BESANT HILL SCHOOL OF HAPPY VALLEY’S NEWSLETTER
Spring 2014
The mission of Besant Hill School is the development of each individual’s intellectual and artistic abilities. Through awakening the spirit of inquiry, we encourage
each student to pursue integrity and excellence. Our noncompetitive community builds honesty, respect, compassion and responsibility. Our goal is to develop a lifelong habit of learning as embodied in our school’s motto: Aun Aprendo, ‘I am still learning.’
AUN APRENDO SPRING 2014
EDITOR
Randy Bertin
DESIGNER
Oliver Cornell
CONTRIBUTORS Julianna Barone Randy Bertin Dan Call Oliver Cornell Dave Cosby Tod Cossairt Peter Fox Terra Furguiel Nathan J. Bernard Hansen, ‘12 Kevin Henschel Juana Juarez Kristen Kaschub Tina Leslie Brook Masters Jeff Narva Florin Pal Megan Walton Marion Weil Kathy Zotnowski
BESANT HILL SCHOOL OF HAPPY VALLEY ·
In This Issue MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL OUTDOOR EDUCATION ARTS WINTER CONCERT CULTURE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SUSTAINABILITY OPEN HOUSE 100 NIGHTS COLLEGE UPDATE SUMMER INSTITUTE COYOTE ATHLETICS NEW WEBSITE SPRING VARIETY SHOW GROWTH FACULTY SPOTLIGHT RECIPE STUDENT GOVERNMENT HOWL ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS ALUMNI CONNECTIONS ANNUAL FUND UPDATE SUMMER GALANTE, ‘07: SAVING RHINOS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SAVE THE DATES ALUMNI MESSAGE BOARD IN MEMORIAM BIRTHDAYS 8585 OJAI SANTA PAULA ROAD · OJAI, CA 93023 CALENDAR
A Message from the Head of School Walking around campus and visiting classrooms at our school, I am always pleased to find that we are firmly focused on our mission of developing each individual’s intellectual and artistic abilities. Additionally, we continue to make even more commitments to being a diverse global community, fostering environmental sustainability, and creating more opportunities for our students to think critically. Our mission, along with these traits, are the commonalities that we strive for each
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student of Besant Hill School of Happy Valley to have when they stand on the podium to deliver their remarks to our community on graduation day. The student experience is the foundation from which we operate each day. We take that responsibility seriously, and always work towards making decisions to reinforce these values not only for the students of today, but also for those who will attend many years from now. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE ...
The student experience is the foundation from which we operate each day.�
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In working on and now living out the school’s strategic plan, Our Common Purpose, we continue to evaluate how we can take that student experience and make it into a cohesive, larger vision that’s going to allow the school to exist and thrive many, many years into the future. Throughout our efforts developing Our Common Purpose, we focused on the experience of these students and then worked backwards from there to create a road map for the next six years. The result of this work
is a document that will help our school achieve its mission and be more solvent as an organization. Our curriculum committee is hard at work accomplishing these goals and will continue for the next six years. Concurrently, we are asking questions such as the following: What amazing experiences and values can we give to our students? Where can we take 4
students from the moment that they arrive at Happy Valley to the time they leave on graduation day? How can the influence of our school be ingrained in our graduates and benefit them for life? These questions will be asked not only this year, but every year, as we constantly work toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of Besant Hill School of Happy Valley and re-reflect on that progress. One of our main themes this year has been “Growth in Progress.” I have talked about growth to highlight the construction projects happening on campus to build facilities that will better serve our students and faculty. It is my goal to carry this theme forward into every year. We need to be constantly thinking about the next steps for our school in order to ensure an even brighter future for our students, and to add even more value to the experience they have here. We will continue to reflect on what happens to our students during their time here and how we can work to achieve our mission by improving the student experience. This will lead to an even brighter future not only for our students, but also for our school. I hope you will be a part of this wonderful journey! Aun Aprendo,
GET O BY JEFF NARVA
UT THE DOOR February has been a busy month for the Outdoor Education Program. We have had a 15 mile bike ride from town to the ocean, a weekend ski trip to Big Bear, day hikes, and an evening viewing of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. These events covered a diverse grouping of outdoor disciplines and were filled with an incredible mix of domestic and international students.
photo by Jacob Lewine, ‘16
Math teacher Brian McColgan led six students on a great hike to Piedra Blanca on the Sespe Wilderness Trail.
GO FOR A HIKE
HIT THE SLOPES
Director of outdoor education Jeff Narva, math and science instructor Florin Pal, along with digital arts teacher Chris Hutchinson and wife Julia, hit the slopes of Big Bear with 14 students for the weekend of February 15. Students stayed in two rented homes, snowboarded, skied, cooked meals and played games together.
Even more impressive was the combination of staff that involved themselves and guided students along the way: math teachers, a science teacher, an art teacher, an ESL instructor, and even the director of our Performing Arts Program. Here at Besant Hill, every adult is an outdoor educator throughout the year.
