Class Notes

CLASS NOTES

This “trailblazer” icon identifies students who entered the School in 1971.

CLASS OF 1976

Amy Pascal writes: “Crossroads changed my life. After graduation, I studied international relations at UCLA and married a journalist and playwright; we have a 21-year-old son. I work in the movie business. It was at Crossroads where I realized that I loved analyzing stories, and, not just that, but I was good at it! I’ll always live in LA, no doubt in part for the joy that I still feel driving down Olympic and passing the school that shaped me to my core.”

Anne Schardt writes: “Following a career in Silicon Valley, Europe and Asia, I left fintech to ponder what I want to do when I grow up. With adulting son and aging parent, I still try to remember what ‘relax’ means, but have reconfigured my life for its next (still mostly) mystery phase. My sweetheart and I will soon begin ‘slow travel’ escapes to the far reaches (OK, maybe Italy first) of the world, as well as rediscovering a bit of the States.”

>> KEITH ’76, TOM ’79 & JOSH ’85 RESNICK

Between 1973 and 1985, at least one of the three Resnick brothers called himself a Roadrunner. Keith ’76 began his Crossroads career in 1973 as a 10th grader. Tom ’79 followed in Keith's footsteps, enrolling as a 10th grader in 1976. Finally, Josh ’85 started as a seventh grader in 1978. The brothers share a deep appreciation for the School and its impact on their lives today.

“The School’s focus on community involvement seemed unique at the time and really helped shape the person I am today,” reflects Keith, father of three and co-founder and executive director of the Lili Claire Foundation. Named after his daughter who was born with Williams syndrome, the Lili Claire Foundation offers programs and services to children living with neurogenic birth conditions and their families.

Tom likewise attributes his “sense of service” to his “eye-opening” experience at Crossroads. At the School, he reflects, “I gained a lot of self confidence [in] my abilities.” After working in several industries, Tom most recently founded the tax preparation service The Tax Fanatic and obtained his enrolled agent license. He lives in Las Vegas with his four children.

A parent of three Crossroads alumni, Josh adds, “Crossroads taught me to be a very disciplined student. I was also always encouraged and rewarded for taking creative risks. This definitely played a role in my later entrepreneurial endeavors by giving me the tools and confidence I needed to manage complex businesses in creative fields.” Josh currently runs a family investment office called Pure Imagination Brands. He previously founded the video game company Pandemic Studios and the gourmet candy company Sugarfina.

The Resnick brothers also share an appreciation for the friendships they made at Crossroads. Tom describes his classmates as “wild and uniquely individual,” adding it “didn’t take long to fit in.”

Josh shares, “Friends I met at Crossroads continue to be my best friends today.”

As Keith remembers, “My classmates were fun, accepting and rebellious. We knew we were having an experimental educational experience that most other kids were missing out on, and we took full advantage.”

CLASS NOTES

Pablo Pereira writes: “All these years later, there remains a great sense of pride telling people I graduated from Crossroads. I pass by there almost daily, and not a time goes by when I am not triggered by a great memory from old friends and teachers that have had a lasting impact on my life.”

Maggie Lear writes: “I became a licensed social worker, focused on criminal justice reform, and have lived in NYC for over 35 years. I’m proud to be the board chair of Youth Represent, which provides legal representation and advocacy for NYC youth. I also facilitate K-12 meetings in NYC’s independent schools through the organization Parents in Action. I consider myself a serial collaborator and a continual student of the issues I care about! Crossroads helped to lay the groundwork for my interests today.”

CLASS OF 1982 Kevin “K.K.” Jackson writes: “I volunteer at PAL, Boys & Girls Clubs and run my own nonprofit for at-risk youth. I have been married to my wife, Regina, for 32 years. We share three adult children (Kayvonn, 32; Kanaesha, 30; and Kameron, 20) and three grandkids (Kaydonn, 8; Tiaura, 3; and Kyree, 1). Family has always been my

>> KEITH WEBER ’76

Keith Weber ’76 still remembers how it felt to be a new student at Crossroads. “People like Sara Sherman-Levine and Annie Schardt made sure I was instantly at home. Crossroads was family and still is.”

Keith, who entered Crossroads as a sophomore in 1973, fondly recalls his teachers during those early years of the School. Biology teacher Teri (Darrow) Redman, in particular, left an indelible impression on young Keith. As he remembers it, she lived in an ashram (which he and a few of his classmates helped paint) and “actually attended Woodstock!” He reflects, “she had a rare ability to be a friend while maintaining an authority which kept us all in line.”

Keith shares, “Crossroads was a small and very inclusive community. It was a time of high ideals and possibilities.” Among Keith’s other cherished memories from that era are how much he enjoyed his welding class; playing football with coach Rich Makoff; and studying English with Steve Morgan. “And, of course, Rhoda Makoff, Paul and Mary Ann Cummins and Kathy Specktor.”

