This Is Thacher by The Thacher School

This is Thacher.

We invite you to make a leap into an education unlike any other, where the academic and personal standards are among the highest in the nation, and where the community is one of the most uplifting you could ever join. Students often hear: “Find your passion.” “Be your best self.” But how do you do that? Is there a road map? A guidebook? Even if you think you know, we invite you to consider how Thacher students do it. We’ve broken it down, mapped it out, and in some cases illustrated what it looks like when happy kids and high achievement coexist. (And, yes, it involves horses.) We hope becoming your best self is a lifelong endeavor as rewarding to you as it is enjoyable. This is what it looks like when Thacher is your head start.

“It’s not enough to say Thacher students are smart—because we are so much more than that. We have debaters and defensemen, ballet dancers and bee farmers, rock climbers and robotics engineers. We are not only the archetypal book-smart students, but we are thoughtful, creative, and curious. Being surrounded by this kind of diversity really inspires you to work hard and to cultivate your own unique talents.”

Irene Limb Seoul, South Korea; Harvard University

Welcome to risk taking. our DNA, an being at Tha may find it is yours too. 6

positive Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in nd after acher you s part of SECTION 01.

5 ST U D E N T STO R I ES

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that to become your best self, you can’t only do what you’re already good at. From academics to leadership to hiking in the High Sierra to taking the stage, if the challenge is too hard, giving up is tempting. But if the challenge is too easy, success has no meaning. The secret to genuine achievement is taking on calibrated challenges every step of the way. That is Thacher’s expertise.

City kid to sustainability expert K IPPER BERV EN SEN IOR ; FROM S A N F R A NCISCO, CA L I FOR N I A

“That’s the beauty of this place: People encourage you to try, and fail, and then try again. From that, great successes are born.” Uncharted Territory

Freshman Year Pivotal Moment

“My freshman year, I tried out and performed in the school musical, became a B Camper, took ukulele lessons (and played for all the freshman parents), and began preparing myself to take Chinese classes for the first time ever. A year earlier I never could have dreamed of doing any of that.”

“I was the only ninth grader on a 120-mile mountain-biking trip from campus to Santa Barbara. I didn’t really have much downhill biking experience (in San Francisco you only need to go up!) and so I was really nervous. On the first day of the trip, I toppled off a cliff, scraping myself up and shattering my confidence. I didn’t think I could possibly finish the trip. By the last day, though, I was leading the pack up the trail, and was the first to reach the top and get a view of Santa Barbara in the distance, and feel that fresh ocean breeze on my face. Such a tangible growing experience will stick with me forever.”

How an Interest in Sustainability Became a Passion

10th Grade » Started helping to take care of Thacher’s pigs. 11th Grade » Went to Maine Coast Semester and worked on a farm » Took Thacher’s AP Environmental Science with Mr. Pidduck » With two other students was awarded the Kumana Prize, which provides funds and guidance for science projects. The project: sustainable water management » Started volunteering at a local organic farm » Completed significant trail maintenance work at Thacher as part of earning B Camper rating. 12th Grade » Became head of Thacher’s Environmental Action Committee

Starting in 10th grade, played three varsity sports

Football Soccer (Captain) Lacrosse (Captain)

How Academic Paths Evolve

From Physics » Honors Chem » AP Environmental Science » Advanced Topics in Environmental Science (where students create curriculum and help teach) » Science and Society (cool multidisciplinary course). From Spanish II » Spanish Honors III and Chinese I at same time » AP Spanish to post-AP Spanish (which focuses on sustainable development in Latin America) and auditing French I. From Math III » Math IV » AB Calculus » BC Calculus and Computer Science at the same time.

After Thacher

University of California, Berkeley

“Looking back at my time at Thacher, what surprises me most is the number and variety of different activities I’ve participated in. Before coming to Thacher I just considered myself as the stereotypical city kid: I spent all my free time playing sports and only felt comfortable surrounded by concrete. I came to Thacher and pretty much immediately felt comfortable trying some totally new things.”

Scooping the silver dollar B E N Y I H S E N IOR ; F R OM GR E E N W IC H , C ON N E C T IC U T

First-Year Surprise

“When you come to Thacher, you have this general idea of who you think you are and who you think you will be. For me, I mostly thought that I was going to keep my extracurricular activities strictly to sports. I’ve never thought of myself in any way artistic or theatrical. Being at Thacher has allowed me to continue my passion for sports, but more surprisingly, I have found a genuine interest in the arts. Freshman year a dorm mate taught me how to play the guitar and we ended up playing at Battle of the Bands. I also really enjoyed my photography class, and have had a blast acting in the Spring Sing this year.”

“I recently had the chance to visit Rwanda. Because of the discussions and work my classmates and I had done in AP Environmental Science and Economics, I had a much deeper understanding of the issues facing that country, as well as a better sense of how these challenges might be addressed.”

Senior Year Classes

AP Calculus AB, AP Macroeconomics, AP Physics B, Chinese IV, Honors English IV, Public Speaking

Three-Sport Athlete

Senior Ex:

Football, Basketball, Tennis

“Modern Spirituality and Biocentrism”

Pivotal Moment

“My evolutionary biology class junior year has shaped the student I am today. I was really interested in the subject, so when homework came around, I was doing above and beyond the recommended amount. For the first time, I felt as though I was inspired to learn, and that is an extraordinary feeling. This class has shown me that when I really pursue any of my interests, academic or not, the outcome is quite fulfilling.”

Silver Dollar Pick-Up

“I began with little love for riding, but early on I set my sights on getting the silver dollar, a feat that had not been accomplished by my two brothers who preceded me at Thacher. On the day of Big Gymkhana, I made three tries and failed. But I was able to do it on the last possible try a few days later.”

After Thacher

Dartmouth College

History meets activism H I L L A R Y E L L M A N J U N IOR ; F R OM L A K E O S W E G O, OR E G ON

Current Classes and Activities

AP Biology, AP English, AP Spanish Language, Honors U.S. History, Math IV Honors, Chamber Singers, JV Girls' Tennis, JV Lacrosse Captain, Senior Class President-Elect

Social Turning Point

Her Passion for History Led to a Very Modern-Day Project

Given the assignment in Honors American Studies to create a website on the legacy of slavery, she and two classmates focused on the sex slave trade and sex trafficking. Going beyond the class assignment, they designed a “teach a town” website and presentation. Their first “town” was the Thacher dorms. Next came the town of Ojai’s invitation to give a public talk on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Hillary and her two classmates were featured in the local paper.

“To kick off my sophomore year, I went on a camping trip in Kennedy Meadows led by physics teacher Mr. Harris. Of the seven students who went, only one other was a sophomore girl, whom I did not know very well. I began the trip apprehensively, but over card games and pita pizzas, she and I discovered we had similar tastes in music and similar senses of humor. We got along fantastically. After the trip, she helped me get to know some of her other close friends. That trip led to my finding my place among an amazing group of girls. Now, I enter my senior year with six best friends. These are friends I hope to stay in touch with for the rest of my life.”

Singing, Acting, and Performing

Hillary came to Thacher knowing the performing arts would be a big area of interest and talent that she wanted to explore. By her sophomore year, she earned a place in the Chamber Singers. She is also an accomplished pianist and has been a regular performer at Toad Fest during her time here. She recently returned from a singing tour in Italy with the Chamber Singers.