Ten students joined Julianna Barone, administrative as sista nt to Student Affai rs , for some “catch a nd release� fishing on Lake Casitas!
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GO FISHING
It is the goal of the Outdoor Education Program to expose our students to the outdoors in a variety of ways to cultivate an appreciation for the environment at a local and global scale. We believe that engaging in the outdoors is a key component to help individuals grow into intelligent and caring members of a community.
BIKE FROM OJAI TO VENTURA 7
24 students joined Performing Arts Chair, Dan Call, on a 15-mile bike ride from Ojai to the Ventura Pier. Bicycles were provided by Ojai’s premier bike shop, The Mob Shop. One of the great features of Ojai is the continuous bike trail down to the coast.
SURF
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English instructor Drew Zailik and Jacob Whyte, ‘15, from Olympia, Washington, caught a glassy evening surf in Ventura. Zailik also runs the surfing program, one of the many offerings for student fitness.
With such great support from staff, and programs like these, we can continue to inspire our students. I am proud of our faculty and students for participating in all of our events these past few months and look forward to planning more in the future! -Jeff Narva, Directer of Outdoor Education
I can’t think of a faculty member who hasn’t helped me become who I am today.”- Jacob Whyte, ‘15
To learn more about the Besant Hill School Outdoor Education Program, click here or visit www.besanthill.org/outdoor. 8
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RTS AT BESANT HILL SCHOOL
CERAMICS
Ceramic Vehicles This was a fun and informative project. Students learned more about how clay holds together and dries by constructing small vehicles with slabs of clay.
Hearst by Alexandra FitzMaurice, ‘14
Save the date:
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Parents Day/Spring Arts Celebration April 19
Once the main structures were formed, students carved designs, added detail, and glazed the bisque fired cars. These and several other beautiful pieces will be featured as part of our Parents Day/Spring Arts Celebration on April 19.
Above: Students work in the atelier on their vision boards for Class Connections. Right: Visual Arts Foundation students carved reliefs in foam/balsa blocks. The artwork tells a story based on a Chinese myth. The work was on display during an International Week assembly and will be featured during the Parents Day/Spring Arts Celebration in April. Below: Senior Isabelle Weber’s self-portrait and accordion book project.
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STUDIO ART
Below: Everyone seems to look exactly alike! (Tristin Klipp, ‘15, bridges photography and digital design.)
PHOTOGRAPHY
BHS PHOTOGRAPHY 2014 Check out this year’s photography collection on Pinterest.
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Adil Yessenzhan,’17, practices the saxophone in the newly refurbished amphitheater.
Deo Peng, ‘15, plays a traditional Chinese guqin. He also performed for both International Week and the Variety Show.
The incredible Jacob Scesney conducted an intensive four-week flute and saxophone workshop. Click here to watch his assembly performance.
MUSIC
At only 20 years old, our guest performer Cicely Parnas has already played some prestigious venues. When asked by a student w hat her big gest performance had been, her answer was “Carnegie Hall.”
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Winter Concert
2013
by Dave Cosby, Music Department Chair
The Winter Concert was held on Friday, December 10, in the Zalk Theater. This concert saw the first performances of the new BHS Choir and Instrumental Ensemble. Instrumental students had studied brass and string instruments throughout the fall, and all were featured during the concert. Students performed a wide variety of repertoire from Bach to pop, and the choir finished off the concert with a beautiful arrangement of “You Raise Me Up,� made popular by Josh Groban. All in all, the evening was a great success, and everyone, performers included, were happy and excited about the concert and growth of the musicians. Bravo!
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Culture by Tina Lesl ie,
Director of International Student Prog rams
Chinese New Year
On January 31, Besant Hill School celebrated the Chinese New Year. We began the morning with a drumming parade of teachers following our lion, handmade by Spanish teacher, Nestor Geronimo. During assembly, international students presented an informational skit, teaching the entire school how to say “Happy New Year!” in Chinese, what traditional foods are eaten, and other important customs, such as the “red envelope.” We finished with traditional New Year’s music and a reading in Chinese. In the evening, students were invited to dine at the local Chinese restaurant, AJ’s. The celebration was especially meaningful to those students who were away from their Chinese homes for the first time during the New Year celebration. Happy Year of the Horse! Click here to watch a video of the morning parade »
Above: Music and yoga instructor Greg Weiser led the morning parade. Below: Annie Ho, ‘17, reads during the assembly. Math instructor Florin Pal chaperoned students to AJ’s.
