BISHOP’S A MAGAZINE FOR THE BISHOP’S SCHOOL FAMILY AND FRIENDS SPRING/SUMMER 2016
For the Love of History Endowed Scholar-in-Residence Douglas Brinkley
It’s All Politics For a group of Bishop’s Alumni
Bishop’s Profile
Bishop James Mathes
table of contents
BISHOP’S A magazine for The Bishop’s School family and friends
FEATURES
2
For the Love of History Presidential historian Dr. Douglas Brinkley spends a week on campus as the 2016 Endowed Scholar-inResidence.
6
It’s All Politics Bishop’s alumni share their journeys in politics, from the mayor’s office to the White House.
9
Spring/Summer 2016 • Vol. 13, No. 2
A Shining Knight The auction lights up the Quad
Credits Editor Suzanne Weiner Managing Editor Keri Peckham
2 12
Contributing Writers Jeffrey J. Carmel Kathy Day Zach Jones ’01 Melissa Kenyon Keri Peckham Trisha J. Ratledge Joe Tash Jared Scott Tesler Suzanne Weiner Diane Y. Welch Graphic Design Design Perspective
to raise funds for financial aid and faculty professional growth.
10
Contributing Photographers Melissa Kenyon Pablo Mason Dave Siccardi Michael Samale Michael Spengler Katelyn Zamudio ’17
Faith. Service. Community. Bishop James Mathes discusses his role at the School and in the community.
12
Science Inside the Lab and Out in the Field
The Bishop’s School Head of School Aimeclaire Roche
Bishop’s teachers go beyond the curriculum—and the classroom— to encourage budding scientists.
Assistant Head of School and Chief Advancement Officer John A. Trifiletti Director of Alumni Relations Sarah Garro
14 To Kill a Mockingbird Strikes
14
a Chord
Bishop’s brings the Harper Lee classic to the Taylor Performing Arts Center.
Special Section: Honoring Retiring Faculty
17
Training for Titles A special duo keeps Bishop’s student athletes safe.
19
Different Voices From diversity and exploration to scientific research, the Bishop’s community learns from visiting speakers.
20 bishop’s buzz 21 family matters: class notes Cover Photo: Dr. Douglas Brinkley, 2016 Endowed Scholar-in-Residence
Bishop’s is published two times a year by The Bishop’s School. Letters: We welcome your comments. Please send letters for possible publication to weiners@bishops.com or contact us at (858) 875-0735. The Bishop’s School 7607 La Jolla Boulevard La Jolla, CA 92037-4799 Phone: (858) 459-4021 Fax: (858) 459-3914 www.bishops.com Mission Statement The Bishop’s School is an academic community pursuing intellectual, artistic, and athletic excellence in the context of the Episcopal tradition. We are dedicated to offering the highest quality education to a diverse student body and to fostering integrity, imagination, moral responsibility and commitment to serving the larger community.
Photographer: Dave Siccardi From the Editor: We apologize for omitting the name Cindy Weiler from the board of trustees list in the fall/winter 2015 issue of Bishop’s. Mrs. Weiler is a current trustee and serves as the board’s secretary. Please note: Craig Higgs ’62 is the board’s legal counsel.
on the quad with AC
Sincerely,
Aimeclaire Roche Head of School Above photo: Aimeclaire Roche presents Endowed Scholar-in-Residence Douglas Brinkley with the Bishop’s Medal.
1 on the quad with AC
As you enjoy the articles within this edition of Bishop’s magazine, I hope you will agree with me that a theme threads its way among them: that the world around Bishop’s is complex and hungry for thoughtful citizens and leaders who are able to reflect carefully on the present as well as the past, weigh competing options with care, and stride, boldly and ethically, forward. As you will see, Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird remains as relevant today as at its initial publication. In it, Scout comes to recognize how multifaceted the world around her is and how, as she grows up, she will need to wrestle with the strength and frailty of the human condition. How mesmerizing was it to see Lee’s genius brought to life on the Bishop’s stage this winter, as our students performed this work. Too, how this performance highlighted the complexities of the world that surround young people today, and how questions of common good and responsibility have great eternal bearing on us. This is certainly known to The Right Reverend James Mathes as he shepherds the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego as well as the School, and to those alumni who work in support of those in public office; you will meet some of them on the pages ahead. As well, you will meet presidential historian, Dr. Douglas Brinkley, who joined us on campus this year as our Endowed Scholar-in-Residence. Dr. Brinkley’s deep understanding of how the executive office has evolved over the country’s history gave each of us new perspective on and appreciation for that office and its responsibilities. What equips our students to enter this complex world with confidence, knowing they can bring to it novel ideas and innovative solutions? Certainly our students hone their convictions through performing works like Mockingbird, and through discussions with Bishop Mathes or scholars like Dr. Brinkley. Teachers, though, like Joan Breher or June Dandliker, Joan Black or Melinda Hennessey, Sarah Lucy or Bill Goss, have offered Bishop’s students every day the chance to voice opinion, wrestle with complexity and take bold steps forward. For decades, each of these colleagues has offered students exactly what they need to be thoughtful citizens and leaders. Enjoy their stories as they make plans for retirement and as they savor their final days at Bishop’s. Mostly, enjoy this glimpse of how at Bishop’s today we are preparing young people for the complex but exciting world, which awaits and heartily welcomes them.
e v o L e h t r o F story i H of Visiting Scholar Douglas Brinkley inspires students to read, learn about their nation’s past. By Joe Tash
D
3 For the Love of History
r. Douglas Brinkley had plenty to say during his week as Endowed Scholar-in-Residence in early February. The nationally known historian and author spoke about the 2016 presidential election, the greatest American presidents and his favorite artists and writers, among other topics. But one of his most powerful themes was a message of optimism and hope. Rather than becoming crippled by our fears, he told students during an all school assembly, they should remember how fortunate they are. “The point of history is to remind us that our own times are not uniquely oppressive. We’ve had it much worse,” he says. When a student asked how it would be possible not to worry about such threats as an economic meltdown or terrorism, Dr. Brinkley responded, “How will the worry that you have help you?” “Every generation will have its challenges, but you have to be individually strong. Because if each person goes forward and cares about the community and works hard, good things will happen,” says Dr. Brinkley, a professor at Rice University. “If you love journalism, write stories. If you want to be a writer, write. If you want to be a teacher, teach. It’s about action and doing, not contemplating.” Dr. Brinkley’s optimism, openness and easygoing nature resonated with Bishop’s students and faculty, as well as those who attended his public talk at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. “The thing that struck me was how honest and relatable he was,” says Charmaine Hiller ’16, who ran into Dr. Brinkley and one of her teachers at Mojo’s coffee shop, around the corner from the Bishop’s campus, and ended up having a 20-minute conversation with them. Dr. Brinkley asked about her experience at Bishop’s and in particular, the history classes she has taken. According to Charmaine, the visiting scholar was a big hit with her fellow students, which was obvious by the number who visited with Dr. Brinkley during his office hours on campus.