“Something that has really surprised me here is how integral the people who surround me are to my self-definition. Though I have spent the last three years at Thacher creating my own unique identity, I have found that my teachers, advisors, coaches, and friends have helped me become someone so much bigger and better than I could have learned to be by myself.”

Rising Senior

Future Plans

An accomplished writer, Hillary plans to major in English in college.

Multivariable calculus and multifaceted talent D OUG K L I N K J U N IOR ; F R OM E S T E S PA R K , C OL OR A D O

Current Classes and Activities

AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science, AP English, Foundations of Astronomy, U.S. History, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Singers

Going Solo

“I have been most surprised by my ability to sustain an incredibly diverse set of activities at a deep level across the board. I came to Thacher looking to do exactly that, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise, I suppose, but I’m still blown away by how easy Thacher makes it. Between school, music, horseback riding, and other sports, I’m able to pursue anything I want with vigor. Sure, free time is scarce, but there always seems to be just enough for one more thing.”

Rising Senior

“Freshman year, on a whim, I tried out for the musical Spamalot,” Doug says. He discovered he had a talent for singing and landed a solo, which led to his joining Chamber Singers sophomore year. “Jazz band is so much fun, but I love playing with a full orchestra. Just before spring break last year, I ran into the composer and Thacher alumnus James Newton Howard, who was on campus for an event. He said: ‘Do you want to play a solo in front of a professional orchestra?’ So I did. That was sweet.”

Working on Top Horseman

“I had a little experience riding when I arrived, but I didn’t expect my interest to take off the way it has. I love improving as a rider and also the unique challenge of getting better at training a horse. I’ve been working with the head of Thacher’s Horse Program, and also reading books about horse training and renting videos from the library. I’ve currently got Horseman status, which is a step below Top Horseman. Getting elected Top Horseman by the faculty means you become, in very practical terms, a member of the horse faculty. That’s what I’m shooting for.”

One of Thacher’s Highest-level Science and Math Students

Doug is taking AP Calculus BC as a junior and will move on to post-AP multivariable calculus next year. He dreams of becoming a scientist, and has been involved in the reinvigoration of the Thacher Observatory through an independent study under Dr. Jon Swift, who came to Thacher from Caltech. At the same time, Doug is an incredibly talented musician who was concertmaster of the youth orchestra in Denver. “Math and science are really my area and I love the math track I’ve been on this year. Working with Mr. Meyer and Dr. Swift has been incredible.”

Undefeated champion K E N N E DY G R E E N S E N IOR ; F R OM L O S A NGE L E S , C A L I F OR N I A

“Being here has allowed me to really get to know myself better as a person, with both my strengths and weaknesses.” Passions and Pursuits

Current Classes

Track, Volleyball, Basketball Manager, Prefect, Head Tour Guide

AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, Calculus, Honors English IV

Pivotal Moment

“Winning Rescue Race is the moment that separates who I was before Thacher and who I am now. Although I understood the importance of the Horse Program, freshman year I was not thrilled about riding or taking care of my very stubborn horse. Fast forward eight months: It’s Big Gymkhana day. Without any preparation, my friend Sarah and I attempted Rescue Race. The next thing I knew, I was swinging myself onto the back of a galloping horse. Winning the blue ribbon was so unexpected, but the accomplishment really changed me. Now I accept all challenges willingly. The experience opened my mind to the idea that anything is surmountable.”

Solving It On My Own

“Thacher has challenged me in ways that I didn’t know I could be challenged.” What’s been great is to be able to work through everything that comes my way and find a viable solution on my own.” From High School Class to College Major

“This year, I’ve been taking AP Macroeconomics. I really like that the class puts current issues in the trade market into perspective. I’m planning on majoring in economics at Williams.”

Record Setting

Running varsity track and field all four years at Thacher, Kennedy holds school records in the 200, 4x100, and 4x400. She also finishes as the undefeated four-time 100 and 200 league champion, never having lost during any league meet.

After Thacher

Williams College

Research has what Mr. Tha all along: Dee has a lot to do relationships 14

s proven acher knew ep learning o with s. SECTION 02.

A C A D E M I C S AT THACHER

We believe that the most meaningful, enduring learning happens in the context of relationships. It sounds simple—old-fashioned even— but everything we’ve discovered about the ideal learning environment for teenagers suggests that relationship-based education is essential. And anything but simple.

Plastic debris, marine biology, and the big picture identified the gun range as a problem area. Huge amounts of plastic debris are left by shell casings.” (The Twin Peaks Trap Range teaches students firearm safety and holds marksmanship competitions.) Robert says, “If we’re able to make a real change in terms of how the gun range operates, then this project will have a lasting impact after I graduate.” One of the first steps was to raise awareness on campus among both students and faculty. Robert made announcements at all-School Assemblies and helped organize gun range cleanups.

Ms. Grant and marine biology student Robert Welch prepare for Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Ocean Plastic Pollution Summit (top). Plastic debris from the gun range that makes its way to the ocean (bottom).

The Thacher campus lies just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, presenting marine biology teacher Heather Grant with a vast laboratory for learning. She recently designed a new class project connecting the marine biology curriculum to the global environmental issue of ocean plastic pollution. She says, “Robert decided to pursue his interest in the topic beyond the class. He and a small group of students recognized that the Thacher community is actually good about not using single-use plastics such as disposable cutlery or water bottles, but they

connected to our school community with ease. I appreciated that Robert saw the big picture—that this wasn’t about a one-time cleanup but a cultural shift that leaves the School and the environment better off long term.”

Robert Welch Junior Hometown Newburyport, Massachusetts

“In my experience, Thacher students just need specificity of expectations in order to be ‘pushed more,’” says Ms. Grant. She says she tends to lay out the progress that needs to be made and let the each student rise to the occasion (or fall short and learn from that experience). “When we went to the Ocean Plastic Pollution Summit to present our project, Robert and the other students displayed their knowledge and how it

Research shows that for deep learning to occur, teens must feel both safe and challenged. The “ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT,” as some researchers call it—that edge where a task or endeavor feels just beyond our reach but is, in reality, just within our reach— is the optimal brain state for learning and is different for every student. A teacher must not only know her students well in order to push them to that ideal state, but must also have their trust in order to keep them there.