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International Week
Besant Hill Celebrates Our International Culture
During International Week in February, the students and staff celebrated many different facets of our international community. Besant Hill has students from 13 different nations: USA, China, India, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Mali, Taiwan, Nigeria, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, and Japan. Each day of the week, we had a special assembly with a specific theme. Tuesday, we looked at traditions; Wednesday, the arts; Thursday, language; and Friday, global technology. Our wonderful food service featured a meal from a different area of the world each day: Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. A highlight of the week was the students teaching language classes; 12 languages in total. The week culminated on Friday afternoon with a series of fun games, including a student versus staff soccer game. The students were victorious! Click here to enjoy videos and pictures from International Week Âť
Above: Special assemblies. Right: Student led language class. Right: Student vs faculty soccer.
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by Brook Masters Director of College Counseling and Experiential Learning
On March 6, 21 students departed for a 10-day experiential learning project in Greece. Faculty members Alexis Spina Clifford, Peter Mantius, and Portia Pelow-Dickerson are leading the group. Facilitated by Arete Classical Travel, this project will expose Besant Hill students to the rich history and vibrant culture of this beacon of the modern world. On this journey, students will have the opportunity to study the sculptures of the Parthenon, sail on the crystal waters of the Aegean Sea, shop in the bustling outdoor marketplace of Thessaloniki, perform community service with refugees from all corners of the world, sit in the theater where drama and comedy were born, enjoy authentic Greek cuisine at local tavernas, hike on Mt. Olympus, question the Oracle of Delphi, explore
a 500-year-old Orthodox Monastery perched high atop a mountainous crag, and fall in love with a land that has inspired the world since the dawn of history! We look forward to welcoming the group back on March 16, and hearing their tales of adventure when we return from spring break. Safe travels everyone! OPA!!! Click here for updates! Âť
Experiential Learning Experiential learning encompasses a broad variety of learning activities, including outdoor education, adventure learning, service projects, internships, group-based learning projects, world travel, and cross-cultural collaboration. This educational approach begins in the classroom, expands to the community, and eventually takes the learning process into the world at large. Building on our mission to actively engage learners in progressive education models, students at Besant Hill School have the opportunity to travel regionally, nationally, and internationally for experiential learning projects. Click here to learn more about the Experiential Education Program. www.besanthill.org/experiential
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By this time of year, with Spring just around the corner, the grassy hills of Happy Valley can be lush and bright green. With the western US experiencing a record drought, the grassy hills around Besant Hill School have remained brown, though still beautiful. March delivered the “superstorm” Titan, which dumped a huge amount of rain, and the valley went from bone-dry to soaking wet in a matter of a few days. Water in the vernal pool, not seen in several years, makes Tod Cossairt smile. True story: This is one of only two known natural vernal pools to survive in all of Southern California.
Click here to watch a video about the vernal pool »
Green Cup Challenge During this year’s Green Cup Challenge, we had a 4.9% reduction in energy use that placed us in fourth place overall among 21 schools in the western region. More importantly, we saved 5,102 kilowatt hours of electricity. According to those calculations, we kept 3.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide from heading into the atmosphere. That’s like saving *400 gallons of gas, or the amount of carbon that would be sequestered by three acres of U.S. forests in one year. We also saved money on our electric bill! Thanks to all students and faculty for your effort and care.
- Tod Cossairt, D i re c to r o f Env i ro n m e n t a l S u st a i n a b i l i t y Click here for more about The Green Cup Challenge » * F i g u r e s b a s e d o n t h e E PA’s o n l i n e c o n v e r s i o n t a b l e s »
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Open House
The Admission Open House on January 20 was a huge success. Families had a chance to speak with administrators and tour the campus, students visited classes, and many even enjoyed lunch on the lawn. The day was beautiful, the campus looked great, and a special program to commemorate Martin Luther King Day during school assembly allowed our 45 visitors to experience why Besant Hill School is such a special place.
Important Admission Dates: March 1 Re-enrollment contracts and deposits due March 10 Admission decisions sent to new students June 1 Enrollment forms available online 18
Head of School Randy Bertin greeting a prospective student.
Lights Up the Senior Class The evening of February 23 saw a gathering of Besant Hill seniors, alumni, and staff at Azu Restaurant in downtown Ojai for a celebration to honor the seniors and kick off their last 100 nights at Besant Hill. Alumnus Dan Grosbach, ‘10, returned to offer words of wisdom from a recent graduate and to provide the music for the evening, along with music chair, Dave Cosby. After a delectable dinner, the seniors were then asked to contribute to the legacy book, memorializing their hopes and dreams and what they want to leave as their legacy to the school.
100 Nights —a celebration honoring what has been and what is to come. 19
COLLEGE UPDATE
by Brook Masters, Director of College Counseling and Experiential Learning
We have been enjoying the many triumphs celebrated by the class of 2014 since college acceptances have started to roll in! March will bring us the majority of admissions decisions, including announcements from the University of California system. At this time, we are proud to announce that 21 of our seniors have been accepted to 64 colleges and universities! Look for the complete list of acceptances in the next issue of Aun Aprendo! Meanwhile, the class of 2015 has begun the college search in earnest! Juniors have been meeting weekly to learn about the college
application process. All juniors have now registered for the May 4 SAT test. They have also each met individually with the director of College Counseling to begin building their preliminary prospective college list. By the time juniors leave for the summer, they will have a well-matched and diverse list of colleges and universities to which they plan to apply. They will also complete at least one formal college admissions essay toward the end of May. The summer between 11th and 12th grade provides an excellent window for visiting prospective campuses!