”Every time I walked by so many people were crowding into his room,” she says. “His background and qualifications, what he does inspired so many people. I saw more engagement than I’ve ever seen.” Christian Ford ’16, who spent time with Dr. Brinkley says, “His knowledge on everything about American history is incredible.” As a child, Dr. Brinkley and his family spent summers touring the country in a travel-trailer, visiting national parks and historical sites. Christian’s family also visited a number of national parks during summer vacations. Because of that shared experience, Christian was particularly interested in one of Dr. Brinkley’s early teaching experiments, when he was an instructor at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York. As Dr. Brinkley explained during his talk, he and his students traveled all over the United States on a bus, blasting music, reading books and camping out. They visited national parks and historic sites, farms and factories, and met with poets and writers, from Hunter S. Thompson to William S. Burroughs to Toni Morrison. “The idea was we were going to grab America by the scruff of the neck,” Dr. Brinkley says. Christian said he was impressed by the tales of the mobile classroom, which Dr. Brinkley wrote about in a 1993 book, The Magic Bus, An American Odyssey. “It’s a novelty for college students to be doing that,” Christian says. “To
marvel at our national monuments and to visit them, rather than reading about them in a book, I found that refreshing. The national parks are incredible.” Christian and Dr. Brinkley had something else in common: the visiting professor has written a book about Christian’s grandfather, former President Gerald R. Ford, which Christian had read before Dr. Brinkley’s arrival. Dr. Jeff Geoghegan, chair of the history and social sciences department at Bishop’s, says, “One of our main goals in bringing Dr. Brinkley to Bishop’s was to give students access to an expert in American history who models both excellent scholarship and engaged citizenship. Dr. Brinkley exemplifies what it means to pursue one’s passions while contributing to the broader community and world.” Dr. Brinkley is one of a distinguished roster of academics, writers and artists who have taken up temporary “residence” at Bishop’s since 2007, when the Endowed Scholar-in-Residence program was launched, thanks to a $1 million gift from a Bishop’s family. The visiting scholars speak to classes, give community lectures, hold office hours, and meet informally with students, faculty, staff, parents and others in the Bishop’s community, over a week on campus. The program is intended to provide inspiration to students and teachers alike. “The beauty of it is the School is able to bring people who are the best
at what they do and allow our students to truly get to know them. That’s what collaborative learning is all about,” says John Trifiletti, assistant head of school and chief advancement officer at Bishop’s. “What I’ve sensed is that the faculty takes enormous pride in bringing scholars of this caliber to the campus every year. It instills a sense of pride in the institution,” John says. Dr. Brinkley said that although he has visited and lectured at prep schools in the past, he has never had the chance to spend a full week as a visiting scholar on a campus. “It’s been unbelievable, it’s been great,” he says. “You feel like you’re part of The Bishop’s School. When you do it for a day, it’s a gig. What we’re doing here is a commitment.” In his talk to students, Dr. Brinkley said he became a “history nerd” as a boy during his family’s summer vacations, with his parents, his sister and the family’s dogs. While his sister wanted to go to the beach or a shopping mall, he enjoyed visiting historical sites, national parks and monuments. “By the time I was your age, applying to colleges, I knew I wanted to be a historian,” he says. Dr. Brinkley has taught at a number of institutions, including the U.S. Naval Academy, Princeton, Hoftstra, the University of New Orleans and now, Rice. He has written numerous books, on a diverse range of subjects, from the impacts of Hurricane Katrina to Jimmy
“Every generation will have its challenges, but you have to be individually strong. Because if each person goes forward and cares about the community and works hard, good things will happen.”
Dr. Brinkley autographs one of his books for Alex Navarro ’22.
“It’s astounding how bright and curious and ambitious the students I’ve met are. As Jack Kerouac used to say, they’re ‘angels of pure future,’” he says. “Now it’s all upward trajectory for them. They’re on the precipice of doing great things.” Dr. Brinkley, whose three children attend public school where his family lives in Austin, Texas, says, “I keep thinking, gosh, I wish my kids were in a school like this.” As he met with students, Dr. Brinkley said that one message he tries to impart is: “History is fun. Learning about the past is something you want in your life. And there’s no such thing as too much reading.” If he had to recommend one book to students, it would be Leaves of Grass by American poet Walt Whitman. “That book captures the essence of democracy.” As for the current state of democracy in America, Dr. Brinkley didn’t shy away from observations on the political climate and the leading candidates. In his talks both at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Bishop’s Eva May Fleet Athletic Center, he said our political system is broken due to too much money, campaigns that are divisive and dirty—and go on too long. At the museum, in just over an hour, he touched on the lives of many of the nation’s chief executives, from
Washington to Obama, and even worked in a few observations on the 2016 presidential race. “There’s no civility right now,” he told the audience. “You are going to witness one of the dirtiest, ugliest campaigns in American history in 2016. It’s going to be brutal.” In his museum speech, he noted that in the past, journalists gave some slack to politicians. But today, he said, journalists fall over each other to find dirt on the candidates and office holders. “It’s a very, very corrosive atmosphere,” he says. “It’s a difficult and awful job being president because we blame them for everything,” he says. “At the same time, we put them on pedestals and are endlessly fascinated with their lives, turning their childhood homes into national shrines and generating libraries full of books about them. We are a celebrity culture, and they are the ultimate celebrities.”
5 For the Love of History
Carter’s post-presidency. His latest book, about President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s efforts to preserve and protect the country’s natural heritage through the establishment of national parks, was published in March 2016. Dr. Brinkley may also be known to TV news junkies as CNN’s official presidential historian. In that capacity, he has been called upon to comment on developments in the current presidential election campaign. His journalistic efforts have extended well beyond what many would think of as a historian’s traditional purview—he’s published dozens of articles and profiles in national magazines, from Vanity Fair and the New Yorker to Rolling Stone. Among his interview subjects have been Bob Dylan, Johnny Depp and Norman Mailer. When asked about his broad interests, which cover everything from the Founding Fathers to today’s cultural icons, Dr. Brinkley pointed out that two poets he admires, Wallace Stevens and William Carlos Williams, also worked for an insurance company and as a physician, respectively. “People don’t have to be pigeonholed to one thing,” he says. During his time at Bishop’s, Dr. Brinkley was impressed by the students’ knowledge of history and literature, and the quality of instruction, which he said is at university level.