Heather Grant Science Faculty

ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT

What I Can Do

WHAT I CAN DO WITH HELP What I Can’t Do

Legendary course meets masterpiece in scholarship

Jason Carney Chair of the History Department

Isabel Ouweleen Sophomore Hometown Chicago, Illinois

At this point, Mr. Carney’s History of Afghanistan and Pakistan course has earned quite the reputation among students and alumni. As one senior said, “Sophomore year, a bunch of us took it. I think it changed the course of some of our lives.” When asked about the popularity of the course, Mr. Carney explains it this way: “My sense is that students greatly enjoy the current nature of the course’s content and the heightened understanding of the AfPak region that they achieve in a relatively short time (one trimester). They are exposed to a range of captivating topics (terrorist “Isabel and I worked closely together groups, women’s rights, drone usage, recently on a policy paper where educational and health care options, reshe proposed a nuanced approach ligious extremism, the region’s natural for the United States government beauty) and allowed to take a deep dive to take with Pakistan. It was not an into one of them with a trimester-closeasy paper to write given the myriad ing, research-based major assessment. complexities involved between the They feel empowered by having an two governments. Isabel met with me important role in what they study, early in the paper-writing process to which makes the learning process brainstorm ideas and then lay out a more meaningful.” succinct and workable argument. We Isabel says she decided to write met again after she had her outline. her research paper on the ethical and Once given the green light, she set out psychological implications of drones. to paint her masterpiece.” “I was concerned at first that the topic would be too difficult and controver“The material in this course was sial for me to effectively address. Mr. exciting for me. We were discussing Carney encouraged me to stick with the geopolitical relationships of it and suggested that, often, the most Afghanistan and Pakistan and how gratifying things are those that initially the U.S. has influenced the region. seem the most difficult. He could not It was fascinating and humbling to have been more right; completing the learn about information that so few paper was one the proudest and most of us understand, but that is so relesatisfying moments of my year.” vant in our lives. I love that now Her paper is a treat to read, I can pick up a newspaper and read says Mr. Carney. “It’s the work of a an article about the F.A.T.A. region true scholar.” and understand the significance of the issues.”

News-making scientist involves his students in reopening Thacher Observatory Thacher science and math teacher Jon Swift is part of an international team of astronomers who recently made big news with their discovery of our galaxy’s oldest-known planets. Dr. Swift, who came to Thacher from Caltech, is responsible for involving students in the reopening of Thacher’s Observatory.

Natalie Osuna Sophomore Hometown Los Angeles, California

Jon Swift Director of the Thacher Observatory; Math and Science Faculty

“When I came to Thacher, I never imagined I would be immersing myself in the world of astronomy, let alone helping with the sky classification of the school’s Observatory. Dr. Swift has taught me that it is OK to only vaguely grasp a concept at first and that even the most challenging concepts are attainable with time. I’ve been inspired to absorb as much knowledge as possible—especially after learning the potential research that can be done at Thacher as the Observatory evolves.” “Mentorship is like a dance where both partners need to participate for it to work. Well-designed projects that involve responsibility and consequences naturally provide an appropriate amount of push and pull for students. Introducing Natalie to ways in which the mathematics she knows applies to our physical world has been very rewarding. She was able to participate in all aspects of measuring the brightness of the night sky in the Ojai Valley: from opening the boxes with our new devices the day they arrived, to planting them in the ground, installing their software, acquiring data, through to doing the data analysis.

Natalie is a mature, interested, and motivated student, so giving her the opportunity to present her work at a professional science conference has provided basically all the motivation she needs. Being only a sophomore, there is a lot of potential for Natalie. The basic tools she has learned this term set the stage for her curiosity and interest to take her as far as she wants to go.”

Four years of new ideas From the books you’ll read to Senior Ex

AP English III

Turning Toward Home: The Art and Craft of Personal Narrative

What is America? In our team taught History/ English course, investigate the American past and present in innovative ways.

Prepares you for the BC level AP exam with an introduction to multivariable calculus.

Read acclaimed memoirs. Learn to write your own.

AP Computer Science

Data Structures and Robotics

AP Chinese and Beyond

Design, code, test as you complete two to three major programming projects.

Sensor-actuator design is at the core of the course as you create autonomous robots.

Five levels of Chinese are offered, as well as an opportunity for study trips to China.

AP Latin IV

AP Chemistry

Read Virgil’s Aeneid in the original Latin. Gain fluency, precision, and elegance of translation and prepare for the AP Latin exam.

Theoretical concepts in quantitative chemical problem-solving are developed through class discussion and indoor/outdoor lab work.

Decolonization and the Cold War in Africa

Anti-colonial revolutions and Africa today through politics, economics, literature, film, music, and history.

Advanced Calculus Topics

AP Physics: Mechanics C

Calling future engineers— if you’re thinking about majoring in engineering or physical sciences in college, this course is for you.

History of China

Latin American History

From the Opium Wars to the fall of the Qing dynasty, the rise of the Chinese Communist Party and China’s race to modernization.

Explore what Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Cuba reveal about Latin America from 1850 to today.

History of the Modern Middle East

150 years of political, cultural, and intellectual changes in the Middle East.

Advanced Wood Design

AP Music Theory

Design and construct furniture built to the standards of a family heirloom.

Push your knowledge and skills through sight singing, studies in harmony, and music composition.

AP Studio Art

Inside Baseball

Astronomy

24 new pieces in your portfolio through this advanced and fast-paced class.

Get inside the statistical revolution that has swept the game over the last decade and a half in a class called Baseball Statistics.

Serious stargazing at the Thacher Observatory with Thacher teacher and astronomer Dr. Swift.

Film

The creative and technical innovations in American film from 1930 to 1980.

Chewonki Semester

Challenging academic program for juniors in Maine on a 400acre peninsula emphasizing environmental studies.

Wilderness Survival

International Faculty-Led Trips

Survival first aid basics: response and assessment, injuries, and environmental emergencies.

Recent off-campus study led by Thacher faculty has included trips to China, Cuba, and Spain.

Senior Exhibition Project

Throughout senior year, each senior works one-on-one with a faculty advisor and an â&#x20AC;&#x153;exhibition coach,â&#x20AC;? exploring an academic subject of personal interest that will be presented to the Thacher community. Senior Ex projects have led many alumni to their career dreams and realities. Recent projects: High-Frequency Trading, The Ethics of Performance-Enhancing Drugs, Biomimicry in Architecture and Urban Planning, Bits to Atoms: Social and Economic Impacts of 3D Printing, The Current State of Student Debt, Of Quarks and Quasars.

Peer press not always What mat most is wh peers are. 22

sure is s bad. tters ho your SECTION 03.

THACHER’S SCHOOL C U LT U R E

Most of usâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;teens in particularâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; are navigating a world that would have us believe we are not beautiful enough, not charismatic enough, not strong enough. At Thacher, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy it and neither do our students. We actively assess and measure our culture. The result is that Thacher is regularly cited as one of the healthiest high schools in the nation.

In a recent survey, students at 23 boarding schools were asked to rate the level of respect at their school. The survey asked students to think specifically about attitudes towards race, sexual orientation, and gender. The responses from Thacher’s 9th grade students were so positive they received the highest rating.

99% Students who selected “low” as opposed to “medium” or “high” when asked how they would describe the intensity of peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, and/or drugs on campus.

PERCENT

A+

100

REVEALING NUMBERS

Parents who responded “yes” when asked if they would recommend Thacher to a friend or relative.

