out at my house on Fire Island— love being outdoors there. If any classmates are passing through NYC, look me up.”

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* 

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 

^

HANS NIELSEN writes, “Nancy and I sold our mortgage company and home, and journeyed south to Ojai. Got to walk the changed campus, visit the dining hall, stand in my favorite room in Upper School, and take in a sunset at the Outdoor Chapel. Ojai has a distinctive smell and the best sky for viewing stars. I swear I heard Mr. Chase addressing Assembly as we stood packed in the old Study Hall. I love this place.

After three months in Ojai, we still have yet to decide where we will live next. In the meantime, we await Nancy’s book which comes out in October.”

^

LANCE IGNON reports, “I finally reached my goal of opening my own business: a communications firm specializing in environmental issues, most of them related to climate change. One of my clients is—like me—a former faculty brat and Thacher grad! Our daughters, Lili and Sophia, are thriving and worship BRYAN BECKHAM thanks to his gift for talking to people under 4 feet tall (not that my daughters are anymore).”

^

LIZ WESTBROOK shares, “I was recently surprised when, at the U.S. Open in Queens, N.Y., I looked to my left to see PETER MATTHEWS ’76, who happened to be seated next to me, watching a match on one of the outer courts. Here we were at an event with 38,000 plus people, and we ended up side-by-side! One of those fun ‘small world’ moments.”

DON OSBORNE writes, “I got invited to teach some classes (social media marketing and marketing communications) at Concordia University’s MBA program here in Irvine, Calif.

Great group of students and wonderful, supportive university.

Anyone in the area who wants to come hang out—or be a guest speaker in one of my classes—you are invited! Young alumni, I’m talking to you! (And the young-at-heart, too.)”

^

TIM BOWMAN shares, “BILL ARNOLD and I completed a two-hour mountain bike ride on Mt. Tam last Sunday. Sadly, we aren’t 16 any more, so it got a bit rough. Not like the glory days of ’76 that Jack Huyler mentions in his history of the School.”

^

GRANT FLETCHER reports, “I returned from extensive travels in Asia; my oldest, Jamie, turned 21 and is graduating from UCLA; Katie, 19, is at Yale playing soccer; and Corie turns 16 in December and is at San Dieguito High School Academy. All is well in the lifesaving/E.M.S. world and real estate management is on track. Aloha from Kauai... All the best to my classmates!”

WILL WYMAN writes, “BRYAN SHAUGHNESSY and I broke out the old hardwood court and were ready to hoop it up a bit at Harry’s Bar! Bryan and his lovely wife, Laura, have two boys who went to The Gunnery school, Kevin and Patrick, who have since graduated from college. I’m working on Bryan to return for our 40th. He said he’d love a visit with Cricket and Terry.”

^

 FALL 

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Photos (L to R): Bill Kellogg’s ’69 daughter and twin grandsons.

Hans Nielsen ’71 with wife, Nancy. Lance Ignon ’74 with daughters Lili and Sophia. Liz Westbrook ’75 and Peter Matthews ’76 at the U.S. Open. Tim Bowman ’77 and Bill Arnold ’77 riding Mt. Tam. Grant Fletcher ’78 and daughters.

Will Wyman ’78 and Bryan Shaughnessy ’78 in Santa Barbara.

Voevodskys at graduation: Mike ’82, Therese, Paule ’12, Mia ’14, Josephine, and Peter ’53. Peter Cole ’83 made wearable art at the New York Maker Faire.

MILESTONES

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DREW HORTON announces, “I have a new job but am still in Minnesota beginning my fourth year ‘up North.’ I am the new interim research winemaker for the University of Minnesota’s horticultural research center in Victoria, making micro-lots of wines from some brand new—and as yet unnamed—cold climate hybrid wine grapes. It’s fun to be ‘back in school’ after almost 30 years!” MARIAN HUNTINGTON SCHINSKE proclaims, “Good Thacher news this year! ALISON TERBELL visited me in Novato and I had a long phone visit with PHOEBE TWICHELL PETERSON. I have two nieces attending Thacher: SYDNEY ’17 and OLIVIA ’18 DE POLO. I published a book, Ani’s Asylum, about a Tibetan refugee and her daughter, and their journey towards political asylum. My nonprofit, NovatoSpirit, continues to serve low-income kids with sports scholarships and was the only American nonprofit to be selected this year to partner with One World Children’s Fund—which helps impoverished children in more than 40 countries. Sending a big hello to all my Thacher classmates!” ALISON TERBELL NIKITOPOULOS shares, “I took a job teaching English and music at Midland School in Los Olivos (no longer a Thacher rival) and have been here since mid-August. I am absolutely thrilled to be in a boarding school environment and back in California.

Please come see me!” MICHAEL VOEVODSKY says, “Hard to believe, but our youngest daughter, MIA, graduated CdeP 2014—bringing to an end six great additional years at Thacher as parents. PAULE ’12 is on the same reunion cycle as CdeP 1982. Attending graduation were three generations of Voevodskys (you’d think the School would have learned by now!): PETER ’53; me; and PAULE ’12 and MIA ’14. Finally, we moved from Tucson, Ariz., back to Grand Rapids, Mich. If you are in the area, please look us up.”

BIRTHS

1

ANDREW BARKAN ’98 and Polly Hall welcome their son, Isadore Robbins Hall Barkan. “Izzy arrived fashionably late on April 16, 2014, and he has already turned our lives upside down in the best way possible!” (photo 2)

2

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PHOTO/ILLUSTRATION CREDIT HERE

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*

3

WIL CALDWELL ’98 and his wife, Lauren, are proud to announce the birth of their second child, Charlotte Kathleen Caldwell, born in July. “Our two-year-old daughter, Kimball, could not be more excited about being a big sister!”

LUCIA WEAVER CRAVEN ’98 and her husband, Brad, were thrilled to add twins Huck and Fern to their family in April. They were welcomed warmly by big brother Palmer, and the whole family is settling happily into their new home in northern Virginia. (photo 3) KELLIE DOLAN ’98 and her husband, Ben, announce the birth of their daughter, Ripley Jean Booth, who was born May 8, 2014. “To be closer to my family (read: babysitters), we are leaving London and moving back to SoCal this September.

Looking forward to finally attending an alumni event!” (photo 4)

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PETER COLE reports, “Jarka, Charlie, and I premiered a new keys-only booth at the New York Maker Faire.

Maker Faire is more than 700 exhibits of the world’s best D.I.Y. enterprises, from computers to drones, to crafts, to marshmallow guns, to robots and go-karts. We were among them! Real Key is a booth of wearable art made from used and recycled keys. I had a small production workshop onsite for custom orders, with three sizes of metal stamps to put words or phrases on any key. They make great gifts as well as souvenirs of an ancient technology made stylish.”