It’s All Politics
By Jared Scott Tesler
Ever wondered what it’s like to work for the mayor, a senator, a congressman or even the First Lady?
It’s All Politics 6
Bishop’s magazine has the inside scoop from our alums!
When did you first become interested in politics and public service?
Which aspect(s) of your Bishop’s education helped you decide to enter this field?
Marshall: Having the opportunity to serve in student government helped lay the foundation for my interest in public service. Paying taxes helped solidify that interest.
Marshall: Bishop’s gives you the tools to succeed, regardless of what field you end up in. Everything from Acting Workshop and Latin, to history and chemistry, helped shape who and where I am today.
Michael: In elementary school, I memorized the presidents and had books of presidential trivia. That interest continued in college when I came to Washington, D.C., and was immersed in a city where motorcades and Secret Service vehicles are a daily occurrence. The public service aspect came from my parents, who instilled patriotism in me. They also taught me that every person deserves respect and that diversity is something to be embraced, both of which were solidified at Bishop’s.
Michael: Bishop’s gave me the writing skills that have allowed me to be successful through clear, concise communication. I learned to appreciate that everyone approaches a situation with their own experiences, their own processes and their own biases, which you have to understand and be able to navigate every day in politics. The intellectual flexibility allowed me to develop critical problem-solving and time management skills.
David: I was on the student council in grade school when our district was proposing cuts to balance its budget, but they weren’t talking to the students. So, I gave a little speech to the school board about what the students wanted. I had no idea what I was doing, but that was the first time I realized how important it is to give a voice to people who otherwise don’t have one. At Bishop’s, there was an emphasis on that.
David: Bishop’s taught us how to work hard and work smart. Developing strong writing skills and promoting critical thinking were key. But more than that, I appreciated the emphasis on improving our community. We all knew how lucky we were to be at Bishop’s, and the teachers and staff were terrific at instilling a sense of responsibility and inspiring us to use what we were learning for the greater good.
Melissa: My brother, Richard Winter ’84, landed an internship in Washington my freshman year of college. Right before he was getting ready to leave, he found out that a second internship that he had applied for had accepted him. That one offered to pay him, so he gave the first internship to me.
Melissa: In Dr. Melinda Hennessey’s class, one of the assignments was to read the front page of the newspaper every day. I had never done that before. It was the beginning of me realizing there’s a lot more going on in the world than what’s going on in the bucolic environment at Bishop’s.
Marshall Anderson ’08 Director of City Council Affairs Office of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer Four years after serving as Bishop’s Commencement speaker, Marshall Anderson ’08 reprised his role at Pitzer College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in American studies. What followed were roles in several local campaigns, including one for his current boss— Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
Michael Campbell ’07 Press Secretary Office of U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly A graduate of Georgetown University, with a bachelor’s degree in culture and politics, Michael Campbell’s ’07 foray into politics began working on the 2012 campaign and then in the office of Rep. Scott Peters, most recently as press secretary. He now serves in the same role for Sen. Joe Donnelly.
Melissa Winter ’85 Deputy Chief of Staff Office of the First Lady Michelle Obama Melissa Winter ’85, the 2010 Ellen Browning Scripps Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, has spent the last seven years working in the Office of the First Lady. Upon graduating from Skidmore College, Melissa began working on Capitol Hill, serving many roles—from staff assistant to director of scheduling—under the tutelage of both Rep. Norman Mineta and Sen. Joe Lieberman.
David Rapallo ’87 Staff Director U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform As staff director of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the main investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, David Rapallo ’87 leads a team of attorneys and others on behalf of Rep. Elijah Cummings. David—who also contributes his time and talent to the Select Committee on Benghazi—previously worked in the White House as senior director and counsel for legislative oversight of the National Security Council. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, a J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law and two master of laws degrees from Georgetown University.
What might the public be surprised to learn about your boss? Marshall: I think people jump to conclusions with regard to the U.S.’s two-party system. Especially now, with the nation so divided, we often look at politics as “left” vs. “right” issues. Although my boss is a Republican, people would be surprised by the number of progressive policies Mayor Faulconer has championed since taking office. For example, he introduced a climate action plan that makes San Diego the largest city in the U.S. to commit to 100 percent clean energy.
It’s All Politics 8
Michael: Sen. Donnelly’s primary motivation every single day is to make it easier for Hoosier families to succeed. That, too, was the case when I worked for Rep. Peters, who has a real desire to create more opportunities for San Diego families. It is easy to get jaded about Congress and the persistent gridlock, but many members have the best intentions at heart. David: People are sometimes surprised that Rep. Cummings is exactly the same in private as he is on television. A lot of politicians have public personas and act differently with close friends or relatives, but my boss is the same in private as he is in public. He starts conversation by framing an issue in terms of a principle that everyone can agree on, and everything else he does flows from there. He has a saying—that we should strive not only for common ground but for higher ground. He puts that principle into practice every day, and it makes him incredibly effective. Melissa: The woman people see on TV smiling and hugging children is really who she is in real life. She’s as genuine here in the White House as she is outside of it.
With Election Day drawing near, what’s going through your mind? Marshall: For me, politics is local. While Trump makes headlines, I find myself concerned with what is happening here in San Diego. We have five city council races, a hotly contested city attorney race and the mayor’s reelection. June can’t get here soon enough. Michael: I am consistently amazed at how vitriolic and meanspirited campaigns can be, particularly at the national level, where so much is at stake. I may be naive, but I do believe that voters want clear leadership and a positive vision for improving the country and keeping us safe, not petty and divisive name-calling.
David: I disagree with those who trash “government” as a whole and suggest that it should be limited to funding the military and printing currency. When you think about the air we breathe, the food we eat, the medicines we take, all of these are better and safer because our government takes steps to protect them. You can’t run a government like a business, as the people of Flint, Michigan, will tell you. Melissa: For me, it’s less about following the election and more about enjoying every last moment I have here in the White House. We’ve done amazing things in the past seven years and this last year will be equally as impactful.