6.39 out of 7

Student satisfaction rating on overall level of health and happiness at Thacher

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY “Of all the schools I have been privileged to visit, Thacher, handsdown, is doing it right. It has created a student culture, passed from one class to another, that overtly expresses, without reservation, its belief that alcohol and drugs play absolutely no role in the lives of the students at the School.” Richard Ryan Expert on Teenage Drug and Alcohol Prevention

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I had to come up with just one reason why Thacher has had, for the past five years, the highest yield rate of any boarding school, it would be that Thacher uniquely combines high-achieving academic rigor and character-building challenges within what we believe is the most authentic, positive, and healthy peer culture of any school in the country. Every year, families tell us they have not found this combination of attributes at any other school.â&#x20AC;? Bill McMahon Director of Admission

“Being from New England, we had plenty of fantastic boarding schools to choose from and visited many. But something was missing. Having heard of Thacher’s strong reputation, we made the trip to Ojai. The beauty of the place struck us first, but over the course of our visit, what we (and, more importantly, our son) began to see was the strong sense of community the school is known for. A rigorous academic and extracurricular culture does not need to preclude a culture of respect, support, and balance. We knew it would take an exceptional place to encourage us to send our son (and then our daughter) to the other side of the country. No other school gave us and our children such a strong sense of ‘home and family.’ Both of our kids have thrived here, and we’ve never second guessed our decision to send them to Thacher.” Jamie Macmillan Past parent, Alexander CdeP 2010, Wesleyan University; Nancy CdeP 2013, University of Virginia

It’s not ab the horse mountain It’s about 28

bout es or the ns. t you. SECTION 04.

HORSE & OUTDOOR PROGRAM

At first, it might not seem obvious that a 1,200-pound animal is the best teacher of true leadership skills. Or that camping on a mountain above 10,000 feet is your path to a newfound independence. Most of our students have never ridden or backpacked before. What they find is that mastering horse and mountain prepares you for challenges like nothing elseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether that means acing a job interview, running a political campaign, or raising kids of your own. 30

While iPhones and Facebook might beckon us to distraction, nothing focuses one’s attention so much as rising early with friends, walking to the barns on a crisp, sunny morning, and caring for and feeding another living thing dependent on you. “Much is made of learning to be independent when you go to boarding school or college. Here you have that responsibility for yourself but also for another creature. It makes you even more capable in your later years at Thacher and also in college, grad school, and beyond.”

Sarah Cunningham Atlanta, Georgia

You learn a new language and mindset. Horses like to conserve energy, so when you’re first getting acquainted they think the easy path is to ignore you. Your job is to figure out how to get the horse to understand that working with you is the easy path. To be a success with horses, teenagers have to change how they normally navigate the world. They need to be nuanced and learn to give just the right amount of pressure (not too little or too much). They need to be forward looking—literally and figuratively.

“You’re part of this tradition that’s been going on for over a century. The fact that we still make horses part of a Thacher education is really, really cool. It’s that whole idea of grit—knowing that you can overcome all the little things that make it difficult makes you a stronger person.” Briggs Boss Santa Barbara, California

Living in the backcountry with your teachers, with your schoolmates, with wildlife, gives you real work and responsibility— and immediate feedback about your actions.

Beyond all-school trips, the Outdoor Program includes faculty-led trips of six or seven students to such varied destinations as Yosemite, the Los Padres National Forest, the Lost Coast, and the Mojave Desert to climb, backpack, horse-camp, kayak, and canoe. All trips stress “minimum-impact” camping skills as well as self-sufficiency and cooperative teamwork. Regular weekend camping trips are also a mainstay of the program.

But remember, the Horse Program isn’t just good for you—it’s a blast. Imagine, when you have passed your riders’ test, you and your friends can explore trails all on your own. “My friends and I have started a tradition where we take a two-hour ride to the top of Twin Peaks to celebrate the end of our last exam of the term. Nothing feels better than the freedom the trail brings. Once we get to the summit, and get that stunning view of the valley, all the stress and worry of finals go away.”

Many students opt to ride even after they have fulfilled their requirement, especially in the spring, when all riders have become skilled enough to participate in the annual Gymkhana and teams of riders compete in traditional events of speed, skill, and derring-do.

Kipper Berven San Francisco, California

Thacher’s 427 acres sit at the foot of California’s Los Padres National Forest. Twice a year—fall and spring— we head out as an entire school for a week of hiking and camping. Given the importance of understanding and sustaining the natural world, it is an invaluable education you will carry with you throughout your life. It’s an education in ways that are unimaginable until you’ve experienced it— changing how you view the world, changing who you are.

“The Outdoor Program is really amazing. Living in the city, how could I have known I would love rock climbing? Being surrounded by all this incredible beauty actually makes you want to run and climb a 30-foot rock just because it seems invigorating.” Owen Driscoll Oakland, California

High school be an expan experience to broaden h not narrow 34

l should nsive â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a time horizons, them. SECTION 05.

ARTS & AT H L E T I C S

Student Name, Class

Do you define yourself more as an artist or an athlete? At Thacher, you won’t have to choose. Athletically, many of our teams vie for championships and our graduates go on to serious college teams. Our performing arts avenues offer coursework and programs for already accomplished performers. But earning a spot on a varsity sport by your junior or senior year, playing saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble, writing for the literary magazine, or starring in the play doesn’t necessarily require a proven track record. We will give you every opportunity to explore all your talents—even those you have yet to discover—to create a varied portfolio of interests and excel at the highest levels.

HOMETOWN XX

Adam Marcelo, Freshman F R OM W E S T ON , M A S S AC H U S E T T S

ACTIVE AFTERNOONS Sports, Yoga, Dance, Riding, Rock Climbing

Before graduation each student plays on at least one Third, JV, or Varsity team. We play for the love of the game. We play because winning and losing are means for learning about commitment, friendship, cooperation, competition, limits, and stress. Our humble mascot, the Toad, belies Thacher’s success on field and court with recent 1 undefeated seasons in boys’ lacrosse and cross country, and girls’ tennis among the top teams for our division. Thacher athletes have great success in college sports programs. FALL 8-man Football Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Dance Girls’ Tennis Girls’ Volleyball

“Two games into my freshman year, I was lucky enough to be invited to play varsity football. At the same time, I started playing baritone saxophone in Thacher’s jazz band. In the winter, we went to the football playoffs and I also started on JV basketball and joined the cast of the winter musical. The show was The Pajama Game. I really enjoyed the experience, which included a few singing solos. In the spring, I had the chance to create my own act for Toad Fest, play varsity lacrosse, perform in a voice recital, and compete in Battle of the Bands. You really can do it all here.”

Horse Program Rock Climbing

WINTER Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Boys’ and Girls' Soccer Horse Program Yoga

SPRING Baseball Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse Boys’ Tennis Boys’ and Girls’ Track Dance Horse Program Rock Climbing

Creating Possibility

A vanguard space for performances, rehearsals, and classes, The Milligan Center for the Performing Arts is one of the top performance venues in the region, with a professional stage, orchestra pit, and seating for 450. Backstage facilities include large music and dance rehearsal spaces, and practice and dressing rooms.

Grace Bingham, Senior F R OM PA L M B E AC H , F L OR I DA ; A F T E R T H AC H E R NORT H E A S T E R N U N I V E R S I T Y

Our century-old Outdoor Theatre is a rustic amphitheater of huge boulders beneath oaks and sycamores, with a seasonal stream running between the audience and stage.

The Thacher Masquers stage two large-scale theatrical productions during the year, a fall drama and a winter musical. A third large production is the Spring Sing, directed and often written by students. Smaller productions happen year round, including showcase performances during Family and Gymkhana Weekends. Students have several two-and three-dimensional art studios, including newly expanded photography darkroom facilities and the Royal Barney Hogan Workshop—one of the finest woodworking shops and custom furniture facilities on any secondary school campus.