Summer Institute Besant Hill School offers a dynamic five weeks of programming in which students interact with peers from all around the world while mastering study skills, life lessons, and gain a better appreciation of both Northern and Southern California.
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ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE SAT PREP AND COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING FARM PROGRAM
By attending the Summer Institute, I finished my college essay early. That gave me a big head start going into my senior year. It took some of the pressure off, and I got accepted to the colleges of my choice.” — Ilana Ariel, ‘14 20
DOWNLOAD THE SUMMER BROCHURE » OR VISIT WWW.BESANTHILL.ORG/SUMMER »
Coyote Athletics by Kevin Henschel, Director of Athletics and Development Officer
The winter sports season at Besant Hill has come to a close. Our boys’ JV soccer, girls’ JV basketball, and boys’ varsity basketball teams honored the spirit of BHS sports and made us so proud by playing their best. Girls’ JV basketball had a great season. Led by coaches Jennifer Stroud and Brian McColgan, they ended their season with two wins and five losses, highlighted with wins against Thacher School. Their mental toughness was evident during one of the Thacher games. The game was close until the final minute, and the girls maintained pressure on Thacher, earning them the win. Boys’ JV soccer ended their season with one win, four losses, and four ties, led by coaches Curtis Singmaster and Kristin Mantius. Highlights of the season included close ties against Midland, Thacher, and Oak Grove. The team showed their Coyote Pride by playing as a team with precision passing. The boys’ varsity basketball team finished the season with an overall record of 10–13 and a league record of 6–4. The team showed a lot of heart and determination, winning close games against Providence Hall and Laguna Blanca to secure a secondplace finish in the Condor League. The team advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Playoffs, where they lost a tough game against Desert Chapel School. We are proud of all of our athletes for a fantastic season! 21
Go, Coyotes!
To see more photos, watch videos, and learn more about Besant Hill School athletic and fitness programs, click here or visit: www.besanthill.org/athletics.
NEW WEBSITE
The new website was launched in January, and the response has been extremely positive! The new format allows users to view scrolling news and calendar items right on the home page. Our goal is to continue to update and improve our website so it is useful, informative, and entertaining! Here’s a look at the new home page and some important links:
ALUMNI
STUDENT EXPERIENCE SCROLLING NEWS & CALENDAR FEED FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE
NEWS & CALENDAR 22
Spring Variety Show by Dave Cosby, Music Department Chair From the sounds of the ancient Chinese guquin, to original songs composed and performed by Besant Hill students, the Besant Hill School Spring Variety was true to tradition as it was a fun-filled and entertaining evening with stunning array of diverse talents and acts from the student body, faculty, and staff. Despite being moved from Friday night to the Tuesday before spring break because of the torrential rains, the show was still a crowd-pleasing evening of energetic entertainment that left the audience smiling and still craving more. The 2014 Spring Variety Show was hosted and produced by junior Ashley Sengstaken, who kept the show moving along with creative interludes and vignettes between acts. One of the skits included a Broadwaystyle song and dance act, complete with Radio City Hall-styled dancers. 23
Ashley did a phenomenal job entertaining the audience and gave each act a creative introduction. The show began with Deo Peng playing the centuries-old goquin from China. Deo wooed the audience with the sound of his
multi stringed instrument as he performed “Yang Guan San Die.” Both the music and the unusual instrument Deo played were stunning. Freshman Cate Steward sang and played an original song featuring a wordless melodic hook that many will not soon forget. After Cate, we had the dynamic duo of Tait Newman and Sophia Von Buchwaldt singing a soulful cover of the song “Day Dream.” Next up was senior Pam Quenzer performing the song “Green Eyes.” As always, Pam did a great job both singing and playing the guitar in a beautiful solo performance. Chris Escobedo and Will Costello got the house rocking with a show of glowing lights, and great dance music. Sophia Von Buchwaldt was up again next, this time with Shige Yoshida on piano. The duo performed an entrancing performance of Boyce Avenue’s “Dare to Believe,” which featured a lovely piano segment by Shige and more German Soul singing from Sophia. Tait Newman then performed a new original composition with backup from Greg Weiser on drums and myself on bass. Tait’s performance was both powerful and impressive. The final performance of the first act was a group
of students, primarily from the fourthperiod instrumental music class, who played a swinging version of Sonny Rollins classic blues song “Sonnymoon for Two.” Featured in the ensemble on flutes were Mike Qian, Jocky Yang, and Sabrina Qiu; on alto saxophones were Isidoro Cotugno and Adil Yessenzhan; on drums was Max Metlen; on congas was Chris Escobedo; on cajon was Tristin Klipp; on pianos were Eric Shi and YiYi Zheng; on percussion was Max Trane; and on guitar was Briggs Yahn. Other musicians on this song included Tait Newman on viola and Yu-Chien Wang on cello. The ensemble played together very well, and the song even featured a great guitar solo by Briggs. During intermission, the audience was treated to a wide array of freshly baked cookies from Juana and Mary of the Besant Hill culinary staff. At the top of act two, more original music was in store for the audience, as Bruce Wang and Jocky Yang played a four-handed piano