ANNIE JACK RIDDELL ’95 and Travis are thrilled to introduce their first child, Case Matthew Riddell! “Casey joined us at 6:25 a.m. on April 2 in Jackson Hole–6 pounds 6 ounces, and 20 inches long. (photo 1)

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JUSTINE McGUINNESS SNEDDON writes, “Unfortunately we missed Reunion, but my daughter, Amy, and I were able to go to California and catch up with some of my old Thacher buddies. We saw CLAUDIA OREJUELA STEEVES and her family, BROOKE BOYNTON WHITE, and SYDNEY OAKES JONES. I am still living in Australia and working with Alzheimer’s Australia as a key worker for people and THE THACHER SCHOOL 

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CLASS NOTES…

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families with younger onset dementia (under 65 years).

Life is good but I do miss California. Planning on visiting again next summer.”

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HEIDI EVANS GIRARDONI shares, “JOHANNES ’85 and I are honored to be Parents Association Chairs for Thacher this year for several reasons. Thacher has, once again, become the central focus of our family, ever since HELENA ’18 joined her sister JULIA ’15 as a Thacher Toad, and being PA Chairs adds legitimacy to our frequent presence on campus. Aside from that, we love living on the west side of Los Angeles. I am busy working towards my master’s degree in clinical psychology, and managing the studio with Johannes, who recently was invited to exhibit his light and sound installation, Metaspace V2, at the 30th international TED conference in Canada.”

MARK GAMBLE reports, “I took my family on a rafting trip this summer down the middle fork of the Salmon River for a week of white water rapids and fly fishing for cutthroat trout. It was great to be sleeping in a tent again. When I am not spending my free time trying to share the outdoors with my family, I enjoy working in investment management in San Francisco.” MARK HOLMAN and Mr. Shagam enjoyed a moment together talking in the Dining Hall on campus in May. JULIE HUNTINGTON DE POLO writes, “Feeling some survivor guilt for having missed the Napa quake entirely—for good reason, though. We spent a leisurely week in Ojai dropping off both daughters to Thacher (whiplash, doubletake! They’re one year apart—freshman and sophomore— where did the time go?). Dan and I returned to some broken glass, but nothing significant except a really freaked-out dog and an eerily silent teen-free household. Good news is we have more time to hang out with friends, so if you feel like a trek to Napa, we’d love to see you!” DOUG KIRKPATRICK reports, “CAROLYN REED KIRKPATRICK and I are getting back to the Ojai more often now that our oldest son, LIAM ’17, chose to attend Thacher. On the work front, I left my 15-year career as a portfolio manager and analyst at Artisan and Janus to launch an online investment advisory startup called AlphaGlider. It strives to add more honor, fairness, kindness, and truth to the industry. Geographically, we’ve been bouncing among New Zealand, China, and the U.S.—but I’m always present at alphaglider.com!” SARAH O’BRIEN shares, “It is wonderful to be back in Santa Barbara with my family. Our son, Ronan, just started kindergarten and Pierce is in second grade. They are following in my footsteps at Crane Country Day School and love it! After living in San Francisco for 20 years, I do miss the city, so Aaron and I take our kids back to visit a few times a year. It is great to be closer to Ojai and to attend Winter Alumni Day and the Big Gymkhana. It has also been terrific to catch up with so many of our classmates that have children attending Thacher.”

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ZAMIRA SKALKOTTAS writes, “I’m thrilled to be living in Istanbul—a truly glorious city—and working at a school that reminds me of Thacher. While Üsküdar American Academy is not a boarding school and I have a view of the Bosporus from my classroom window rather than orange and oak trees, there is the same academic drive in the students, and the campus atmosphere is charged with the tense excitement of learning.

Visitors are welcome!”

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ADAM GEYER shares, “I just completed a 155-mile, sixstage, self-supported ultramarathon through Madagascar called ‘Racing the Planet.’ The run took us through breathtaking terrain—ranging from tropical beaches to red rock canyons and vast rice patty fields to rural African villages.

It was physically challenging but I felt good through most of the race and I definitely drew on my past Thacher outdoor skills for strength throughout the event! Even after 25 years, my Thacher camping days somehow still resonated and made the race’s survival aspects seem more familiar.”

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BEN KROKOWER shares, “Lots of news! Our boy, Elijah, is 14 months old. I’ve become chair of Seattle’s Technology Advisory Board and my business, Upwards Tech, keeps growing, with a new office in Jakarta.”

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JENNIFER KRITZ shares, “KATIE KIRKMIRE VINING was here running her third Boston marathon in a row. My husband, Sam Ditzion, and I met Katie and her husband, Michael Vining, for dinner the night before the race. We all carbo-loaded (even though Katie was the only one actually running the next day) and loved being able to cheer Katie on at mile 23!”

EMILY WILSON announces, “My children’s book, Joone, is the winner of the 2014 Children’s Literature Center Book Award for instilling compassion, love, and courage in young readers.

It has been an exciting first year for Joone, and I look forward to what may happen with this next book, which is due out next year and stars my own beloved dog, Benny!”

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CAMERON BOSWELL writes, “I recently had a trip back to the U.S. (I live in Australia) which included a visit with CHRIS LABBE, and his family, in Oregon. I had the opportunity to visit one of the flour mills that his company operates in Portland. I stayed with his family at their property outside the city and am very grateful for his hospitality. The highlights were watching Chris and his two boys ‘mutton busting’ (riding sheep) and caring for their various farm animals. It was a great visit and I thank Chris for hosting me.” KATE KOCHENDORFER SMITH reports, “After seven wonderful years in New York City, Adam and I (and Conrad, age 2) have moved to Lexington, Ky.! I am working as a federal prosecutor

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Photos (L to R): Claudia Orejuela Steeves ’84 and Justine McGuinness Sneddon ’84 in Oregon. Mark Holman ’86 and friend in front of the Marvin K. Shagam Award. Kirkpatricks in Beijing: Doug ’86, Carolyn Reed ’86, Colin, and Liam ’17.

Sarah O’Brien ’86 and family are back in Santa Barbara.

Adam Geyer ’89 finishing an ultramarathon in Madagascar.

Ben Krokower’s ’93 son, Elijah. Katie Kirkmire Vining ’94 and Jennifer Kritz ‘94 pre-marathon. 1997 Chris Labbe ’97 and Cameron Boswell ’97 at an Oregon flour mill. Sarah Bruss Gabrielson ’99 with her boys Neil and Ezra. Mel Larkins ’99 performing at an open mic event.

MILESTONES BIRTHS C O N T I N U E D

and Adam is in private practice. We love the never-ending green hills of Kentucky and, on Saturday mornings, watching the horses work out at Keeneland. Please let us know if you are ever passing through!”