As befits her name, Grace glides along the baseline of the hard court, down the grassy sidelines cradling the lacrosse ball, and across stages at Thacher, China, and Italy. One of her star qualities is that her best work happens on teams, in ensembles, and as part of a chorus. As her tennis coach says, “She always puts what’s best for the team ahead of her own needs.” “Having been deeply involved in musical theater and the tennis tournament world from a young age, it was extremely important to me when choosing my high school that I could continue both my art and athletic interests as intensely as I had been able to beforehand. In my four years here, I was able to take the lead in the school musical, be a member of a top com-

petitive chamber choir, as well as the select Dance Ensemble at Thacher. With this dance group, I even had the chance to perform in China. What I am truly grateful for is that I could take advantage of these opportunities without compromising my athletic passions—playing tennis at a high level all four years and captaining the varsity team. This has been no ordinary education: I’ve taken my passions beyond what I could have imagined.”

Alex Levers, Senior F R OM N E W YOR K , N E W YOR K ; A F T E R T H AC H E R O C C I DE N TA L C OL L E GE

The best way to get to know Alex is to hear him riff a guitar solo or wail a sweet blues song. You know he is a gifted artist when you see him fronting the jazz band. Then you see him racing across the gridiron, speeding down the track, and you hear him speak not one but three languages: English, French, and Spanish. In the expression of all these gifts, what drives Alex is a keen sense of what’s right—and a genuine curiosity about life.

“When I came to Thacher I wasn’t very athletic, but at the end of my senior year I’d made it to the varsity football team and had been a part of a record-breaking varsity track 4x400 team. I also played with the jazz band and had the really cool opportunity to play for and with The Voice finalist Matt McAndrew. He had given a concert for the whole school and offered a workshop the following morning. I got there late and one of my teachers said, ‘Since you were late, you have to play us a song now.’ Matt handed me his Gibson Hummingbird and left the stool. I hid my nerves and performed Something Like Olivia by John Mayer. When Matt said, ‘That was great, dude! Wanna do something together?’ I thought I was dreaming.”

Singing groups include the Thacher Chorus and the Thacher Chamber Singers, a select group that performs nationally and internationally during school breaks. Instrumental ensembles vary from year to year depending on student interest, but typical options include the Jazz Ensemble, a pit orchestra for the winter musical, and numerous ad hoc groups formed for coffee houses, independent projects, and Assembly performances. Private lessons: Ojai is rich in talented professional musicians, some of whom provide weekly individual instruction for students at Thacher. The Director of the Music Program facilitates these arrangements by pairing interested students with able instructors. Lesson times are fit into each student’s academic schedule.

Thacher has several music practice rooms, which are also used for student lessons. One of the rooms is also fully fitted with equipment for composing and recording electronic music. Dance is offered all year at Thacher. Students can select dance as a sport in fall and spring, and more serious dancers can audition for the Dance Ensemble. A stunning dance rehearsal space combines a suspended floor with breathtaking mountain views.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come we breathe d Let these your teac Sherman Day Thacher, School Founder

est, deep. e hills be chers.” SECTION 06.

CAMPUS & STUDENT LIFE

55 TRUTHS, T R A DI T IONS , A N D N O T-T O -B E - M I S S E D FAV O R I T E S T H AT M A K E T H AC H E R

T H AC H E R

One of Thacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most celebrated teachers, Forest H. Cooke, who was on the faculty from 1912 to 1945, wrote the Thacher Litany, in which he counted 55 things that make Thacher Thacherâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from 10 pleasant smells (orange blossoms in March, the top of Pine Mountain), nine memorable sights, eight significant sounds (orioles in the cottonwoods, Shakespeare), seven best teachers, six things to learn, five things to avoid, four resorts in times of trouble, three great letters, two necessities (courage and understanding), to one essential (truth). In honor of Mr. Cooke, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our modern day litany.*

8 Flag, Cloverleaf Barrels, Keyhole, Ribbon Race, Ring Spearing, Rescue Race, Hurry Scurry, Diamond Hitch Packing Race, and Silver Dollar Pick-Up.

1. Honor Code

Honor, fairness, kindness, and truth: Our Honor Code isn’t just words; it’s a way of living. Juniors and seniors take exams unproctored; doors aren’t locked. It’s cherished by both students and faculty and central to all areas of life at Thacher. For graduates it becomes the code they live by. 2. The Chambered Nautilus

For over one hundred years, our Head of School has begun the year’s first Assembly with a reading of Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.’s poem The Chambered Nautilus. The chambered nautilus is the spiral shell of a sea creature that symbolizes every student’s mission to grow intellectually and personally. 3. Silver Dollar Club

The culminating athletic challenge of a student’s first year is the chance to join the Silver Dollar Club at Big Gymkhana. You join the club if you can scoop a silver dollar off the ground from a loping horse. How many members are there? 392 so far. 4. Big Gymkhana

The centerpiece of spring Family Weekend, Gymkhana is a series of athletic events on horseback with such names as: California Poles, Figure

5. Orange and Green

55 TRUTHS

*With special thanks to our students, faculty, and alumni for helping to put together this little guide within a guide: Cecelia, Dallas, Emma, Finn, Greg, Hayley, Jane, Jeffrey, Kaja, Kara, Laura, May, Molly, Owen, Sam, Shin, Skylar, Stella, Wesley, and Yosephina.

There is a reason our school colors are orange and green. Orange and olive groves have been here since the School was founded. A favorite for those living on campus is the fragrance of orange blossoms on dewy mornings as the sun comes up. 6. Diverse Cultures and Ideas

As alumna Maria Hernandez CdeP 2013 says, “The diverse cultures, personalities, and ideas enmeshed in the Ojai Valley at Thacher make the School irreplaceable.” 7. Unrivaled Support

“Academics at Thacher are very challenging, but the small class size and the high level of support from teachers create an environment where you can really excel,” says Dallas. 8. Camping and Why

At Thacher, we retreat to the woods and mountains for many different reasons. We go to learn that nothing will get done unless we do it ourselves, that there is no one else responsible for our welfare. We learn that working together is ultimately better and easier than the purely individual endeavor. We learn that preparation is critical for

9. Twin Peaks

11.

One of 19 trails on and around campus. As Skylar says, “Whenever I need a break, I can climb the mountain and clear my head.” 10. Dorm Life

13.

Thacher students live in one of six gradespecific dorms. Dorms are arranged in sections of about six students and one senior prefect who helps serve as a role model and informal advisor. Faculty heads run each dorm with help from prefects and other faculty advisors, who provide fun and bonding activities such as Mr. Jacobsen’s ‘dillas (quesadillas) every Wednesday. The cheeseon-the-outside secret brings them to a whole new level.

14.

Our students, and seniors in particular, run the School in many ways. With several important leadership positions open to seniors, the goal is for every student to have the opportunity to take personal responsibility for

12.

11. Leadership

the welfare of some dimension of the School through a leadership experience. “Senior Leadership perfectly encompasses the trust faculty have in students here. Prefectship is unbelievably rewarding. I am never going to forget the way my girls look up to me,” says Stella.