If you could have dinner with any elected official, who would you choose and why? Marshall: Theodore Roosevelt. I trust the evening would be teeming with tales of exploration, military strategy and debates over eugenics. Michael: Vice President Biden, who has a laudable ability to connect with people and empathize with their anxieties, fears or aspirations. His experience as a father, senator and now as vice president lends itself to so many questions and stories that I want to learn from. David: Lyndon B. Johnson, but when he was in the Senate, before he became president. He turned what had been a relatively weak position—majority leader—into one of great influence, and he used that position to become one of the most effective legislators in American history. He was certainly no angel, but his achievements were even more remarkable because of the challenges he overcame growing up. Plus, I really like barbeque. Melissa: Eleanor Roosevelt, although not an elected official. I have an enormous amount of respect for the role of First Lady. I think she was extremely transformative, a trailblazer and set the stage for a lot of First Ladies who came after her.
By Suzanne Weiner
T
Clockwise from the top: Katherine Lobo, Aimeclaire Roche, Alexandra Johnson; auction attendees raise their bid paddles; Irene Kim ’10; The ENGLISH BEAT; Wendy and Timothy Gibbons win the auction puppy, “Zorro”; the tent glows with chic white decor; Max Webb and Sheila Ferguson
The success of the auction is dependent on donors who generously underwrite the cost of the event. The Bishop’s School and the auction chairs are deeply grateful to the following friends who made a generous commitment to A Shining Knight. Shining Knight An anonymous Bishop’s Family Dazzling Knights Patricia and Marc Brutten Tricia and Ray Faltinsky Katherine and Richard Lobo Barbara and Leon Parma Donna Walker and Mark Pulido Brilliant Knights Destiny Innovations & Supply Duane Lawson and Susan Brown Lawson ’71 Kristi Jaska and Peter Nolan Radiant Knights DeAnne and Al Aguirre Lisa and Kevin Mabbutt Elspeth and James Myer Althea Lee and David Parker Sparkling Knights T. Fetter & Co. William F. Groff, D.O., Inc. Gale and Jim Hill La Jolla Chevron Anne and Andrew Plant
9 A Shining Knight
he campus shimmered with modern, chic décor on April 16 as auction guests at A Shining Knight partied with a purpose in support of the School’s Financial Aid and Faculty Professional Growth Programs. This year’s event featured a silent auction, wine auction and a sit-down dinner, as well as a live auction of exceptional items and entertainment by The ENGLISH BEAT. Co-chaired by Alexandra Johnson (Charlie ’22, Logan ’22) and Katherine Lobo (Kendall ’18, Justin ’20), the auction nets approximately $1 million in direct support of these crucial programs, allowing the School to foster a community focused on diversity, enrichment and growth. “It was a privilege to work with such a dedicated and talented group of parent volunteers this year to create A Shining Knight,” Katherine says. “We were so excited to see the committee’s efforts come to fruition.” Irene Kim, a member of the Class of 2010 and a Georgetown graduate, spoke about the impact Bishop’s had on her life. The spirited bidding that followed Irene’s presentation was a testament to the confidence the guests have in the School and its need-based financial aid program. “The evening was a celebration of everything we love about The Bishop’s School, the dedication and commitment of the teachers with whom we entrust our children each day,” says Alexandra. Following a video created by Havas Edge, an agency with digital, broadcast and media expertise, and whose president and COO is Greg Johnson, husband of auction co-chair Alexandra, guests raised their bid paddles to make direct gifts to the faculty professional growth program. “We are thrilled that the auction provides funding for our teachers to participate in enrichment and educational opportunities throughout the year,” Katherine and Alexandra add. “They return to the classroom refreshed and enthused, benefitting every student.”
bishop’s profile
Faith. Service. Community. Bishop James Mathes, chairman of the Bishop’s Board of Trustees, models service in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
Faith. Service. Community. 10
By Trisha J. Ratledge
Bishop Mathes addresses the Class of 2015 at Commencement.
O
n a quiet February afternoon, in an office overlooking Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in Ocean Beach, Bishop James Mathes reflects on one of the many duties at hand: a stack of diplomas from The Bishop’s School waiting for his signature. It could be a simple process, really. A swish of ink on each and then he can move to his next responsibility as the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. But for an apostolic leader whose faith is embedded in every task he undertakes, that is not his way. “I said, ‘This is between me and God and this piece of paper, but I’m not going to just sign these,’” Bishop Mathes says. “I’m going to pray for the students as
I sign them. That is the way I can be present and live out my own spiritual life with them in ways they don’t necessarily know. I give a prayer of peace and blessings upon them in the days ahead.” Consecrated the fourth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in March 2005, Bishop Mathes is the chief pastor of the diocese, which counts 46 congregations in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties in California and Yuma County in Arizona. Among his responsibilities, he also serves as chairman of the board of trustees for The Bishop’s School during the length of his tenure. As the leader of mission, evangelism and spiritual formation for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Mathes
encourages a life of service among church members. Two years ago, in a concrete expression of this tenet, the bishop’s offices moved from St. Paul’s Cathedral in Bankers Hill to the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach, where those in need have easy access to the many services offered by the center, from meals and medical care to job assistance and music lessons. “A bishop is called to be with those who are vulnerable, those who are struggling, and to give God’s love and care,” Bishop Mathes says. “I hope that what I’ve done (as bishop in San Diego) is build a healthy community that sees Christ’s work as in the world as opposed to in the church building. This service center represents that ethos.” Born in Dallas, Bishop Mathes says he was drawn more deeply to his faith as a teen after the breakup of his family. He elected to attend a boarding school in Tennessee beginning at age 14 and, while there was no Episcopal church in the small town of 300, he eventually was able to get to weekly Episcopal services in a nearby town. During his undergraduate studies at the University of the South—an Episcopal college in Sewanee, Tennessee—he met and married his wife, Terri; and in 1982, he graduated with a bachelor of arts in mathematics. A year into seminary studies, however, Bishop Mathes experienced a family tragedy when his father died in a plane accident. He took a leave of absence from the seminary, returning to his boarding school alma mater to work as a development officer. He then moved to an Episcopal boarding school in Sewanee to teach mathematics and later served as its director of development.
Meghan Behr ’20 brought her dog and Logan Johnson ’22 brought his fish for a blessing from Bishop Mathes at the annual Blessing of the Animals.