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piece accompanied by Grieg Weiser on drums and myself on bass. Bruce’s song was entitled “Opus One” and was an ode to both the good times and challenges of true friendship. Bruce and Jocky were followed by another dynamic duo of Angelica Escobedo and Pam Quenzer singing the Maroon 5 classic “She Will Be Loved,” which was a tremendous hit with the audience. Although too sick to perform in the concert, student filmmaker Michael Hopkins presented a recent music video
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project called “3,” which featured great music and several Besant Hill students as actors. Cate Steward and Molly Besaw followed Michael’s video with a vocal duet of “Big Rock Candy Mountain.” Both ladies sang beautifully, often in unison while Cate both sang and played lovely supporting chords on her guitar. Isidoro followed Cate and Molly with a traditional Neapolitan song. Before he sang, Isi shared some of the
cultural and personal significance of the song, which made his performance even more moving. Mikaela Windham-Herman presented a fascinating act in which she danced with two balls on a rope that changed colors while techno music pumped in the theater. It was a wonderful performance that provided multisensory stimulation. The show concluded with a show-stopping solo piano performance of “The Ascent,� the third movement of Opus Rain, by Theresa Beebe. The song was extremely well received by the large audience inside the Zalk Theater.
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The 2014 Spring Variety Show was a huge success for all involved, despite the concert being moved to a new date. The Variety Show was, as is often the case, a great display of the vast and varied talent that we have present at Besant Hill School. It was also a chance for our community to sing, laugh, and applaud together as we celebrated and enjoyed the great breadth and depth of talent.
GROWTH
CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR NEW FACULTY HOMES ON SCHEDULE!
A goal of Besant Hill School is to preserve and harness the environment as a learning opportunity. Our new faculty housing expands learning beyond the classroom by connecting the school’s educational pedagogy with environmental sustainability.
Construction Milestones
These homes are designed and located to provide a community that lives in harmony with the rich, natural environment of the Ojai Valley. New homes are located adjacent to the lower parking lot, farm and circle garden.
December With infrastructure in place by the end of November, concrete foundations were poured, and the framing of walls began.
January By the time students returned from their winter break, the second stories and roofs were in place. Plywood sheeting on the exterior walls was next.
February February was full steam ahead and perfect timing to beat the rain! Roofing was completed, windows were installed and the “scratch coat,” or first layer of plaster, went on. All the while, the site has been buzzing with many trades, from plumbers and electricians to drywallers.
Naming opportunities are still available! Contact Randy Bertin for details. 27 Visit www.besanthill.org/growth »
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FACULTY HIGHLIGHT Faculty Spotlight
Florin Pal
Math, Science, and Calculus Instructor
Where were you born? Romania, but I became a U.S. Citizen a few years ago in Pomona, California. Where were you / What were you doing before coming to BHS? I taught at Rolling Hills Prep in San Pedro, California.
What do you want to accomplish at BHS? What is your mission? Math and science could play an even greater role in the school. It is important that this generation, and our country, not fall behind in this new century.
Where did you go to school? What was your major in college? I studied physics at the University of Bucharest, Romania, and the Technical University in Vienna, Austria. At California State University, Dominguez Hills, I studied mathematics education.
Who is someone you admire? Why? I admire my parents and grandparents. They were hardworking people and gave me great simple advice that goes a long way even today.
How / When did you first hear about Besant Hill School? A faculty recruitment service called Cal West Educators. How long have you been teaching / working at BHS? This is my first year teaching at BHS. Tell me the one thing you like best about BHS. That it is located in a spiritual community surrounded by
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green forests and mountains. I really enjoy hiking with the students.
What would you like to see the school accomplish in the future, short term or long term? The Green Cup Challenge was very inspiring. The school should continue to work towards conserving our resources, including more solar panels and a water catchment system. Do you have any advice for BHS students? Be quiet, kind, and gentle. Especially in my class!
MARGRET KRULL’S OATMEAL CAKE
CAKE WHOLE ROLLED OATS BOILING WATER WHITE SUGAR BROWN SUGAR LARGE EGG FLOUR BAKING SODA SALT CINNAMON
1 CUP 1 1/2 CUPS 1 CUP 1 CUP 2 1 1/2 CUPS 1 TEASPOON 1 TEASPOON 1 TEASPOON
FROSTING BUTTER MILK BROWN SUGAR CHOPPED NUTS COCONUT
Above: Dr. Edward & Margret Krull. Margret fed both the bodies and souls of students, faculty, and staff. We are pleased to celebrate and honor her service to Happy Valley School. Dr. Edward Krull, as well as others who knew Margret, will be on hand to remember her at the April 19 ceremony beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the sculpture garden.