Keith’s friendships extended beyond the four walls of the classroom. “I majored in rock concerts,” jokes Keith, who went with his peers to see Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, The Who, The Kinks, David Bowie, Steppenwolf, Jimmy Cliff, James Taylor, Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Donovan, Chicago and Jackson Browne—to name just a few. He adds, “We also were regulars at the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ live performances at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood.” Now, with five grown children and four grandchildren in the San Diego and Seattle areas, Keith moves at a pace that is somewhat slower, but no less enjoyable, than before.

Today, Keith is a lecturer of management information systems at Rochester Institute of Technology. He remains grateful for his educational experience at the School, noting, “The liberal arts education, I believe, trained me to view the world in a very holistic manner.”

Looking back, Keith says his time at Crossroads was “the longest (in a good way) three years of my life. Crossroads was a gold mine of lifelong friends.”

>> LIESL ERMAN ’77

When Crossroads first opened its doors in 1971, seventh grader Liesl Erman ’77 was one of the original 34 students to enter them. “At age 11, I don’t think I understood the significance of starting a new school,” says Liesl. “I knew it was going to be different; I didn’t realize just how different.”

Liesl fondly remembers two experiences that were rare in schools at that time: environmental studies, which took her to Yosemite; and community service, where she enjoyed conversing in Spanish with a resident of a nursing facility.

“Every day at school was unique,” recalls Liesl. “It was as if we were starting from scratch every day, kind of making it up, but in a good way.”

According to Liesl, the students embraced the innovative educational experiences: “In the first year, I’m pretty sure some of my classmates got credit for practicing their motocross skills on their Sting-Ray bikes in the parking lot. Yes, I’m talking about you, Miles Dale! At the same time, some of my other seventh-grade classmates were learning 10th-grade math. Needless to say, I was in neither of those groups!”

Music classes were taught by Liesl’s mother, Mary Ann Cummins, a faculty member to this day. Liesl herself is now a freelance symphony harpist and has performed with orchestras and chamber groups around the country. She also arranges for and conducts small ensembles of students.

Those early days of Crossroads yielded Liesl many fond memories— some of which, she admits, can’t be fully described in a school magazine. She read Rabelais with Jon Rinander; acted out television commercials in rapid Spanish for Carol Nelson; and learned about the biology of human reproduction through detailed chalkboard drawings by Teri (Darrow) Redman. Liesl feels lucky to have been a student of the caring, ever- gentle Steve Morgan, whom she credits with her appreciation of Shakespeare.

Fifty years after she first walked through Crossroads’ doors, Liesl has a newfound appreciation for the School. “The tremendous growth and success of Crossroads since those early days is such a beautiful testament to those original founders/dreamers,” acknowledges Liesl. “I wish they were all still here to see it.” passion: camping, fishing, boating and just being outdoors together. When I’m not working, I’m coaching, mentoring or training kids in our community and beyond.”

CLASS OF 1984 Sharon Mautner-Rodgers writes: “I am professor of cello at Gustavus Adolphus College and associate principal cellist of the South Dakota Symphony. I also freelance in Minneapolis and have performed with The Oratorio Society, VocalEssence, the Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra. In the summers, I perform with the Lakes Area Music Festival in Brainerd, Minnesota. This summer will be my 30th wedding anniversary. My husband and I have three grown children: Anthony, 25; Anya, 21; and Adam, 18.”

CLASS OF 1985

Anthony Marks writes: “Excited to announce that my family has relocated and moved to Aurora, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, for work and a lifestyle change. Our son Jason will be starting his sophomore year at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he is majoring in journalism with a minor in sports media. We’re looking forward to many new adventures and welcome visitors!”

CLASS NOTES

>> VALERIE PICKETT ’77 & VANESSA PICKETT-FLOWERS ’78

In 1971, seventh grader Valerie Pickett ’77 was in the inaugural group of 34 students to attend Crossroads, then held in a Baptist church on Pico Boulevard. The next year, when Crossroads moved to a former Motherhood Maternity factory on 21st Street, her sister Vanessa Pickett-Flowers ’78 joined as a seventh grader. While the sisters started their Crossroads careers in less-than-glamorous facilities, they were undeterred.

“The energy at the school in those days was a hippie and adventurous vibe,” says Vanessa. “It felt exciting. It was fun and upbeat, and everyone was friendly. It was a good learning experience—motivating—and the teachers were always available to help.”

The School’s first yearbook in 1972 included poems by each student sharing highlights from their year. Valerie described how cool it was that her printmaking teacher brought the entire class to her house, where she had a printmaking shop. Nowadays, Valerie feels a highlight of her Crossroads experience was her favorite teacher, Steve Morgan. She appreciates how the curriculum ignited students’ passions and empowered them to explore new horizons.