“We are in a particular place and time where we are being called to change in a dramatic way because the culture and the world around us is changing. “If I could wave a magic wand and make one thing happen, it would be for financial means to not be an impediment for someone coming to The Bishop’s School,” he adds. “The more we are able to replicate the student body as a microcosm of the world in which we find ourselves, the better we are able to do something really special. This would allow the School to be even more a transformative power in the community.” 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of Bishop Mathes’ ordination and a calling in which he has served across the country, sharing the journey with his wife, Terri, a nonprofit program director, and their two children, who are now grown: Lee, who serves in the Navy, and Sara, who works in the high tech industry in Silicon Valley. In their downtime, the couple spends restful evenings with books. “We are both voracious readers,” Bishop Mathes says. As often as they can, they also get outdoors to hike, kayak or bike. Bishop Mathes starts and ends each day on the trails with his dog, Hawkeye, who joins the bishop in his daily work at the Episcopal Church Center and often serves quietly as a
calming comfort to those in need. Throughout his pastoral ministry, Bishop Mathes emphasizes that faith is based in relationships, not buildings, and that the possibilities are infinite to serve among neighbors and to affect change. As a witness to transformational moments in people’s lives, Bishop Mathes turns from teacher to student and lives by the lessons found in these turning points. He recalls a man in Chicago who asked him for a dollar, which led to a conversation that revealed the man was HIV-positive and living in an indigent care nursing facility not far from Bishop Mathes’ church. In a discussion with the facility director, Bishop Mathes learned that on Christmas Day, there had been only one visitor for the 125 residents. “We said we can fix that,” Bishop Mathes recalls. His church members established a congregational ministry to serve the nursing facility that is still active 17 years later. “I think of those moments when you are in somebody’s tender spot, and you can be the vehicle or the container for God’s grace to be present. That’s what gets you up in the morning. That’s what makes me grateful.”
11 Faith. Service. Community.
“I thought that would be what I needed,” Bishop Mathes recalls. “I always knew I was going back (to the seminary). I just didn’t know it would take six years.” The bishop graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria in 1991 and was ordained to the deaconate the same year. Service in the church has included positions as assistant minister at All Saints’ Church and Protestant chaplain at McLean Hospital, both in Belmont, Massachusetts; rector of the Episcopal Church of St. James the Less in Northfield, Illinois; and Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Chicago. He was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego on November 13, 2004, and he was consecrated on March 5, 2005. As chairman of the board of trustees for The Bishop’s School, he says the relationship between church and school matters. “It’s an outward visible sign of the church’s involvement in the School and the School’s sense of its identity as a part of the church.” In his 11 years with the School, Bishop Mathes says much has changed— in programming and student demographics, for example—and he sees further development as inevitable.
W
Science Inside the Lab and Out in the Field 12
hen it comes to the Bishop’s science curriculum, the variety of subjects offered and the opportunity to go beyond the classroom are enriching the student experience like never before. Science faculty members have extended physical boundaries to facilitate students’ exploration to exotic locales and cutting-edge research laboratories. For both students and teachers it is an exciting time, says Bill Goss, science department chair and holder of the Weiler-Moore Faculty Chair in Science. “The science department offers a rich array of experiential courses that include robust laboratory investigations, with many courses built around the model of discovery,” he explains. A unique aspect of the ninth grade physics program is that students do not
use textbooks, but rather teacher designed laboratory challenges, created so students discover for themselves the principles they are meant to study. “The equipment and technology that we have to work with is phenomenal, so it allows for data to be gathered that can lead students to these discoveries,” Bill says of the process. The process of scientific discovery is facilitated by a dedicated science faculty who use their passion to influence a new generation of scientists. In recent years, biology teacher Dr. Anthony Pelletier has placed students in internships with The Scripps Research Institute and UC San Diego. For Avery Gulino ’16, Anthony or “Doc” as the students call him, greatly influenced a surprising turn in her future career goals. During summer 2015 she interned at the
Science Inside the Lab and Out in the Field By Diane Y. Welch
La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, working on projects involving tuberculosis, Japanese cedar allergy, cockroach allergy and mouse allergy. Avery “began going in after school last April to learn how the place worked, then moved to eight-hour days for most of the summer. I was by far the youngest in the lab.” Ironically, the most important thing Avery learned was that she did not want to go into lab research. “I found research to be much slower that I expected. I was used to labs in school taking a few weeks, but one stage of a project would take about 100 trials and months of work. Instead, I found what I loved the most in the lab was cell culture,” she explains. Avery says she learned a lot from
Opposite page: the group in Bali, inset: Emilia Aguerre ’18; this page, left: Megan McGlothlin ’17 and Sami Nelson ’18 planting mangrove trees, below: Ankita Nair ’16 and McLean Sammon ’16 work with Anthony Pelletier.
Anthony, but also from chemistry teacher Dr. Pam Reynolds. Pam holds a unique position as one of 14 teachers in the U.S. elected for a sustainability program in Costa Rica this April, The Ecology Project International (EPI). EPI promotes conservational stewardship through a two-pronged approach, focused on primary research and public education, as a way to affect positive change to the region and its sensitive species. “I am looking to gain novel approaches to field work that can be applied to Bishop’s Environmental Science class’ outdoor classroom at the San Dieguito River Park in Del Mar,” says Pam. “A secondary outcome may be a strengthened relationship with EPI with the intent of offering a global field science short course. It is my hope that this professional experience will enhance our current environmental science course and encourage our students to think globally while acting locally, or go glocal,” she adds. During the March spring break, Pam joined Ben Duehr, who teaches biology and marine biology, and middle school science teacher Michael Samale, in taking 21 students to Bali to study the unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Indonesia that fall on the Wallace Line, a transitional zone between Asia and Australia. “In Bali we planted mangroves to help reforest a dynamic and important ecosystem as a way of offsetting our
travel carbon footprint,” says Pam. As part of an eco-tourism experience the group explored temples, dance and more while in Bali but had an emphasis on exploring the biology of the island, Ben says. That exploration included snorkeling and scuba diving in the coral reefs and learning about coral restoration projects, and the investigation of rice farming and local efforts to grow crops in sustainable ways. The students also had the opportunity to help conservation efforts by removing harmful invasive species, says Ben. Past spring break trips have included destinations such as Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands and Fiji, with the goal of exposing students to the different cultures and languages, but most importantly to the biology of the land, says Ben. “We engage in ecotourism to help students better appreciate the
biodiversity of these amazing places and to learn using our senses rather than simply reading about them in a book.” Anthony’s class provides a similar hands-on experience: “The goal is for me to become less and less important to the ongoing work. I like it when students can take ownership of the project, rather than me telling them what to do. I think the kids also like that sense of independence.” Avery confirms that learning without a textbook greatly impacted her love of science sharing: “The best thing about Doc’s class was that while there was structure to the course, it was very free. We were allowed to study what we were interested in, and he would answer questions. The most surprising thing was how much we learned without even realizing we were learning.”