1/3 CUP 1/4 CUP 3/4 CUP 1/2 CUP 1 CUP
METHOD: Add boiling water to oatmeal and cook for 5 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes. Beat butter and sugar, add eggs and beat until smooth. Combine the rest of the dry ingredients to the mixture and stir until just mixed. Pour into greased 13” x 9” pan and bake at 375 degrees for 30–35 minutes or until done. While Baking: In a saucepan, combine butter, milk, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Add chopped nuts and coconut. Remove from heat. Pour over cake and spread to cover.
The original recipe card with Margret’s handwritten recipe. The recipe to the right has been adjusted by Chef Mary for a smaller size cake. You’re probably not feeding 100 teenagers!
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You can sprinkle with chocolate chips, but keep in mind that chocolate was not allowed at Happy Valley School when Margret was baking!
BHS Student Government Team
Student Government continues to have a great, collaborative year. We have been busy working on a number of projects, including: assisting with Open House, Student Store in both dorms, our annual Valentine’s Rose sale, as well as planning for prom. We were also pleased to work with the School’s Curriculum Committee to provide our input and reflection on the new schedule introduced this year and the importance of maintaining and honoring many of the traditions of the school. Project Day, Prom, Beach Day, and elections for next year’s leadership are just a few of the many exciting upcoming events. We look forward to the successful end of this year and the opportunity to continue to serve our Besant Hill School community.
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Han Zhang - Co-president Kane Scherbert - Co-president Claudio Dri - Senior Class Rep. Andy Shen - Junior Class Rep. Michael Hopkins - Sophomore Class Rep. Cate Steward - Freshman Class Rep. Ashley Sengstaken - Day Student Rep. Alexandra FitzMaurice - Rep.-at-Large Jacob Lewine - EOS Dorm Rep. Moussa Sy - EOS Dorm Rep. Isabelle Weber - Phoenix Dorm Rep. Emily Barry - Phoenix Dorm Rep. Krysh Bajaj - Treasurer/Board Rep. Nadir Fayazov - Treasurer/Board Rep. Ilana Ariel - Environmental Rep. Tait Newman - Technology Rep.
ALUMNI NEWS DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES Raymond Neutra, ‘57: On January 22, Raymond Neutra, ’57, returned to the campus to speak at the Distinguished Speaker Series. Last time Raymond was here, he spoke to the school about his travels to Bhutan. This time he spoke about how the modernism movement in architecture arrived in California. Raymond’s father is world-renowned architect Richard Neutra, who, along with several of his European contemporaries, changed the way homes, offices, schools, virtually every new structure was reimagined. Raymond’s slide presentation showed the progression of architectural history from Japan to Europe to the United States. His talk even involved some school history involving Krishnamurti, the Rajagopols, and his father. All in all, it was a fascinating and informative speech that was much appreciated by all in attendance. Many thanks to Raymond for making the effort to share with us his time and insights. Click here to watch a video of this presentation. Or visit the alumni section of our website for this and other alumni news. 31
ALUMNI CONNECTIONS DEVELOPMENT OFFICE VISITS WITH HVS ALUMNI
HEAD OF SCHOOL TRAVELS EAST TO VISIT ALUMNI Head of School Randy Bertin made a three-state trip to visit with Happy Valley alumni in January. Beginning in Austin, Texas, Randy spent time with HVS ‘93 graduate, Sirr Less. He then traveled to Washington D.C., where Fritz Von Fleckenstein, HVS ‘57, John Starrels, HVS ‘61, and Randy dined at D.C.’s famous Cosmo Club while taking in the State of the Union address. Randy then flew to New York City, where he was able to catch up with Mary Myers, HVS ‘57, and Oliver Altoff, HVS ‘93. As Randy noted, “It was a great way to start off the new year.”
Marion Martin Glows
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Some of the alumni and staff of Besant Hill are wearing jewelry made by alumna Marion Miller Martin, HVS ‘57, who at 73 has begun a new hobby/passion of jewelry making. Marion is a wonderful example of someone who exemplifies our school motto, AUN APRENDO, by her life actions! Congratulations, Marion!