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ANDREW BARKAN announces, “We welcomed Isadore CdeP 2032 into this crazy world in April! Besides new human life, Polly Hall and I also created a lot of music for Nickelodeon this summer, including the score for Nick’s first digital series, Welcome to the Wayne.” ROSE MINIER writes, “I’m still living in Seattle, working as an accountant by day. In my free time, I’m continuing to help run GeekGirlCon, an organization that puts on an annual convention for roughly 6,000+ people and provides educational, networking, mentoring, and social events year round—all to support and celebrate women in S.T.E.M. careers, gaming and gaming careers, comics, fandoms, and pop culture. We also do a lot of work around supporting diversity of all types and encouraging things like positive body image. It’s rewarding, fun, and takes up a surprising amount of my time—but worth it!”

MICHAELA ANDREWS announces, “After eleven wonderful years together, Dr. Jan Bruder and I got married. In addition to our wedding, other summer highlights included relaxing in Tuscany and hiking in the Dolomites. We have been living in Münster for over three years now and continue to be happy with our lifestyle here, where everything is easily accessible by bike and there is a café and museum around every corner. The days are full with me teaching English and studying German, and Jan researching neurodegenerative diseases and caring for millions of human brain cells that require daily feeding.” SARAH BRUSS GABRIELSON shares, “I’m still living in Maine with my husband, Jeremy, and two boys, Neil and Ezra. We are loving the fall colors and dreaming of snowmen, sledding, and hot chocolate.

I have fulfilled my most recent dream of becoming an RN and currently work as a postpartum nurse. Hope to hear from you all or, better yet, see you in person soon!”

MEL LARKINS lives in Atlanta, Ga., and is a business consultant by day and songwriter/performer by night! Mel is spreading her wings (made by Sarah Werkheiser); this summer she sang at an open mic event for the first time ever. Go Mel! She also reached out to alumni living in the South, to make contact and organize gatherings to celebrate Thacher’s 125th anniversary.

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COVENTRY BURKE BERG ’99 and Davis welcomed another son, Gilchrist McNair Berg, to their growing family on September 2, 2014. “We look forward to bringing the whole clan to our next reunion!” (photo 5) 5

ELLA GOODBROD MOENCH ’00 became a mom with the arrival of Rowan Coby Moench on May 19, 2014! (photo 6) CELESTE THOMAS TRAVIS ’00 is excited to announce the arrival of Thea Jacqueline Travis, born at home on April 20, 2014. (photo 7)

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JULIETTE WHITE MCCULLOUGH ’00 and Adrian were thrilled to welcome Crawford Douglas McCullough to the world, in Marin County, Calif., on July 3, 2014. “A nice compromise between Canada Day and the 4th of July for our little dual citizen.” (photo 8) JENNA REASOR ’04 and her husband, Jason Martinez, announce their newborn: “Our baby girl’s name is Eda Sophia Martinez and she was born on May 14, 2014, at 1:47 p.m.”

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ELLA GOODBROD MOENCH announces, “Enjoying some time away from teaching this fall as I learn about being a mom! Rowan Coby Moench arrived May 19 and we spent the summer playing in Washington. Now we are back in Venice Beach, trying to stay cool, taking baths, and exploring L.A.” THE THACHER SCHOOL 

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CLASS NOTES… Photos (L to R): Sarah Bruss Gabrielson ’99 with her boys Neil and Ezra. Mel Larkins ’99 performing at an open mic event. Julia Romano ’00 and Megan Winecoff ’00 in Thailand. Maggie Tillman’s ’02 view from their new facility for wine production and tasting. Ward Sorrick ’04 recently completed a year-long Meisner training program for professional actors. Ellen Adams ’05 in the art studio. CdeP 2005s Gabe Yette, Ben Babbott, and Conner Schryver found each other wearing the same tank tops.

“Sea urchins are pretty darn cute,” according to Maggie Ammons ’10.

HANNAH HOOPER and her band, Grouplove, played at Lollapalooza 2014 in August. JULIA ROMANO writes, “I remember—over 15 years ago—starting a yoga class at Thacher!

I had no idea that yoga teaching would become the substance of my life’s work! I’m a full time teacher in Washington, D.C., and lead retreats around the world in beautiful places like southern Italy, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Iceland, Nicaragua, and more! Classmate and dear friend, MEGAN WINECOFF joined me in Thailand this past April. We had a wonderful time drinking in two beautiful sunsets and reminiscing. I’m also completing an MS in yoga therapy and will be opening my own practice next year! Joyfulness abounds!”

with Whitney Hendrickson (now Whitney Cahill). Amazing to see fellow classmates KAY BRADFORD, GABE YETTE, and CONNER SCHRYVER—although it was awkward when Gabe, Conner, and I all showed up wearing the same sharkthemed tank tops! I also saw Ed, Conner, and BARRETT BROWN in California this summer before embarking on a raft trip on the Green River in Utah.” KAY BRADFORD writes, “Just moved from upstate New York to Seattle.

Working for Cornell University in their corporate education department and sailing on the weekends. Living with boyfriend of five years, Rob, and the world’s best cat, Darwin.”

SARAH CHAMBERLAIN announces, “After meeting as graduate students at the University of Edinburgh and being together for five years, I married Tom Curtis at the Town Hall Hotel in London. It was such a beautiful and joyful day, with family and friends coming from across the U.S. and Europe to wish us well. Tom and I have lived in East London for the past three years. Tom is a forensic accountant with KPMG, and I manage individual and alumni gifts for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.”

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MICHAEL DISNER reports, “We are in our second year of a two-year tour with the state department in Beijing, China.

Next summer, we’ll be heading to our next assignment in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before that though, we’ll be welcoming boy number four into our family in January 2015!”

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MAGGIE TILLMAN shares, “The Tillman family business is graduating! After over a decade of farming premium Rhône grapes at Alta Colina Vineyard in Paso Robles, Calif., we are about to complete construction on our own estate wine production and tasting facility. I’ve been working full-time with the family for the past four years and the new building is an exciting milestone. If you’re on California’s central coast, do come by Alta Colina and say hello!”

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WHITNEY LIVERMORE reports, “I am in my first year of experiencing the very great privilege of being a teacher at Thacher! I teach European and U.S. history (to freshmen and juniors, respectively); advise freshman girls; and will be coaching the varsity girls’ basketball team in the winter. Feeling very lucky to be back here in this place that we all love so much!” WARD SORRICK writes, “I just graduated from a year-long Meisner training program at the Waterfront Playhouse & Conservatory in Berkeley, Calif.

The program is designed to teach the life’s work of Sanford Meisner to young and aspiring professional actors. I will be living in the Bay Area; acting in commercials, theater, and short films; and surfing as much as possible until November, after which I plan to travel to London and Barcelona before settling in Los Angeles to continue my acting career.”