To Kill a Mockingbird Strikes a Chord A literary classic comes to life at Bishop’s and teaches valuable life lessons. By Melissa Kenyon
Opposite page: Nick Arrowsmith ’21 and Olivia Wiese ’21 as Jem and Scout; above: Richard Hagestad ’16, Julian Samuels ’16 and Reed Wester-Ebbinghaus ’17
F
“I learned from the actor who played Tom to really get to know the characters,” explains Julian Samuels ’16, who played Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of assaulting a white woman. “When I said, ‘I felt right sorry for her’ (Mayella Ewell), I had to consider how I (Tom), felt about her. I had to consider her background, where she comes from and why she’s doing what she is doing.” Julian took this advice to heart, which was evident in his performance. While it felt condescending and cruel to be called racial slurs, he told his fellow actors to not hold back. He encouraged them to infuse their lines and physical expressions with passion, so the audience could feel the depth of each scene. Reed Wester-Ebbinghaus ’17, who played Atticus Finch, an honorable lawyer and father of two, also had a meaningful acting experience. He was reminded that morality is contagious when his character influenced the jury to consider the truth—Tom Robinson did not rape Mayella Ewell (Christina Gaffney ’17). Ultimately, Tom was convicted, but the amount of time it took for the jury to reach a verdict demonstrated movement toward a more just society. “Atticus teaches us to see the good in people regardless of whether we agree
with them or not,” says Reed. “We learn not to be persuaded by biases, and to see things in the most objective way possible.” Acting in this play was not easy. Each actor took it upon him or herself to peel back the layers of their character with preconceived notions set aside. The actors found it difficult to spew racist and bigoted remarks, so it was important to them to keep the atmosphere fun and familial off stage, joking and engaging in lighthearted rap battles. “It was difficult to play the bad guy (Bob Ewell), saying all these hateful words,” explains Andrés Worstell ’17. “Despite the fact that he is a terrible individual, I wanted to think of him as a human. He was handed a bum lot in life. His wife died, he works all the time and he is so uneducated that he can’t view the world around him without this lens of hatred and bigotry fogging it up.” After digging deeper and studying his character, Andrés realized it was Bob Ewell’s own insecurities that led him to lash out. He wanted to cover up the violence he inflicted upon his own daughter. This realization led to an exceptional portrayal of Harper Lee’s villain. Acting in the play also left an impression on Olivia Wiese ’21, who was outstanding as the spunky, observant Scout Finch. Performing with
15 To Kill a Mockingbird Strikes a Chord
eeling the timing was right, the Bishop’s Performing Arts Department selected Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird for the School’s stage. In four emotionally charged and thought-provoking performances, the talented cast transported us to Maycomb, Alabama, where we witnessed injustice and the fall of innocence. While America is a different place than it was during the Great Depression, the period of the play, the narrative maintains its relevance. We still experience intolerance, yet hope prevails in the actions of honorable men and women. For this reason, drama teacher and the play’s director Courtney Flanagan expected the play and its timeless lessons to resonate with the audience. “With all that’s going on—the birth of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and the race-related tragedies and protests— this play is very relevant,” explains Courtney. “It’s sad that decades later, we still have the same issues.” In preparation for the production, Courtney encouraged the students to familiarize themselves with past and current racial tensions to understand the social climate in the story. She also took the students to see the play at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga, California. After the show, they met and got advice from the cast.
Singers Kiara Jackson ’18, Gabi Smith ’16, Maya Buckley ’22, Elise Watson ’22, Isabelle Wisco ’18
Reed Wester-Ebbinghaus ’17 as Atticus Finch questions Richard Hagestad ’16 as Sheriff Heck Tate.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
To Kill a Mockingbird Strikes a Chord 16
upper school students was intimidating at first, but she soon saw the cast as family. “I do relate to my character, Scout,” she admits. “I can be a bit stubborn and sassy at times. And there are things going on the world that I don’t really understand and still ask about.” As Scout, Olivia reminded us not to judge a book by its cover. Her initial assumption that recluse Boo Radley (Sajan Palanki ’16) was a monster was wrong. She found him to be a quiet man who seemingly shelters himself from “the mess of humanity.” For each actor, the experience performing To Kill a Mockingbird struck a chord. They were able to climb into the skin of their characters, seeing and experiencing the world from various perspectives. They identified parallels between their world and Maycomb, and realized the significance of Harper Lee’s intent to instill compassion and openmindedness. Helping the cast bring the story to life was the brilliantly crafted set created by teacher and performing arts department chair Tim McNamara, assistant set designer Mason Elms ’16 and the Advanced Theatre Production crew. On stage—in between the Radley
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
and Finch homes—was a prominent tree with a knot-hole, where Boo left small gifts for the children. The design of the tree was powerful, with reaching branches and painted bark. The set also incorporated a rope swing, working doors and paths that led from the stage into the audience, drawing everyone in to the action. “I think the interactive pieces helped it feel more like home,” says stage manager Addie Duckett ’16. “The three younger kids who played Scout, Jem (Nick Arrowsmith ’21) and Dill (Brett Garon ’21) were always playing on the swing in between scenes during rehearsal, so in the actual play, it felt natural and fun.” Music also played an integral role in the play, tying together the scenes with symbolic songs. For the sake of authenticity, choral music teacher Christine Micu researched African American spirituals from the 1930s. With Courtney, she discussed the emotions evoked by different scenes, which helped make their vocal selections. “Courtney had the idea to include ‘Strange Fruit,’ (performed by Gabi Smith ’16), which is a haunting song describing the horrific lynching practice,” says Christine. “To touch on how the
message of the play still rings true today, Isabelle Wisco ’18 sang the recent hit song ‘Baltimore’ by Prince.” The cast members’ costumes were the icing on the cake. Costuming for the play began on the walls of costume maker Jean Moroney’s sewing studio, where she hung photos from other plays and the 1962 To Kill a Mockingbird movie starring Gregory Peck. Scout, Jem, Tom and some men in the town wore coveralls; Atticus dressed smartly in a tailored suit; Maycomb’s ladies wore cotton sundresses with floral prints; and little Dill wore an outfit resembling his Bishop’s uniform with a dapper bowtie. Andrés’ look required him to pay a visit to the prayer garden, bucket in hand. Before each performance, to make his character appear rough around the edges, he literally rolled around in the mud. Now, that’s dedication… Collectively, the actors, the set, the music and the costumes created a lasting impression. Wise beyond their years, the cast understood the complexity and seriousness of To Kill a Mockingbird. They drew us in with their performances and made us feel their characters’ emotions. It’s safe to say, the late Harper Lee would be proud.