ANNUAL FUND UPDATE “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” —Marcel Proust Despite the lack of rain in the Happy Valley, we are seeing green everywhere! Our “Being Green, Giving Green II” Annual Fund Campaign is blossoming in ways that it has never done. As I type, the thermometer is inching ever closer to our $175,000 goal. Our emphasis for the last two months has been on securing 100% participation by each of our constituencies needed for foundation and grant writing: current parents, alumni, faculty & staff, and Foundation Board of Trustees. It is another lofty goal for our community, but one we feel is attainable. If you have not participated, there is still time. It is as easy as clicking here. Your generous donations impact the community immediately as all Annual Fund dollars are used in the current year. With gratitude, Your Annual Fund Team Randy, Kathy, Peter, Kevin, Marion 33
POETRY CORNER Kathy and Peter up on the hill Spring is arriving to chase off the chill In the air is a sense of great expectation As the Annual Fund train approaches the station Many thanks to those who helped us reach for this goal And to those yet to join in we’d like to extol You to contribute whatever you can So we can relax and work on our tan!
Summer Galante,’07, Saving Rhinos On February 26, Summer Galante, ’07, spoke at assembly about her efforts to increase awareness about the plight of African rhinos. In the wild, the adult black or white rhino has no predators except for humans. Rhinos are hunted and killed for their horns. The major demand for rhino horn is in Asia, where it is used in ornamental carvings and traditional medicine. Rhino horn is touted as a cure for hangovers, cancer, and impotence. Their horns are not true horns; they are actually made of keratin—the same material that makes up our hair and nails. Truly, rhino horn is as effective at curing cancer as chewing on your fingernails. Poaching has worsened over the past decade, and rhinos could face extinction. Galante is an independent awareness speaker with a background as a safari guide and research assistant. We thank her for sharing her expertise on this fascinating subject.
“Rhinos are critically endangered and could be extinct in 20 years.”
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Alumni Spotlight Nathan J. Bernard Hansen, BHS ’12, is pursuing a career in digital game design.
G
rowing up, computers have always been a part of my life. I vividly remember I was playing around with computer games at an early age. By grade 5, I had already decided paint and brushes were “too messy” and discovered I could create in the Microsoft program Paint. Though I did draw with pencil and paper in middle school, I preferred “messing around” on the computer, mainly doodling and drawing, both abstract or comic book characters and superheroes. I enrolled at El Camino High School in Ventura in an independent studies program connected with Ventura Community College. This program allowed students to intensely study one subject for three weeks at a time. Concurrently, I was also permitted to take free college classes. I eagerly enrolled in drafting, CAD, color and composition, architecture, and welding. In addition, I played tuba for the Buena High School marching band. I was excited to have access to the college’s computer lab and “fell in love” with Photoshop. I taught myself Photoshop by simply exploring the options within the program. It was during this time that I
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discovered digital gaming, which became an ideal medium and potential career choice. It was not until 11th grade that I found the combination of high school and college courses very challenging to manage. Eager to focus more on the arts, I researched California boarding schools with strong art programs. In 2010, I enrolled as a junior at Besant Hill. From the outset, I flourished at Besant Hill. I found a great balance between teacher connection and student independence. The “open” Socratic method, and conversational tone, was a perfect compromise between independent study and college lecturestyle classes. Previously, I had struggled with English, but my lively BHS English class turned that around—it was not dry, but rather discussion- based discovery. I also enjoyed the class called, “Myth and the Hero’s Journey.”
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ttending Besant Hill School was a catalytic event in my life. I felt that making art and playing games were both wonderful worlds. To this day, digital gaming continues to be a passion of mine. At one point, a BHS art teacher suggested DigiPen Institute of Technology as the place for someone with interest and talent in the digital game industry. For my Senior Capstone Project, I created art for a video game including animations and backgrounds. My peers at Besant Hill will always hold a special place in my heart. The experiences that we shared, truly shaped me into the person I am today. This includes everything from playing guitar and singing with my friends in the variety shows to performing as the character Edmond in 2012’s spring play The Rose. I was able to explore all of my passions at once and this allowed me to cut to the core of what I am truly passionate about—art. In fall 2012, I enrolled at DigiPen. It was here that I found I was attracted to the artistic side of the games. This past year, I changed my major from game design to a bachelor of fine arts. The first two years of this program is intensive traditional art. Each subsequent year will incorporate more and more digital art classes as the program progresses. Currently, my portfolio includes 10 games. I am also working on various projects generating content for several games and will be increasing my portfolio. My hope is to join a game studio in the Seattle area and ultimately become an art director, lead animator, or concept artist for projects in digital games.
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“ From the outset, I flourished at Besant Hill.”
“My peers at Besant Hill will always hold a special place in my heart.”
SAVE THE DATE! Musician Kief Nilsson, ‘93 Kief Nilsson, ’93, will be speaking and playing at assembly on March 26. Kief will perform some of his tunes and then speak about his experience as a touring professional musician. After taking some questions, he will invite a select group of our student musicians up to jam with him. It will be a fun and fascinating time. Please feel free to come and join in!
April 19
March 26
Parents Day/Spring Arts Celebration Parents, please join us for Parents Day/Spring Arts Celebration 2014 on Saturday, April 19. We will be honoring student work in visual and performing arts. An email invitation with times/events will follow soon.