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ELLEN ADAMS just completed a year-long Fulbright Grant to research and write about socially-engaged contemporary art in Thailand. She’ll now be settling in Seattle where she looks forward to playing some music, revising a book, and reconnecting with some west coast Toads. BEN BABBOTT shares, “I had a wonderful time early last summer in Vermont for ED CAHILL’S gorgeous wedding

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MAGGIE AMMONS reports, “Last winter I built an aquatics lab for neurobiological research on octopuses. (According to my professor, that is the most correct plural of octopus.)

One of the research projects I completed was a study on the neuromuscular coordination of sea urchins as a measure of nervous system integrity. Sea urchins are pretty darn cute. Now I find myself in my senior year, working to produce my thesis work as a choreographer and a dancer.” CORY DOLPHIN shares, “This summer I joined the engineering team at Twitter—working on the mobile products team in their new Boston office. Though I have only been here a month, the team has been a great fit both socially and technically. If anyone is looking for a connection to folks at Twitter, feel free to reach out and I will do my best to introduce you or help however I can.” SARINA PATEL details, “I’m in my last semester now at Middlebury College—due to graduate in February. Last spring, I completed a year-long geology thesis on the magmatic history of a volcano in New Zealand (where I studied abroad), and I will be presenting my research at a conference in October. Last summer, I spent a fantastic three months with the National Park Service doing field research and science communications work at Lava Beds National Monument. I highly recommend a visit to this nifty park to anyone who enjoys caves, volcanoes, and an uncrowded wilderness experience.”

PATRICK TEAGUE reports, “I’ve started a new job as a software engineer at a Santa Monica startup called Washio and moved to Venice. I’m also actively working on my own startup focused on improving education called Teachly.”

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JOE BELL says, “Living large and enjoying a new experience at Ole Miss. I am studying international studies and public policy and trying to soak in as much football, fun, and southern culture as possible. If anyone is ever in the Oxford, Miss., area, feel free to say hello!”

BRISHA HOWE shares, “I am a sophomore at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and I’m looking forward to it being a great semester. This will be my first semester as an initiated member of Delta Zeta sorority and I am also starting a service-based a cappella girls group with a friend.

We plan on singing in nursing homes and hospitals once or twice a month and hopefully it will bring joy to those who need it.” ELENA MCGAHEY says, “Hi all! I had a great time this summer with many of our CdeP 2013 classmates, particularly at the Outside Lands Music Festival. Earlier in the summer, I was fortunate enough to have an internship at a cosmeceutical company in San Francisco (yay skin!).

Here at school, I am still actively rowing (much to my hands’ dismay). I just got involved in volunteering at an awesome animal shelter where I mainly scoop out cat poop but also sometimes get to take adorable puppies on their first outdoor walks. Hope everyone is well!”

CALEB COUTURIE, who is about to start school at University of Oregon, has his own fantasy football column on the Fishduck website. “It is actually pretty cool and real people read it, though my fantasy team recently ravaged Caleb’s,” announced LEXIE KIRWOOD. MADELINE TAYLOR is taking a gap year before starting at Oberlin and hiked El Camino de Santiago in the fall with both her mother and her host mother from SYA.

HOW TO SUBMIT DIGITAL PHOTOS: • Shoot using your camera’s best photo setting.

• Files should be 200k or larger.

• Save photos as JPEG files.

• Identify every person in the photo, state time and place, and suggest a caption.

We can accept good old-fashioned prints as well.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or images from magazines or newspapers.

TWO WAYS TO SUBMIT PHOTOS: 1. Email digital files as attachments to alumni@thacher.org.

2. Mail prints or digital discs to: The Thacher School Alumni Office 5025 Thacher Road, Ojai, CA 93023

#THANKS2THACHER...

DURING THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING, THE ALUMNI AND Development Office invited alumni and parents to complete the sentence, “Thanks to Thacher….” The response was as overwhelming and celebratory as a traditional Thanksgiving spread, so we thought we’d share some of the abundance below.

THANKS TO THACHER... ...my children have open minds, open hearts, and the passion and tenacity to pursue their dreams. ...I have been influenced by such notable characters as Jesse Kahle, Jack Huyler, Marvin Shagam, Chuck Warren, and Peter Robinson. ...equines are still among my best friends, and I am still learning from them. ...I treasure memories of Horn Canyon trail rides, orange blossom intoxication, library hide ’n go seek, and dolphins glowing in bioluminescence on one extraordinary EDT. ...for Newt Chase, who kept this bad boy at CdeP, when he had every right to send me packing. I am a better man today because of his influence. ...my daughter has had her voracious appetite for learning encouraged, fulfilled, and directed into areas she didn’t even know existed. ...I have a deep appreciation and love for open space and the beauty of nature. ...I made lifelong friendships with other Toads and married one 25 years ago.

THE THACHER SCHOOL 

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FACULTY, STAFF & FRIENDS…

AFTER 20 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING and devoted service to Thacher students, faculty, administration, trustees, and parents alike, JANE McCARTHY (mother of BRIGID CdeP 2007) has accepted a new position as executive administrator for the World Business Academy in Santa Barbara. Jane provided excellent support to the Head of School while also—for many years—editing and publishing the Thacher News and later contributing her stories and editing expertise to Thacher magazine. Jane was also responsible for orchestrating the opening of school, major special events throughout the year, trustee meetings, and of course, graduation. She worked overtime, often, to ensure that all ran smoothly and according to plan. As if this were all not enough, Jane also assisted with Extra-Day Trips, sometimes by driving campers to their trailheads, sometimes by helping to resupply horse trips, and sometimes by hitting the trail with the campers herself. Her husband, Dennis, a top flight outdoorsman, also assisted with trips. Devoted, focused, hard-working, and loyal, Jane did her very best to ensure that Thacher was the best school it could be—and we honor her for those many years of selfless service.

In October, Director of Studies BLOSSOM BEATTY PIDDUCK CDEP 1992 participated in the SSATB Non-Cognitive Summit in Princeton, New Jersey, where educators from 32 schools gathered to develop tools for helping schools better assess character and other traits related to positive community contributions.

For the second summer in a row, ERIC SHI and SARAH DELVECCHIO boldly ventured to China with a group of Thacher students on a language and cultural immersion trip. They bicycled atop the ancient city walls of Xian, toured the workplace of Chiang Kai-Shek, enjoyed multiple tea houses, and indulged in

dozens of dumplings. JAKE JACOBSEN embarked on the second of his four summer sabbaticals. This year, he headed first to Ecuador on an itinerary proposed

by MAGGIE RENIERS CDEP 1992, who owns an inn in the Andean town of Otavalo. Jake’s tour took him from urban Quito to the cloud forest, up volcanoes, and down rivers in the Amazonian basin. He then headed to England for a literary tour. His destinations there centered on Shakespeare, the Brönte sisters, and the romantic poets. After a visit with former faculty members and current London residents MIKE and SUSANNA McGOWAN, he wrapped up his adventure with a week of study at St. Catherine’s College. Also spending time overseas was KATHERINE HALSEY, who participated in a two-week professional development program hosted by School Year Abroad in Rennes, France. In addition to intellectually invigorating discussions, she enjoyed opportunities to explore the countryside of Brittany.