Training for By Zach Jones ’01
S
ince 2001, Bishop’s student-athletes have piled up championship banners, and during that same time, Jason Charlebois (athletic trainer) and Charles Johnson (strength and conditioning coach) have worked to keep those athletes on the field, on the court and in the pool, and performing at the highest level. With more than 60 percent of the upper school population playing at least one sport during the school year, the task of keeping all of those bodies healthy over the course of three sports seasons is a seemingly never-ending one. For 15 years, Charles and Jason have been doing just that, as they are on the front lines of injury prevention and rehabilitation among Bishop’s student-athletes. “What Jason brings is peace of mind for us as an athletics program, playing at a really high level against tough opponents, and knowing that our students are safe,” says Joel Allen, the
School’s Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach. “We know that our athletes are in good hands when we play a school of 2,200 students that may have 70 kids on a football team. We’re comfortable taking our 25 guys over there and playing them.” A staple of the Bishop’s athletic staff since 1999, Jason is on site at every Bishop’s football game, home or away, and says he tries to make it to as many other games as he can, prioritizing collision sports like lacrosse and soccer. When injuries do occur, his biggest challenge is often educational—trying to impress upon young athletes the importance of a disciplined approach to recovery. Unlike professionals, many student-athletes may be experiencing injuries—and the subsequent rehabilitation—for the first time. “With teenagers, there are so many things going on—they’ll come in for treatment a couple times and then as soon as they feel a little better, I won’t
17 Training for Titles
Above: Jason Charlebois with Justin Woodley ’17; bottom: Mozes Mooney ’18 in a game vs. La Jolla High School this fall
see them,” he says. “Trying to get them to understand that it has to be an ongoing thing for a while, that’s the biggest challenge.” Football, basketball and lacrosse player Justin Woodley ’17 understands the importance of working closely with Jason saying, “I really appreciate how Jason is always available to help us get through injuries and get us back on the field as quickly as is safe.” For Charles, the goal is to maximize the natural abilities of the School’s relatively small pool of athletes, while also keeping them out of Jason’s training room, except for an occasional bag of ice or roll of athletic tape. “It starts with Charles,” Jason says. “Trying to prevent injuries really does start with the foundation of having good strength and good balance, all the things you would do in the weight room from a conditioning standpoint.” When Charles came to Bishop’s for a stipend position as the fitness center
“In my mind everybody’s equal as soon as they walk through the door—I don’t care if you’ve already committed to a Division I college or you don’t even want to play sports, and you just want to learn how to lift.” —Charles Johnson
Training for Titles 18
Charles Johnson trains Daniel Massaad ’19, Kate Barber ’19 and Sahil Malhotra ’18.
supervisor in 2001, he admits that a long-term job was the last thing on his mind. But less than a year after arriving, he was teaching three after-school strength and conditioning classes, and almost 15 years later, that conditioning program is the foundation for the upper school’s physical education classes. In addition to the P.E. classes, Charles works with the School’s varsity teams on everything from in-season weight training to dynamic stretching and warm-ups for use before practices and games. He’s learned how to explain the value of his training program to the full spectrum of students, from those simply looking to get into better shape, to the School’s most elite athletes. “You have the best players on a (varsity) team, who know they’re going off to play in college, and my challenge is telling them that they also need to lift weights or do speed training,” Charles says. “I think my biggest sell is the injury component. I have to convince them that the training they’re going to do here is going to reduce the chances of them getting hurt.” A former football player at Boston University, Charles suffered a knee injury in the final game of his college career. “I got carried off of my last football field, and that’s stuck with me the rest of my life,” he says. “It’s motivation for me,
because I don’t want that to happen to the kids I work with.” In pursuit of that goal, there is great emphasis on the training process rather than the final product. To that end, there are no posted records of achievement in the weight room, and every newcomer to the program starts at the same level. “In my mind everybody’s equal as soon as they walk through the door— I don’t care if you’ve already committed to a Division I college, or you don’t even want to play sports and you just want to learn how to lift,” Charles says. “You’re going to start with the lightest weight and learn the movement before you progress.” It’s a safety-first approach to training that mirrors what Jason practices as he tries to get athletes back on the field after injuries. While he says most types of injuries have stayed relatively constant in number during his time at Bishop’s, one is being recognized more often, which is actually good news. “We probably see more concussions, and I think that has to do with the education—more people are aware of it now,” he says. “They’ll self-report more than they would in the past.” Well before the state enacted legislation last year about when high school athletes could return to play after concussions, Jason pushed for Bishop’s to use the ImPACT testing
system to collect baseline data for use in concussion treatment. Finding 25 minutes per student in order to administer the test can be a challenge within the busy Bishop’s schedule, but a creative solution has combined the dual goals of teaching and testing. “We’ll take the ninth-graders in their health class and have them take the test as part of the class,” Jason says. “Maybe some of them don’t even play a sport on campus, but it’s still great to have that information.” Charles adds that there is a preventative aspect to concussion safety, and it begins in the weight room with his favored Olympic-style lifts. The nature of the lifts not only trains the body to absorb impact but also strengthens the neck and upper back muscles, which can help stabilize the head during an in-game collision. On the playing field, success continues unabated for Bishop’s student-athletes this spring, and in the background, Jason and Charles keep this small student body punching far above its weight. “We have many dedicated student athletes, and yet we require a lot from them,” Joel says. “Coaches aren’t going to have 20 kids on the bench to sub them out, so we need to make sure they can play 25 games and play at a high level for all 25.”
DIFFERENT VOICES By Keri Peckham
The Bishop’s School welcomed diverse speakers to campus to inform and inspire our community.
National Geographic Speakers Encourage Students to Explore the World
Language, Race and Power Discussed at Black History Month Assembly
The School records many of our guest speakers, and you can watch the videos on our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/ BishopsSchool.
Science Lecture Series Educates the Community In a standing-room only crowd on January 28, Dr. Shafali Jeste ’93 (at left), shared her research with the community, as the Shaffer Family Foundation Endowed Science Lecture Series speaker. In Dr. Jeste’s work at the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment, she studies biomarkers of autism spectrum disorder, to identify early predictors of diagnosis and outcome and to guide the selection of targeted treatments. The final science lecture series speaker of the year was Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., a professor at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy & Immunology, who shared her research on the Dengue and Zika viruses on April 19.