55 TRUTHS

10.

a positive outcome. We learn, as did Thoreau, that “the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men,” and we therefore learn the importance of traveling softly upon it. Perhaps most importantly, we learn that there is an inherent grace to the wilderness that enriches and uplifts our spirits. —Excerpted from The Thacher School Camping Manual

12. Saturday Night Open House

Regardless of whatever else is happening on campus, Saturday night is always Open House at the Mulligans’ (Head of School Michael Mulligan and his wife, faculty member Joy SawyerMulligan). “Go to Open House. It may feel weird at first that it’s held at the Head’s home, but it’s an awesome way to chill with friends, enjoy good food, watch a movie, play ping pong, draw, dance. There are plenty of things for you to choose from,” says Wesley. “Open House is my favorite,” adds Emma. “Ms. Mulligan’s chocolate chip cookies rival my mom’s.” 13. The Knoll

“The best freshman hangout spot by far. Feeling nostalgic as I write it,” says May. 14. Warm Welcome

“When I first visited Thacher, everyone I met, faculty and students, greeted me with a smile. They understood my hesitations and nervousness. In the end, I took a chance on Thacher, stepping out of my comfort zone, leav-

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

ing everything familiar. Three years later, I’m still loving every minute of it,” says Kaja. 15. Having a Horse in Your Life

At Thacher, having a horse in your life becomes second nature. Picture this: “Racing on

20.

your horse for the first time, wind in your hair, knowing you’re right where you want to be.” “Riding down to upper field and watching a soccer game, as the sun sets behind you.” “Riding into town to grab brunch with your friends. It’s going to be one of your favorite

memories. Just remember to tie your ropes tight!” 16-19. Campus as Laboratory

Sherman Day Thacher said, “Let these hills be your teachers.” That statement not only speaks to the lessons of the trail but to the way

Thacher uses its campus and surroundings in many of its courses. Here are four examples: conducting an invertebrate census in Reeves Creek, studying a meteor shower from the School’s Observatory, organic farming experiments in raised garden beds, mem-

“Their gratitude is my best pay for my work.”

20. Weekends

Four nights a week we sit down for family-style dinners. Each table includes students from every grade, plus a faculty member or two, often with his or her family. Table assignments are shuffled every few weeks, so that by the end of the year, students have mixed with kids from all the different classes. At the end of a full day, Formal Dinner allows us to come together as a community to share the news, triumphs, and trials of the day.

22. Formal Dinners

21.

Trivia Bowl, dances, plays, coffee houses with student performers, campus-wide capture the flag, visiting speakers, Open Houses, and trips to Ventura and Santa Barbara, museums, cultural events, and camping trips. Thacher’s Indoor Committee, composed of students and faculty, plans fun and relaxing Friday and Saturday night activities. Special cultural weekends are also planned, including outings such as: T H E CA L IFO RN IA S CIE NCE C E N TER: “GOOSE BUMPS! T H E S CIE NCE O F FE A R ”

22.

T H E GETTY CENTER AND T H E G ETTY VIL L A G O S PEL BRUNCH AT THE H O U SE OF BLUES, H OL LYWO O D H U N TINGTON LIBRARY, A RT CO L L E CTIO N S, A N D B OTA NICA L G A RD E NS LA BOHÈ ME AT THE D O R OTHY CHANDLER PAV I L I O N T H E M O N TE REY COWB OY

55 TRUTHS

oir writing through close observation of the life of the School.

23. The Humble Toad

“Did you say … Thacher Toads?” Yes, the Toad is our School mascot. Nick Thacher, a grandson of founder Sherman Day Thacher and a 1963 graduate, explains why: “I spearheaded the movement to name Thacher’s teams the Toads. ‘Toads seemed appropriate because the nature of such beasts is one of humility and quiet persistence.”

P O ETRY & M U SIC FE STIVA L

23.

R O NALD REAGAN MUSEUM A N D L IBRA RY W I C KED AND DINNER IN H OL LYWO O D

21. After Class Thank Yous

24.

“I love how students say thank you to teachers after a class,” says Hayley. “It’s my favorite ‘what makes Thacher Thacher,’ too,” says one teacher.

24. Play and Musical Opening Nights

“The moment when the curtain opens is well worth the months of hard work that came before it,” says Laura. “Sharing your passion and putting yourself out there is especially gratifying at Thacher, where the audience is always so energetic and supportive.”

25. Bees, Hogs, Composting

Thacher is on its way to being one of the most sustainable campuses in the nation. A key part of that is teaching students how to cultivate and eat healthy, thoughtfully sourced food. Thacher has invested substantially in greener dorms, solar energy, and water conservation. A similar interest in sustainability has animated the Environmental Action Committee, which has helped launch programs that include using kitchen waste to feed hogs, raising bees to produce honey, composting manure, and fueling campus vehicles with Thacher-made biodiesel. 26. Munchouts and Finals Treats

Throughout the year, prefects host dorm munchouts, which involve tasty snacks, good conversation, and lots of laughter. Then there are Finals Treats. Each night during final exams in fall and spring, students close their books at 9:30 and dash to the Dining Hall or The Commons for a study break, featuring treats that range from specialty waffles, donuts, and cereal to quesadillas and ice cream bars. Finals Treats are great moments to come together and relax and celebrate the close of the term.

and personal counsel. Advisors are in regular communication with their advisees’ teachers and prefects, ready to help with a difficult class, celebrate a birthday, and host dinners in their homes. Perhaps most important, they keep parents informed about their students’ growth at Thacher, serving as a link between families and the Thacher community. 28. UnProm

No limos, expensive dresses, or tux rentals for this prom. Every other year, Thacher teachers put on an all-out dance for students called the UnProm. Quirky, vintage and thrift-store attire, assigned dates for the first dance, and an unexpected theme, of course—all of which bears just enough resemblance to a typical high school prom to be very fun.

25.

29. TOAD Talks

Our version of TED Talks. On Monday mornings, the Teacher On Active Duty (yes, the TOAD) gives a short talk on a topic that intrigues him or her, reads a poem, sings a song, or in some other expressive way shares something of personal, collective, or even universal importance and application. This is another way we all gain insight into each other’s perspectives on the world.

26.

27.

27. Advisors

All faculty members advise approximately five students each, offering both academic

30. Pasture Rides

Just before each vacation, students in the Horse Program saddle up their

29.

28.

55 TRUTHS

steeds for the six-mile trek to pasture. Through orchards and fields and across a stream or two, small groups of riders walk, trot, and lope, winding their way to the wide open spaces where their horses will run and play during their break. When students return, they are bused back down to pasture, where they catch their horses, saddle up, and—now reacquainted with their equine friends— ride back to campus. 31. Personal Favorites

30.

The swings, the pool, soft serve ice cream, and weekend brunch smoothies, class dodge ball challenges, making freshly squeezed orange juice in the orchard with friends, receiving a “you have a package” email, and Beach Day. 32. Toad Fest

A time-honored tradition, Toad Music Fest fills The Milligan Center for the Performing Arts with people and music. Most recently, students, parents, siblings, faculty, and alumni staged over 30 acts of music, poetry, and dance. 33. Surprise Holiday

Tradition has it that if a student can make a snowball on the Pergola (the central courtyard of the campus), everyone is given a day off from classes. Holidays are also granted in celebration of the birth of a faculty baby, or sometimes, just because. 31.