NEW TO CAMPUS ED BENNETT joins the Thacher community as the new director of facilities. Ed is responsible for all aspects of the campus plant, from daily operations and planning to capital programming and execution. After leaving the Navy as a U.S. Civil Engineer Corps officer, Ed held a number of senior facility leadership roles at universities, including West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. PEGGY BERNARD has joined the ranks as administrative assistant in the College Office. There, Peggy keeps things running smoothly, solving problems with the College Board, welcoming college admission visitors to campus, and making sure that applications are sub-

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New to campus (facing page, L to R): Dawn Marley, Whitney Livermore, Peggy Bernard, and Ed Bennett (not pictured are Logan Brown and Jon Swift). Jane McCarthy (facing page) presides over awards at the All-School Banquet. New trustees (below, L to R): Dan Yih, Annica Howard, Riley Bechtel, and Heidi and Johannnes Girardoni.

mitted on time. LOGAN BROWN is a recent graduate of Middlebury College, where she majored in political science. At Thacher she teaches English and coaches rock climbing and girls’ JV lacrosse. Most recently, Logan taught English and coached at The Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. She still has a foot in New England, however, as she devotes summers to pursuing a master’s degree at Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English. WHITNEY LIVERMORE CdeP 2004 returns to Thacher after graduating from Williams College where she majored in American Studies and Chinese and also played basketball all four years. After a year in Taiwan continuing her studies in Chinese, she taught at the Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco and Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Maryland. She’ll be teaching history and coaching girls’ varsity basketball and girls’ jv lacrosse. DAWN MARLEY has over twenty years of executive level support and project management experience. Prior to joining Thacher, she served as the executive assistant to the president of SG, a global advisory firm headquartered in Santa Barbara. Before moving to California, Dawn supported the owner and president of Harsch Investment Properties, one of the West Coast’s largest privately owned and operated commercial real estate and investment companies. Dawn’s background includes media production, and she has produced documentary films, ad campaigns, live media stage shows, and broadcast television programs. Dawn and her family live in Oxnard. JON SWIFT, a past Anacapa Scholar, has returned to Thacher full time to teach science and math. Jon, who holds a PhD in astrophysics from UC Berkeley, comes to us from CalTech, where he was a posdoctoral scholar in exoplanet research, and mentored some recent Thacher graduates. Joined by his wife, Gloria, and their growing family, John looks forward to outfitting the Thacher Observatory with a research grade telescope and reanimating Thachers’s Astronomy Club. An avid surfer and musician with a love for the mountains and the ocean, Jon views Thacher as “the ideal location.”

Stanford University with a BS in mechanical engineering and from the University of Chicago with an MBA and JD. Rejoining the board this spring is RILEY BECHTEL CdeP 1970, who served on the board from 1988-1999. Riley is chairman of the board and a director of Bechtel Group, Inc. He received his BA in political science and psychology from UC Davis and combined JD and MBA degrees from Stanford University’s Law School and Graduate School of Business. He is married to Susan Peters Bechtel and the parent of three Thacher graduates (Brendan CdeP 1999, Darren CdeP 2000, and Katherine CdeP 2003).

ANNICA HOWARD also joined the board this spring. She is married to JAMES NEWTON HOWARD CdeP 1969 and is the mother of HAYDEN ’15, ANOUK CdeP 2012, and JACKSON CdeP 2012. She graduated summa cum laude with a BA in History with an emphasis on intellectual and Jewish history. Subsequently, she worked for two years as a junior editor at Burda Media, (Germany’s largest magazine publisher) writing and researching articles on fashion and beauty.

Serving as this year’s Parent Association Chairs are HEIDI CdeP 1986 and JOHANNES GIRARDONi CdeP 1985 who live in Pacific Palisades. They are the parents of JULIA ’15 and HELENA ’18. Johannes is an Austrian-American sculptor and installation artist. Heidi is currently pursuing her master’s degree in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University and plans to work as a family therapist and consultant to families with multi-generational businesses. She is a member of the W.H. Cowles Foundation and serves on the advisory board of The Cowles Company, a diversified media, publishing, and real estate company headquartered in Spokane, Wash.

BOARD TRANSITIONS This spring ERIN ARCHER CdeP 1996, BRENDAN BECHTEL CdeP 1999, STACEY COWLES CdeP 1978, P ’11, and BOB NUTTING P ’14 retired from the board of trustees. Each was lauded for their contributions and efforts on behalf of the School at the Diamond Hitch dinner with the class of 2014. Also recognized for their service were DAN and NANCY YIH P ’10, ’12, ’15 who served as last year’s Parents Association Chairs.

Starting in October, Dan will continue his service to the board as a member of several committees.

He is chief operating officer and member of the Executive and Investment committees at Starwood Capital Group. Dan graduated from THE THACHER SCHOOL 

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IN MEMORIAM… LATHROP G. HOFFMAN CdeP 1942 Lathrop G. Hoffman passed away from natural causes on April 2, 2014, with his entire family with him for his last days.

Lathrop was born in Los Angeles and raised in South Bend, Ind. He attended The Thacher School, graduated from Putney School, joined the army shortly thereafter, and was the youngest first lieutenant. Upon discharge, he attended UCLA and, in 1947, married Dorothy Anne Cleary.

During college he made jewelry to help support himself, which he continued as a hobby throughout his life. After college, he worked in the automotive business, selling Studebakers, and also started a ceramic tile company. Over the years, Lathrop owned automobile franchises for a multitude of manufacturers and was a good-neighbor dealer and supporter of the communities he served.

Lathrop was also a founder of the Bank of Monrovia and further involved in the community through organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club, police and fire departments, schools, little league and soccer teams, hospitals, and the Monrovia Public Library. He was an avid golfer, a long-time thoroughbred horse owner and breeder, and an accomplished pilot.

A devoted family man, an inspiration to his children and grandchildren, a consummate dealmaker, and a wonderful storyteller, Lathrop is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Dorothy; his sisters, Barbara Henry and Kiriki De Diego Metzo; his children, Mary Lathrop Fahey, Peter Hoffman, Michael Hoffman, Elizabeth Hoffman, Thomas Hoffman, Marguerite Winnacott, and Patricia Juett; and numerous descendants. Lathrop was predeceased by his son Timothy.

SHERMAN EWING JR. CdeP 1944 Sherman Ewing, of Claresholm, AB, passed away on September 1, 2014, of natural causes.