19 Different Voices
Well known for her TedTalk, “3 Ways to Speak English,” Jamila Lysicott, Ph.D., is a poet, educator and speaker, and on February 16, Dr. Lysicott was the featured speaker for the School’s Black History Month assembly. In her talk, Dr. Lysicott addressed the relationship among language, race and power, from a personal and historical perspective. She opened with a challenge, asking students to do something today to make the world a better place tomorrow. “It is important to understand your place in history,” she told the audience. She encouraged students to embrace what she calls “critical literacy,” the ability to read the world deeply. She feels that this allows for a truly diverse culture saying: “It is not just about the presence of difference. Explore boundaries to achieve your fullest potential.”
From Kaplan Assembly speaker, Dr. Albert Yu-Min Lin, to guest speaker Ford Cochran, Bishop’s students were enthralled by stories of exploration. Both speakers, who are affiliated with National Geographic, encouraged students to explore the world, either literally or virtually. On November 30, Dr. Lin, a research scientist at UC San Diego, shared stories of exploration and travel, in particular his search for the tomb of Genghis Khan in Mongolia. Students related to his dynamic presentation and were fascinated by the way he has used modern technology to tell stories of the past. His unique work involves using technology (including drones) to explore areas he studies, without disturbing the land. Speaking to classes and meeting with parents and students after school on January 25, Mr. Cochran, director of programming for National Geographic, shared the many opportunities offered by National Geographic Student Expeditions. These expeditions provide students the chance to find their inner explorer through photography, science, writing or conservation.
bishop’s buzz
Did you know that the School’s web site has a search function? Check it out—top right corner of every page, ask away! Interested in the latest news or campus photos? Keep up with us by liking the Bishop’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/the.bishops.school or scan the QR code.
NEWS n On April 27, Karin Donaldson (Christopher Donaldson ’93, Leslie Donaldson Ziegler ’95), past president of the Parents’ Association, Kerry Appleby Payne ’74, past president
FACULTY
department, contributed “Chinese
of the Alumni Association and
n Adam Davis, a member of the
Garden” to the book Teaching
Lise Wilson (Naomi Strauss ’10),
English department, has been
Chinese as a Second Language—
were honored as 2016 Women
recognized by the Poetry Society
Curriculum Design & Instruction.
of Dedication by the Women’s
of America with the George Bogin
The chapter is based on a
Auxiliary of the Salvation Army.
Memorial Award that honors
learning unit Xing developed for
n The San Diego Girl Scouts
Adam’s use of language in an
her Advanced Placement Chinese
recognized three members of
original way. n Xing King, a
Language and Culture classes.
the School community at its
member of the world languages
annual “Cool Women” event on
bishop’s buzz 20
March 1 for their contributions to San Diego as entrepreneurs,
n Michael Teitelman, who
volunteers and philanthropists.
was headmaster at The
Award recipients were Betty
Bishop’s School from 1983-
Beyster and her daughter Mary
2009, has published a book,
Ann Beyster ’82, and Martha
Timeless Lessons for Modern
Dennis (Jendy ’94, Andrew ’97
Parents: Reflections from the
and Evan ’97 Dennis), past
Headmaster’s Office. Michael
president of the Bishop’s Board
and Marlene Teitelman are
of Trustees. n Anna J. Small
pictured at a signing event
Roseboro (English faculty 1987-
held at the School. The book
2005) has published a book,
is available on Amazon.com.
Athletics News
On Zion’s Hill, that features illustrations by Susan J. Osborn
2016 Girls’ Water Polo: CIF Division III and City League Western Champions
(visual arts faculty 1987-2004). On February 29, Anna, Susan,
At the end of the winter season, two juniors were named CIF San Diego
members of the faculty
Section Players of the Year: Georgia Gilmore ’17 (water polo) and
and student performers
Destiny Littleton ’17 (basketball).
participated in an event,
Andrew Chun ’16 and Natalie Grayson ’16 were named San Diego
Collaboration Across the Arts,
Union-Tribune All-Academic Team Captains for boys’ and girls’ water
that was based on the book.
polo. Alessandra Aguirre ’17 (basketball) broke the CIF San Diego
n The Bishop’s School’s
Section three-point record with 15 three-point shots in one game.
Reaching Higher Endowment
She scored 50 points. Doug Peabody, girls’ varsity water polo head
Campaign brochure was a
coach, was named San Diego CIF Coach of the Year and celebrated
2015 American Graphic
his 500th Bishop’s career win this season.
Design Awards winner.
Susan Howell Mallory ’72
The Bishop’s School has long played a significant role in Susan Howell Mallory’s ’72 life. The tradition began with her mother, Peggy Pence Howell, a member of the Class of 1943, and then Susan and her siblings Ruth ’71, Amy ’78, and John ’81. And later, her daughter Emily Ten Eyck LeBlanc ’04 made it three generations! Along with a strong commitment to her class and the alumni association, Susan was a leader of the broader school community by serving on the board of trustees from 1992-2000, including two years as the board president. Bishop’s is thankful for Susan and the many leadership roles she has assumed as well as grateful to Susan and husband Peter for naming The Bishop’s School a beneficiary of Susan’s 401(k). Making a gift of your retirement plan to charity is a smart
most often resulting in very little of your remaining
choice as your estate and heirs will avoid taxes on those assets.
money actually going to your family. The better solution
Plus, you can modify or revoke beneficiary designations at
is to give your loved ones assets that step-up in basis at
any time during your lifetime. Gifting assets via beneficiary
death such as stock and real estate. Unlike your retirement
designations avoids the probate process and is easy to put
assets, these assets may be received and sold by your
in place by completing a brief beneficiary designation form
heirs without paying any tax.
provided by your plan administrator. While most people want to benefit family members after they
Contact John A. Trifiletti, chief advancement officer, at (858) 875-0851 or trifilettij@bishops.com to discuss
are gone, the problem with giving your unspent retirement savings
meaningful ways of how you can leave a bequest.
to your family (other than your surviving spouse) is that the
We also invite you to visit our planned giving pages
majority of your savings will be taxed. If your estate is taxable,
at www.bishopslegacy.com.
it will pay tax on the retirement asset and then your family members who inherit it will pay tax at their ordinary income rate
Bishop’s magazine features glimpses of people who, by walking the halls of the School, are changing its face forever.
The Bishop’s School
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID The Bishop’s School
7607 La Jolla Boulevard La Jolla, California 92037-4799
parting shots Bishop’s and the Presidency
In 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt visited San Diego and was given a golden key by the president of Bishop’s Class of 1939.
In 1973, President Richard M. Nixon was on campus to attend a marriage.
Parents of Alumni, if your son or daughter no longer maintains an address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of his or her new address. (858) 875-0505 • Fax (858) 456-2681 • tbsalumni@bishops.com