32.

33.

34. 34. Visiting Scholars and Artists

All year long, the campus welcomes visiting scholars, artists in residence, and other guests who share their special expertise. Recent Anacapa Scholars have included: D R . E D WA R D AY E R S Historian, President of the University of Richmond

35. NANCY BOUTILIER Author, Professor at Oberlin College

S I LV I A G R I J A L B A Spanish Fiction Writer, Journalist

J O N AT H A N M A R T I N Education Consultant

PHIL CONDON Nature Writer

MELISSA JOHNSON & D E R E K TAY L O R K E N T Film Director & Writer

RIKI OTT Environmentalist, Community Activist, Author

CLARK JUDGE White House Speechwriter

MARY LOUISE P ORTER Plein Air Artist

STEVEN KIRBY Musician, Professor at Berklee College of Music

BRUCE SMITH Poet

KIERSTEN TODT COON Cyber Security Specialist J I M C U LV E R Staff Trainer, National Outdoor Leadership School D AV I D E W I N G D U N C A N Writer, Journalist SCOTT FRANK Writer, Director

CYNTHIA LEE Dancer

MARK SPRAGG Author R U T H C O O P E R WA R D Survival Expert

55 TRUTHS

Photos this page and next (35â&#x20AC;&#x201C;54), Thacher clubs

Some Thacher clubs, such as Thacher Pack and Spur, have been active for well over a century. Others wax and wane as different students bring their own interests, passions, and expertise to the community.

Current popular clubs: U N I T E D C U LT U R E S OF THACHER Discusses issues of diversity THE SIR WINSTON C H U R C H I L L D E B AT E SOCIETY Prepares debates about national and world events

THE FILM SOCIETY Watches and critiques different types of films THE MAD BOMBER SKI SOCIETY Plans trips to areas within driving distance LANGUAGE CLUBS Spanish, Chinese, French

BEE CLUB Maintains the campus hives and supplies honey to the Dining Hall

55. Senior Tribute

Thacher Commencement isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the typical diplomaand-a-handshake routine. Instead, each senior stands for a few minutes on the dais with the Head of School to hear a Senior Tribute. Everyone listens as the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinctive qualities are named and applauded. Each accolade is a hint at

the legacy left behind and the promise taken out into the world by each Thacher graduate.

55 TRUTHS

55.

“…To do the in the world can till the b can do is all Thacher’s Banquet Song

best work d that we best we l done.” S E C T I O N 0 7.

COLLEGE PL ACEMENT & ALUMNI SUCCESS

Our combination of high achievement and a positive school culture develops in students lasting self-esteem and a skill set for success in college and far beyond. We believe college counseling is not just about getting into the colleges of your choice; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also about thriving once you get there. Our approach yields strong results, and we appreciate that colleges recognize what it means to be a Thacher graduate.

Greatest good leadership Sherman Day Thacher believed education wasn’t just the making of scholars but “the training of the younger generation in the art of living for their own greatest good and the greatest good of their fellow citizens.” The goal of a Thacher education is clear: to deliver to the world young leaders who have moved from a focus on self to a focus on others, from an attitude of “What’s in it for me?” to one of “What can I do for those around me?” Thacher graduates carry with them into the world self-esteem—the solid, lasting kind— that comes from real challenges with real consequences. They leave here with an expanded sense of self and a unique set of skills for learning and living beyond Thacher. Here are a few of their stories and the ways in which they are pursuing their own paths of greatest good leadership. WILLI A M H O C K EY CdeP 2 008

“When I open an application from a Thacher student, I know I’m going to meet a student who has been encouraged to try new things, to seek out close, meaningful relationships with adults, and to identify and step into leadership opportunities. Thacher’s riding program, its prefect system, and its close-knit campus community make for a unique mix that encourages and develops these strengths. In our experience, Thacher students are comfortable with themselves because they have not only been challenged academically but challenged to take risks and try new things. As a result, they are not afraid to speak up, to step up, or to take the lead.” Nicholas Strohl Former Assistant Director of Admissions, Yale University

As a junior at Emory University, Hockey earned summer internship offers from top tech companies as well as management consulting firm Bain & Company. He chose Bain but went on to co-found computer software company Plaid shortly after graduating. Named to Forbes Magazine’s list of 30 Under 30 Changing the World, Hockey and

his partner used their experience working at Bain to create a platform that makes banking data easier for developers to use. As Hockey puts it, Plaid “takes archaic systems like the financial transaction records of banks and credit card issuers and lets smart young people use that data to build new and disruptive companies.” In fact, companies have been

so impressed with Plaid’s software that popular mobile apps like Foursquare and Venmo, as well as American Express, Chase, and Bank of America, have teamed up with Hockey’s company.

Over the last five years, four or more Thacher students have enrolled at the following colleges and universities. (List is in order of most Thacher students enrolled to fewest.)

STA N FO R D U N I V E R S I T Y COLORADO COLLEGE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DARTMOUTH COLLEGE TUFTS UNIVERSITY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY O C C I D E N TA L C O L L E G E NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE COLBY COLLEGE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND BOWDOIN COLLEGE DUKE UNIVERSITY H A RVA R D U N I V E R S I T Y POMONA COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY BOSTON UNIVERSITY BROWN UNIVERSITY C O L G AT E U N I V E R S I T Y MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN VA N D E R B I LT U N I V E R S I T Y WA S H I N G T O N U N I V E R S I T Y I N S T. L O U I S W E S L E YA N U N I V E R S I T Y WILLIAMS COLLEGE

C H R I STI NE CART ER, PHD Cd eP 1990

A sociologist and senior fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Christine Carter, PhD, is the author of The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work and Raising Happiness. After receiving her BA from Dartmouth College, Christine received her PhD in sociology from UC Berkeley. Quoted and featured widely in the media, her books and classes have helped thousands of parents raise joyful children and live lives that maximize their greatest strengths with the greatest ease. B E L SA SA R L EPE Cd eP 2 0 0 5

“Thacher laid the groundwork for my success. I attended Stanford University and took fascinating classes alongside some of the best and brightest. I worked at Google for two years, and now I am living the American dream, as a founding member of a technology company in California’s Silicon Valley,” says Belsasar Lepe, who co-founded global technology company Ooyala. The company specializes in hosting videos for large corporate and media clients like AOL, Warner Brothers, TV Guide, and National Geographic. Ooyala harnesses the power of big data to help broadcasters, operators, and media companies build more engaged audiences.