Born in Minneapolis, Minn., Sherm spent his early years in Pleasantville, N.Y. He attended The Thacher School and, riding the train across the country, fell in love with the West. At Thacher, he was a most enthusiastic and determined out-of-doors man. “Chief Eagle Vision” earned “A” camper status and participated in numerous activities including gymkhana, Committee of Ten, Glee Club, editing El Archivero, and sharpshooting.

Sherm served in the U.S. Air Force until the end of WWII, and studied economics and agriculture at Yale and Cornell Universities. In 1950, he married Clarissa Clement of Buffalo, N.Y., and they moved west to begin their lives in the cattle business in California and Montana. Next, they settled at the SN Ranch in Alberta where they raised their three kids, stewarded the land, and spent the best years of their lives.

Aviation was Sherm’s passion and he used his wings for business and pleasure. He loved his family, friends, neighbors, and church, volunteered in his community, and played leading roles in ranching organizations. During his retirement in Montana, Sherm authored two books, The Range and The Ranch, and enjoyed freelance writing and travel with family and friends.

Sherm is survived by his three children, Wanina, Charlie, and Leslie; grandchildren and great granddaughters; sister Nan Bull; brothers Truxtun Morrison CdeP 1956 and Nick Morrison CdeP 1957. He was predeceased by his loving wife Claire, sister Lucia Ewing, and brother Frank H. Ewing CdeP 1951.   FALL  

JOSEPH N. BORROUGHS III CdeP 1945 Joe Borroughs passed away peacefully in his home in St. Helena, Calif., on May 26, 2014.

Joe had a very warm spot in his heart for Thacher and often referred to it as “the best three-and-a-half years of my life.” He entered Thacher as a freshman in 1941. In those days, every student had to have a horse. Malta was his, and Joe would often say he learned as much from his horse as he did at school. He was a member of the Pack & Saddle Club and especially loved camping and extended field trips on horseback with classmates. He was one of a few students who would ride his horse to church on Sundays and riding 2.5 miles to the pop stand was another favorite. Joe was a great athlete and played varsity soccer (starting his freshman year), basketball (serving as captain for three years), baseball, and track and field–running the 100-yard dash and 220-yard hurdles. He was one of the original members of Los Trobadores, formed by Barbard and Griggs.

In December of 1944, Joe left Thacher to enter the Navy–enlisting before his 18th birthday to avoid the draft. Headmaster Anson Thacher told Joe he would send him his diploma with full credits after completing a year in the Navy. It never came. (To Joe’s welcome surprise, he received his diploma from Thacher at his 60th reunion in 2005. What a joy to him as he officially graduated from high school the same year as his grandchildren, Whitney Morgan and Taylor Loeffler!) In 1946, he entered the University of California extension to make up credits to enroll at UC Berkeley, where he majored in business.

He joined the Zeta Psi fraternity and also played on the soccer team, being the only freshman on the varsity team.

Joe left Berkeley in 1950 to join his father’s linen supply business in Oakland and completed two semesters at the American School of Laundry in Joliet, Ill. He was vice president of the Oakland California Towel Co. from 1953 to 1961. He was a Mason, a member of the Oakland Yerba Buena Masonic Lodge, and one of the youngest to be accepted as a Shriner into the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland at age 32.

In 1958, Joe’s love of horses and ranching brought him and his family to the Napa Valley where he purchased two cattle ranches in Conn Valley in St. Helena. His passion and most successful achievements were in real estate: purchasing land and property and building his family’s custom homes, which provided a great life for them.

Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dodie; children Bea Loeffler, Robin Borroughs, and Betsy Borroughs Morgan; and grandchildren Kacey Morgan Zeller, Whitney Morgan, Taylor Loeffler, and J.J. Stowaser.

REV. ROBERT O. ADAMS CdeP 1950 Rev. Robert Ober Adams passed away March 12, 2014.

Bob enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Marin County, moving away during World War II. When his family returned to Marin, Bob left for Thacher, where he excelled at sports, as El Archivero records, “Bob’s chief claim to fame at Thacher has been his enthusiasm and prowess on the athletic fields. His boundless efforts have made him both a basketball and baseball standout.”

Bob found other areas of interest in dramatic productions, the Glee Club, and the Committee of Ten. After graduation, Bob searched for his vocation through many activities and jobs, eventually finding it during his Army service. He finished college, entered seminary, and was ordained as an Episcopal priest. He also found love and married Gayle Biehl. For 16 years, Bob served as a parish priest throughout the Diocese of California. Through a few tumultuous years, his marriage ended, he served in three parishes, and he married Camilla Pearsall Hudson.

Bob found a second calling in prison and addiction ministries—challenging, exhilarating, and fulfilling work—for nearly a decade, until he moved to Oregon and started the third act of his vocational life. Bob worked with parishes

throughout southern Oregon until his passing.

He is survived by his sisters, Kate and Becky; seven children, Diana, Becky, Heather, Melinda, Katharine, Joni, and Doug; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bob’s brother, Douglas CdeP 1945, predeceased him.

DAVID W. COLBY CdeP 1950 David William Colby died July 29, 2013, as a result of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He lived in McLean, Virg., for more than four decades.

David was born in San Francisco and arrived at Thacher during his sophomore year, where he was often seen perfecting his backhand and playing soccer. He also enjoyed his studies and participated in the Spanish and Glee clubs. After Thacher, David received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stanford University before serving in the Army from 1955 to 1957. He went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University in 1959 and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Rice University in Houston in 1967.

During his career, David worked for IBM as a systems engineer and computer programmer in Dallas. He also served as a business manager for the architecture firm Eero Saarinen and Associates in New Haven, Conn., before changing careers in the late 1960s to become an urban planner. In the early 1970s, David worked with the Potomac Group to design the Museum of Westward Expansion in St. Louis, later joining the planning office of Fairfax County, community development division. From 1977 until his retirement in 2000, he continued with the district office, rising from the position of planner to acting director.

David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth; three sons, Hunter, Alex, and Logan; two sisters; and six grandchildren.

PETER FARRAND CdeP 1953 Peter Farrand passed away on August 17, 2014, in São Paulo, Brazil.

Regarding his time at Thacher, El Archivero reminds us that, “Although endowed with a great variety of bellicose nicknames, Pistol Pete (from across the street), that rip-roaring, gun-toting varmint straight out of the Wild West, is really quite harmless. He is usually to be found sitting cross-legged, in the depths of an overstuffed armchair, giving soulful renditions of Three Blind Mice on the trombone, while absent-mindedly strumming his guitar with his toes. Two-Gun, against the better wishes of his more sober sectionmates, is an avid equiphile and in his Lower-Upper year racked up enough points on his hoss, “Keela,” to be high-point man for the year. Dos Pistolas, a two-year prefect, will also be recalled by several shell-shocked Middle Schoolers, whom he put to bed nightly with a gone trombonic version of ‘Taps.’”