4:oo
Margret Krull
Memorial Sculpture Garden As part of the Spring Arts Celebration , we invite you to our annual induction ceremony in the Faculty and Staff Memorial Sculpture Garden. This year, we will be honoring Margret Krull, former kitchen maven in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. Margret fed both the bodies and souls of students, faculty, and staff. We are pleased to celebrate and honor her service to Happy Valley School. Dr. Edward Krull, as well as others who knew Margret, will be on hand to remember her. Ceremony begins at 4:00 p.m. in the garden.
4:45
Tina Leslie
Celebrating 25 Years of Service Besant Hill School of Happy Valley will also be honoring Tina Leslie for 25 years of inspired service. This celebration occurs during the annual Spring Arts Celebration on campus, and we invite all past students, friends, and colleagues to come show their appreciation for all Tina has done for the school. Festivities will begin on Saturday afternoon at approximately 4:45 p.m. in the Zalk Theater.
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Alumnus Pa l Pa u e r i s t r u ly t h e water whisp ere C h e c k o u t h r ! is website: p ri m a ry w a te ri n
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Okay, this may se e early, but tardy b m a little ir worms! The 50th-i ds get no for the Class of sh reunion 1 classes on all side 966 and being prepped for s of ‘66 is 2016. So pencil April of erase it, and do it us in, then in time is guarantee ink. A good show up. Those w d for all who ho do be left in the dir n’t will t.
IN MEMORIAM Barry Friedman / Frazier Mohawk Adapted from an article at wikipedia.com
In 2012, we lost a colorful graduate of Happy Valley School’s early years, Barry Friedman, who later adopted the name of Frazier Mohawk.
Frazier Mohawk (born Barry Friedman, December 12, 1941–June 2, 2012) was an American record producer and sometime photographer, publicist, circus owner, and farmer. Friedman attended the Happy Valley School in California. He then spent time working in circuses and as a photographer, living in France for a period. In 1962, he returned to Los Angeles, becoming a radio show producer. He also became a publicist, handling the press conferences for the Beatles around their Hollywood Bowl performance in 1964. He went on to work for the Troubadour club, becoming friendly with Stephen Stills, and helping him put together a new group, which became Buffalo Springfield. With Stills and Richie Furay, Friedman was driving the car that passed the hearse carrying Neil Young and Bruce Palmer from Canada, on Sunset Boulevard, a meeting which led to the formation of the band. As their de facto manager, he got the Springfield to tour with the Byrds, subsequently becoming involved in the Byrds’ own work. He also started to work as an independent producer, with Paul Butterfield, Kaleidoscope, the Holy Modal Rounders and others. Notably, he produced Nico’s album with John Cale, The Marble Index.
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By this time, Friedman had decided to change his name to Frazier Mohawk. Around the same time, the stresses of living in the city led him to build a studio and mountain retreat at Paxton Lodge in northern California, supported and funded by Elektra boss Jac Holzman. This was a center for creative endeavours, but, according to Holzman, relatively little usable output. Mohawk also met and married singer Sandra Hurvitz, who had previously recorded with Frank Zappa, and who now changed her name to Essra Mohawk. He subsequently produced her albums. By the mid-1970s, burned out by the music business, he moved to Canada, producing a few obscure acts and becoming seriously ill for a period. After his recovery, he established and ran his own travelling circus for several years. Eventually, he settled at Puck’s Farm north of Toronto, developing it as an attraction for families, and also including a recording studio. Herald Tribune Article:
“For a Music and Circus Impresario, Life Has Come Full Circle” Click here to read the article »
Spring Birthdays March 2 11 15 19 24 26 26
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Nick E. Sabrina Q. Donna B. Andrew Y. Amber M. Mandy Z. Mark R.
April
3 Elizabeth S. 7 Stella K. 12 Sophia V. 12 Yiyi Z. 12 Michelle W. 29 Victor G.
May
3 Angelica E. 4 Kane S. 7 Ivy S. 9 Liam M. 14 Daniel W. 18 Tommy C. 23 Faith R. 26 Pam Q 26 Jacob W.
CALENDAR
Vernal Pool
MARCH 7 Spring Break Begins
MAY 2 Beach Day
MARCH 24 Dorms Return - Open at Noon
MAY 5-18 Senior Capstone Project
MARCH 25 Classes Resume
MAY 12-14 Humanities Days
APRIL 7-11 Science Week
MAY 19-23 Capstone Presentations
APRIL 18-19 Spring Drama Production
MAY 26-29 Finals/Assessment Week & Senior Retreat
APRIL 19 Parents Day/Spring Arts Celebration
MAY 30 Commendations Dinner
APRIL 19 Spring Concert
MAY 31 2014 Commencement Ceremony Summer Break Begins
MAY 1 Prom
8585 OJAI SANTA PAULA RD PO BOX 850, OJAI CA 93024 PHONE: 805-646-4343 FAX: 805-646-4371 WWW.BESANTHILL.ORG »
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