PETER FRYKMAN CdeP 2 0 0 1

While studying product design and engineering in college, Peter Frykman discovered that “90 percent of the world’s products are designed for 10 percent of the population. Faced with issues of global water and food scarcity, I prefer to design for the other 90 percent.” He went on to found Driptech, an international water technologies company that began on the Stanford campus and is currently based in Pune, India. Driptech produces affordable, high-quality irrigation systems designed for small-plot farmers. The World Economic Forum selected Driptech as a “Technology Pioneer” and BusinessWeek has featured Driptech as a “top five most promising social enterprises.” RAUL PACHECO CdeP 1 986

Raul Pacheco is the lead singer for Grammy award-winning band Ozomatli. Ozomatli is a band on a mission—a social mission that has spent the better part of the last 15 years fusing activism and music, enjoying tremendous success in each realm. When the band first began, it wanted to help ensure that property in downtown Los Angeles continued to be utilized for local inhabitants. To draw attention to its cause, the band fused together traditional Mexican folk songs, funk and reggae bass lines, alongside looped tracks from DJ Cut Chemist. This tension between musical styles is what makes Ozomatli so unique in the musical world. Later, Ozomatli’s embrace of this fusion of music and social activism took a new and somewhat unexpected turn when the band members were appointed as “cultural ambassadors” by the U.S.

Department of State. With musical influences as varied as Carlos Santana and Southern hip-hop’s Arrested Development, every tune laid down by Ozomatli feels like a lyrical and tonal trip around the world at breakneck speed.

T E R D E M A USSERY Cd eP 197 7

Terdema Ussery is president and CEO of the National Basketball Association’s RUKM I N I CA L L I M AC H I Dallas CdeP 1991 Mavericks professional basketball After graduating team. After graduating from Thacher, from Dartmouth he earned a bachelor’s degree from College and the Woodrow Wilson of Public and later earning International Affairs at Princeton her master’s at University, where he was a football Oxford, Rukmini team walk-on. Ussery went on to earn Callimachi began as a reporter in a master’s degree from Harvard’s John New Delhi, India, filing stories with F. Kennedy School of Government Time magazine and other news orgaand a law degree from UC Berkeley, nizations. Before becoming a foreign where he served as executive editor correspondent for The New York of the California Law Review. He Times, she was West Africa bureau became president of the Mavericks chief for The Associated Press, break- after serving as president of Nike ing several major stories focused Sports Management, overseeing the on al-Qaida and Islamic extremism. marketing, advertising, and branding This work led to being a Pulitzer of Nike’s most elite athletes. Prize Finalist for “her discovery and fearless exploration of internal B R E NDA N BECHT EL documents that shattered myths and Cd eP 1999 deepened understanding of the global In his early terrorist network of al-Qaida.” thirties and described as MORG A N N EV I L L E “an extraordiCdeP 1 9 8 5 nary leader,” Winner of Brendan Bechtel the 2014 best is president and documentary chief operating officer of Bechtel, one Oscar for of the world’s leading engineering, Twenty Feet construction, and project manageFrom Stardom, ment firms. After graduating with a which he wrote BA in geography from Middlebury and directed, Morgan recently College, Brendan completed dual returned to campus to show his film master’s degrees at Stanford in and talk with students about it. The business and construction engineermovie takes a look at the heretofore ing and management. At Bechtel, he anonymous backup singers and the is responsible for the management lives they lead just outside the spotand oversight of all of the company’s light. Rolling Stone proclaimed: global operations. He is also an avid “Just watch in wonder and try not to skier and fly fisherman and serves on stand up and cheer.” the National Geographic Society’s Board of Trustees.

Other Notable Alumni PHIL ANGELIDES California State Treasurer B R I A N T. B E N N E T T Journalist LAUREL BRAITMAN Historian and writer DONALD COOKSEY Physicist JENNIFER CRITTENDEN Television writer P A U L B . FA Y J R . Adviser to President John F. Kennedy SIDNEY D. GAMBLE Photographer and sociologist JA M E S N E W T O N H OWA R D Composer YE HTOON Political Dissident H OWA R D H U G H E S Aviator and industrialist SARAH KONRAD Olympian JOHN LENCZOWSKI Founder and President of The Institute of World Politics NORMAN LIVERMORE Environmentalist JOHN WESCOTT MYERS Test pilot W H E E L E R J. N O RT H Marine biologist LELAND ORSER Actor C L AY P E L L Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education J O E LY R I C H A R D S O N Actress M AT T S H A K M A N Director J O N AT H A N T U C K E R Actor THORNTON WILDER Playwright and author (He began writing plays while at Thacher. Wilder later went on to write the classic American play, Our Town.) 3 Pulitzers BARRY WOOD College Football Hall of Famer NOAH WYLE Actor

Are you re expand yo through n adventure

eady to ourself new es? SECTION 08.

V I S I T I N G , A P P LY I N G , AND FINANCIAL AID

As a small boarding school, Thacher is shaped to a great degree by the variety and strength of its students. We are looking for motivated, highly capable students who are ready to commit their energies, talents, and personal integrity to a dynamic community in which every individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution is valued and in which racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic diversity is embraced.

Applying to Thacher Beyond the obvious differences of the orange and avocado groves that welcome you to campus, the mountains that rise to the north and east, and the easy naturalness of the place and the people, it takes a special student and family to understand what distinguishes Thacher from other schools. We look for candidates with proven academic achievement, with particular talents in art, music, athletics, public service, or leadershipâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; candidates who have a special willingness to join a school where the values of cooperation, mutual respect, selflessness, and personal integrity are held dear.

Our commitment to financial aid Through its generous financial aid budget, Thacher has long expressed its commitment to admitting and enrolling the most qualified and compelling students regardless of their familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; financial resources. A third of Thacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students receive aid through awards that vary according to need. Families who are concerned that Thacher may be beyond their means are encouraged to consider financial aid and financing options that can make Thacher an affordable and realistic choice.

Visiting Thacher V ISIT U S 33

Please call our Admission Office at 805-640-3210 to schedule a campus visit. Our visits take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

PALMDALE

SANTA BARBARA

OJAI

If you can’t visit campus, ask us about an Admission representative coming to your area.

SANTA CLARITA

150 33 126

VENTURA BURBANK 101

PACIFIC OCEAN

405

LOS ANGELES

ANAHEIM

Application timeline SEPTEMBER Campus Tours and Interviews (as below) OCTOBER–JANUARY Campus Tours and Interviews SSAT Testing (Thacher’s SSAT code is 7648)

JANUARY 15 Application Deadline FEBRUARY 15 Financial Aid Deadline MARCH 10 Notification of Admission Decisions APRIL 10 Accepted Candidates’ Reply Deadline

“For any parent considering boarding schools, there is significant trepidation and sacrifice. We wanted a school where our three sons could take risks, explore new horizons, and engage in relationships with teachers, coaches, and mentors in a meaningful way. We hired an education consultant to help us find the right school, and she identified Thacher as well as nine boarding schools in New England. We diligently visited all 10 schools, but something kept drawing us back to Thacher. Our consultant reminded us that Thacher’s academic rigor was on par with the other New England schools and the students’ interaction with faculty members was often superior. More importantly, Thacher’s highly selective admission process allows it to choose not only smart, motivated students but also great young men and women who help challenge and support their peers. Thacher provides its students with a community of students and adults who help them grow into confident, independent, intellectually curious, and adventurous young men and women. We have found Thacher to be the right decision—three times over— and very much worth the extra sacrifice.” Dan and Nancy Yih Parents of Stephen CdeP 2010, Chris CdeP 2012, and Ben CdeP 2015

Thacher is an invitation to ask yourself three questions: Who will decide who you are? Where do you want to go? And how do you want to get there? These are the important questions. And this is where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll begin to find the answers.