Peter’s other interests and achievements included second soccer team, “A” basketball team, all-league tennis team, Glee Club, Los Troubadores, Committee of Ten, Outdoor Committee, Notes Board, president of Bit & Spur, Silver Dollar Club, Cum Laude Society, and recipient of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Prize for Excellence in Science and Mathematics.

Soon after graduating from Yale University in 1957, Peter traveled to São Paulo with Johnson & Higgins, an international insurance brokerage firm.

Adapting beautifully to Brazilian culture, he lived there for the rest of his life.

Peter later went to work for Phillips Petroleum, eventually starting his own company, Nova Petrene, which is currently owned and operated by his daughter, Allison, and her husband.

He is survived by his wife, Terezinha; daughters, Lisa CdeP 1982 and Allison; former wife and mother of his daughters, Irene; and his brothers, Alex CdeP 1955 and Andy CdeP 1958. Peter was preceded in death by his grandfather, George E. Farrand (who helped Sherman Day Thacher incorporate the School in the 1920s), and his father Stephen CdeP 1927.

PHILIP D. THACHER CdeP 1954 Philip Duryea Thacher of Albuquerque passed away peacefully at home after a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Palo Alto, Calif., Phil grew up in the Sierra Nevada, where his father was a civil engineer building dams and tunnels. The grandson of Sherman Day Thacher, Phil graduated from Thacher. He was known to stay up late studying and to have a tremendous amount of energy and exuberance, which he applied to numerous activities, jobs, and committees while maintaining a high scholastic grade-point average. El Archivero records, “He is worrying about being admitted to Caltech, although he is the only one in doubt.

We know that his personality and vitality will make him successful in anything he undertakes.”

After receiving his BS in physics from Caltech, Phil spent a year in France on a Fulbright Scholarship, and received his PhD in physics from Cornell University, where he met his wife while folk dancing. In 1965, Phil and Aija moved to Albuquerque, and he worked at Sandia National Laboratories for almost 40 years, the last few as an independent contractor. In addition to English, Phil spoke Latvian, French, and Russian, and enjoyed reading in German.

His interests and activities included folk dancing, camping, hiking, soccer, swimming, horseback riding, Caltech Glee Club, reading, clarinet, mineralogy, and life-long learning. Phil was also active in Planned Parenthood and Sierra Club, and supported numerous family planning, environmental, educational, health, social, and cultural organizations.

Phil is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Aija; his children, Nara and Jeff; his brother, John H. Thacher CdeP 1957; and numerous grandchildren and extended family. Phil’s parents, George CdeP 1920 and Helena, preceded him in death.

THOMAS R. RUSSELL, MD CdeP 1958 Doctor Tom Russell passed away on Monday, August 4, 2014, following a four-year battle with cancer.

A native of San Francisco, Tom attended Town School for Boys and then Thacher, where he was one of the leaders of the School. He was active in sports, especially tennis, but his main interest was horses.

Tom took a green colt, Slim, and trained the horse so well that he made the top ten on the gymkhana team.

Tom attended UC Berkeley and received his medical degree from Creighton University. His surgical training was interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy as a flight surgeon aboard aircraft carriers. After Naval service and completing his training, Tom practiced in San Francisco and was appointed chief of surgery at Presbyterian Hospital in 1979. In 1999, he became executive director of the American College of Surgeons, a post he held until 2010.

Tom’s first interaction with the public was as a summer wrangler when he was 15. He returned the next summer as chief wrangler, which he continued doing into medical school, when he began living his motto, “Take the stairs, be THE THACHER SCHOOL 

IN MEMORIAM… nice to the janitor, and the patient comes first.” A surgeon first and a cowboy at heart, Tom passed away at his ranch.

A devoted and loving husband, father, and brother, Tom was a man of enormous integrity and generous spirit. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dr. Nona Chiampi Russell; his daughters, Dr. Katie Russell CdeP 1999 and Jackie Russell; his sister, Susie Tompkins Buell; and nieces and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces.

JAMES H. WATTS CdeP 1969 Mr. Watts passed away on January 12, 2012, in San Diego. He was 60.

James Harrison Watts was born in 1951 in Cleveland, the eldest of three boys. When he was eight, his family moved to Point Loma where he attended elementary and junior high school. He graduated from The Thacher School before attending Rhode Island School of Design, where he received his bachelors degree in fine arts and architecture.

Following college, Jim and his wife, Janice Fahey, spent two years in the Kingdom of Tonga as Peace Corps volunteers. After returning from Tonga, Jim established an architecture firm with Thomas Williamson, and another with his wife, before joining the school district in 1989.

As head of the San Diego Unified School District’s architecture department, Jim Watts directed numerous projects, receiving many kudos during his 23-year tenure. He also accepted–with grace and humor–a few “Onions” from Orchids & Onions (the annual nod to good and bad architecture).

Jim’s mantra at these awards ceremonies was, always, “It’s for the kids.”

In addition to golfing, cycling, playing guitar, and sailing, Jim appreciated a good game of bocce ball. In 1983, he and Thomas Williamson formed the Canon Street Bocce League behind their Point Loma firm. “He enjoyed the zaniness of playing bocce in the rain on a dark night just for the hell of it,” Williamson said. “Jim had a lot of wonderful attributes, including a very nice sense of humor that made him a lot of fun.”

Jim is survived by his wife of 35 years, his daughters Jane and Molly Watts, and his brothers Harrison and Dean Watts.

JERRY BUFFA CdeP 1971 Jerry Buffa passed away on April 29, 2014, of pancreatic cancer. He left this earth peacefully, attended by his wife Toni, daughter Nicola, and son Coleman.

His life was profoundly shaped by his Thacher experience, especially his attachment to nature, horses, Ojai, and, most importantly, his classmates. Jerry loved his time at Thacher and talked about it only in the fondest terms.

After earning his degree in electrical engineering and his MBA from UCLA, Jerry worked for Cerwin Vega and Hewlett Packard before launching his own string bass supply business, Lemur Music. Jerry and Toni built Lemur Music into a well-respected and successful international enterprise--connecting an extended family of bass players in many countries. He led a life of joy, creativity, passion, and constant self-reinvention.

Jerry was an accomplished musician, equally at home in jazz, blues, country, and rock. He was also an engineer, master woodworker, and relentless inventor. He designed, built, modified, and repaired numerous guitars, basses, speakers, and amps during his lifetime--making friends all over the world.

Jerry fought a hard battle against cancer, achieving an unheard-of fivemonth remission that allowed him time to say important goodbyes, work on his last group of arch top guitars, and prepare himself for his transition.

Jerry did not want his death to bring sadness, but rather wished that we celebrate life and live each day to the fullest. He lives on through his music, his instruments, and his generosity.