“And our school trips were good memories. Those were great experiences,” adds Valerie.

Vanessa agrees, “Yes! What an opportunity to experience school trips, which were not common for schools to offer in those days. Some of my best and funniest memories are the trips to Yosemite and especially hiking in Catalina.”

“Fifty years later, where does the time go?” reflects Valerie. “Good memories.”

Thinking about the impact of the School on her life, Vanessa shares, “Crossroads gave me a life of diversity, which has helped me greatly.”

Valerie and Vanessa live near each other in San Diego County. Valerie retired after working 18 years for the county, and Vanessa is looking forward to retiring in 2023 after 32 years on San Diego’s waterfront. Vanessa has been married for 29 years and has two sons and a granddaughter (who is the love of her life!), and Valerie loves being an aunt and enjoys spoiling her nephews and grandniece. Andrée Collier Zaleska writes: “I’m living happily on 10 acres in southern Vermont, homesteading and teaching in a forest kindergarten. I write about this life in my blog at soulspeed.posthaven.com.”

CLASS OF 1993 Max Ross writes: “I thought I’d never leave Google, but after 15 years, I finally found something that pulled me away: In November, I joined Roblox to help build the Metaverse. My favorite Roblox game at the moment is called ‘Destroy the Giant Duck.’ The object of the game is to destroy a giant duck. My Roblox handle is AuntDonald if you (or your kids) want to play with me.”

CLASS OF 1997 Lizzy Gerber writes: “I’m currently living in Beachwood Canyon with my husband and 2-year-old baby, Eleanor Jane. In addition to our regular jobs, my husband and I recently started a barbecue business called Edna Jane’s BBQ. It’s delicious! Follow us on Instagram @ednajanesbbq, on Facebook at facebook.com/Ednajanesbbq or online at ednajanesbbq.com.”

THEA DAVIDSON, 11th grade / “Sunset Dancing” earned a Gold Key in the 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, West Region-at-Large.

CLASS NOTES

CLASS OF 1998 Courtney Fishman writes: “I’m now living in Sherman Oaks with my husband and two boys—who are 2 and 5 years old, the true lights of my life. I’ve launched my dream business called My Little Outfit, which offers an exceptional collection of curated, gently loved clothing for babies and children up to 6 years old. It is all e-commerce-based, and I am the sole owner. Please check us out mylittleoutfit.com and follow us at @shopmylittleoutfit. Would love and appreciate your support!”

CLASS OF 2002 Danielle Schwartz writes: “I recently opened up a clothing and lifestyle store of my own called Lady Dandelion! It’s right in the neighborhood on Montana Avenue and Ninth Street, and high school girls tend to love it the most. It is a line for feminine tomboys inspired by my lifestyle of skateboarding and surfing and also my 3-year-old daughter, Lulu. We live in Venice Beach.”

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>> DONALD MCCLEARY ’79

Donald McCleary ’79 is a man who gives back. And he credits much of who he is today to his experiences— and “the beautiful people” he met— at Crossroads. Donald notes that the perspectives to which the School exposed him have shaped him throughout his life.

After attending St. Augustine by-the-Sea through sixth grade, Donald began his Crossroads journey in the seventh grade in 1973. Although he remembers being “scared to death” at first, he now considers his experience at Crossroads “the best time of my life!” A lover of sports, particularly basketball, Donald fondly recalls his classmates as “very accepting and welcoming and, most of all, fun.”

When asked about any humorous anecdotes from his days at Crossroads, Donald is quick to reply, “The funniest stories came from my brother, Kevin ‘K.K.’ Jackson ’82.” He adds, “The most fun was playing basketball and trying to keep up with the other students—that was a task within itself.”

Donald is grateful for his Crossroads experience: “At the schools in the area I was from, drugs, fighting and violence were the norm. So the attention to the success of the students [at Crossroads], no matter what direction they chose, was completely cool!” Donald also appreciated his teachers, Steve Morgan, Teri (Darrow) Redman, John Nordquist, Art Tuller, Rich Makoff and Paul and Mary Ann Cummins, to name a few. “The genuine care from the teachers and coaches was great. It was school, but it was so much more.”

Donald works for the nonprofit organization Anti-Recidivism Coalition as a pre-apprentice life coach. He previously worked for Behavioral Systems Southwest, providing assistance to individuals returning home from prison. He is the proud father of a 10-year-old son, AJ, and an adult daughter, Kashawnda (pictured with him).

“I am proud to say to anyone who asks that I am a graduate of Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, Class of 1979!” exclaims Donald. “The memories I have will be with me till the day I die and always cherished. Thank you!”