FRIENDS OF THACHER GEORGE B. PRATT George B. Pratt died peacefully at home in Idyllwild on May 12, 2014.

After spending his childhood in New York, Texas, Canada, and Connecticut, George graduated from Connecticut College with a degree in English Literature and immediately moved to the Bay Area for its vibrant theater scene.

After a couple more moves, to Chicago and back to California, George married Sydney. Married for 22 years, they lived and taught at The Thacher School, and in China, France, and Orange County, Calif., before moving to Idyllwild.

Teaching allowed George to combine his interests in literature, theater, film, and music as a means to inspire and challenge. Always encouraging his students to dig a little deeper, George was a beloved figure on campus. He was also a novelist, playwright, and musician. Above all, George was a loyal, devoted father, friend, son, brother, mentor, and uncle—whose irreverence and mischievous sense of fun will be sorely missed.

George is survived by his wife, Sydney Robertson CdeP 1980; daughter Carmen; parents Mark and Susie Pratt; brother Stephen; sister Darcie Wallace; four brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; four nieces; and seven nephews.

RICHARD E. “DICK” SHEAHAN Born in 1922 in Pasadena, Calif., Richard Eugene Sheahan died on June 22, 2014.

In 1941, Dick took the train north and enrolled at the University of Oregon, where he was smitten by the willowy and beautiful Dottie Case. They married in 1943. The attack on Pearl Harbor compelled Dick to enlist in the Army Air Corps, helping to guide troops and cargo aircraft in the Pacific Theater. After completing his service, Dick and Dottie moved to San Marino, Calif., where their first three children were born, and then to Santa Barbara, where two more children joined the family.

In 1960, Dottie and Dick purchased a parcel of mosquito-plagued sagebrush with a panoramic view and a one-room log cabin near Grand Teton National Park. The property, with improvements made over the years, became a magnet for three generations of memorable family vacations.

Dick served as business manager at The Thacher School from 1964 to 1969. After a stint as director of development at Abbott Academy, he and Dottie returned to Ojai in 1978 for Dick to serve as director of admissions. He later directed fundraising for the Thacher Centennial Campaign, remaining with the School until his retirement in 1989.

That year, Dick and Dottie moved to Wyoming to live full-time, where he served as an advisor on boards in Jackson Hole, including the Conservation Alliance and St. John’s Hospital.

Dick is survived by his wife of 71 years; daughters Kathleen Reid, Susanne Wilson, Marnie Paulus, and Caroline Sheahan; son Casey Sheahan; and six grandchildren.

 FALL 

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THE BEST WE CAN DO… ALI ARASTU CdeP 2004 How one Millennial Thacher junior turned his own high-altitude emergency into a means of giving back.

…

WHAT LED YOU TO MEDICINE? As a junior at Thacher, I went on an Extra-Day Trip that came close to killing me. I got hit with H.A.P.E.—high altitude pulmonary edema—and it was, honestly, the best thing that ever happened to me. It made life seem impossibly short. And, as doctors were able to give me a second shot at this game of life, it felt like a duty to study to do the same.

WHY PEDIATRICS? The choice to pursue pediatrics—specifically pediatric critical care—is something that came later in medical school. I spent the first two years of medical school living on the streets of Skid Row—thank you, Thacher Outdoor Program!— and one of the most impactful experiences for me on Skid Row was with a 9-year-old homeless child. Children are the most vulnerable of populations—they cannot advocate for themselves.

I find nothing more rewarding than working with children at the moment when they are most vulnerable, be it medically as a result of critical illness or due to other challenges.

WHAT CONNECTION DO YOU SEE BETWEEN WILDERNESS AND HEALTH? Cam Spaulding CdeP 1992, the director of Thacher’s Golden Trout Camp, is a big brother

to me and someone who changed my life. Immediately after I graduated from Thacher, he took me to the Sierra for his month-long “Muir Wise” experience. That unique time deeply ingrained in me both my love for wilderness and my belief that nature is essential to health. So, a couple of years ago I started a program called Health, Yoga, and the Great Outdoors. When I’m not performing my duties as a resident at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, I’m running this program to help high school students from South Los Angeles. The essence of the program is to use the wilderness as a platform to teach at-risk youth about health.

HOW DOES YOUR PROGRAM WORK? Several of my students struggle with childhood obesity, substance abuse, depression, and unstable families; in short, their health is most impacted

by socioeconomic and environmental determinants. It is an amazing event to take these kids to 10,000 feet above sea level—away from their home environments—and introduce them to a wilderness that they had never imagined while also giving them resources to start living a healthier life. It’s literally a whole new perspective for them.

Days are filled with yoga, nutrition and cooking, and counseling—all while exploring the glorious backyard of the Golden Trout Camp. The goal is to have them leave with the expected wilderness “stoke,” while also realizing themselves as more self-sufficient, confident, and in possession of the knowledge of how to live a healthier, more expansive life.

Most were extraordinarily wary about entering the mountains, but, as they departed the Golden Trout Wilderness, everyone in the van was in tears about having to leave. It was remarkable to see the Sierra Nevada have the same impact on them that it did on me when I was at Thacher.

(You can read thank-you letters from program participants at thacher.org/magazine/ fall2014.)

WHAT’S NEXT? My goal is to continue to build the program and take more of the young people I work with into the wilderness. While there are many organizations taking youth, even at-risk youth, into the wilderness, the concept of using the wilderness as a foundation to teach health and provide a lifestyle intervention is unique. Much of residency and hospital medicine focuses on addressing the immediate—and life-threatening—problems of patients; this is an opportunity to focus further upstream on issues that may prevent at-risk youth from getting sick in the first place.

In addition to taking inner-city students for the experience, I would love to expand it to include medically cleared youth patients. Richard Grant CdeP 1957 has been remarkably helpful in aiding Cam and me in our Ali gets some efforts to get this program “wilderness stoke” off the ground. Now we are (above) and introduces a group looking for additional Toads— of high schoolers who understand the value at GTC to Health, of the wilderness—to join us Yoga, and the Great in our growth.

Outdoors.

The Thacher School 5025 Thacher Road Ojai, CA 93023 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OXNARD, CA PERMIT NO. 1215

Senior Exhibitions: When the Millennials Become the Experts UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR Toad Music Fest: January 31 (Sat) Winter Musical: February 13-14 (Fri - Sat) Grandparents Days: April 13-14 (Mon - Tue) Senior Exhibitions: April 23-25 (Thur - Sat) Big Gymkhana Family Weekend: May 8-10 (Fri - Sun) Commencement: June 6 (Sat) Reunion: June 12-14 (Fri - Sun)

Last year’s seniors presenting their research (clockwise from upper left): Drew Combs, Anand Shah, Beatrice Land, and David Chao.

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