M AG A Z I N E
summer 2016
H EA D- ROYCE SCHOOL MAGAZIN E
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SUMMER 2016 2 LIFE
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LETTER FROM THE HEAD
10 H A P P E N I N G S 14 5 T H
18 EDITORS Susan Anderson Cass Caulfield Ena Do Julie Kim-Beal Mantra Robinson Stacy Rollo
PHOTOGRAPHY Stephanie Brandt Sam Deaner Claudia Miranda Christopher Russell Richard Wheeler
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Chen Design Associates PRINTER Solstice Press
GRADE PROMOTION
Photos and highlights from the ceremonies and celebrations for the Class of 2023.
18 8 T H G R A D E P R O M O T I O N Photos and highlights from the ceremonies and celebrations for the Class of 2020. 23 A
YEAR OF ATHLETICS
26 S E N I O R
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PROJECTS
“You are not just teachers to us… You have prepared us to take our place in the world as scholars, but more importantly you have prepared us
TO TA KE O U R P LAC E IN T H E WO RLD AS A D U LTS.” — Alison Simons, Salutatorian, Class of 2016
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GRADE GRADUATION
Photos and highlights from the ceremonies and celebrations for the Class of 2016.
34 S A Y I N G T H A N K S Sharing messages of gratitude from students and parents to our faculty. 36 S A Y I N G
FAREWELL
A salute to our friend Barry Barankin, a teacher, mentor, and friend to the Head-Royce community for over 40 years. 38 T H E N
AND NOW
Find out how Head-Royce has changed through the years through conversations with seniors and their alumni parents.
41 E M P L O Y E E
AWARDS
44 E N D O W E D
CHAIR
45 A L U M N I
WEEKEND
Photos from a busy weekend of events for the alumni and for the reunion classes ending in 1 and 6. 52 A L U M N I
AWARDS
54 R O S E G A R D E N 55 A L U M N I 60 I N
NOTES
MEMORIAM
63 W H E R E
ARE THEY NOW?
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LIFE @ HRS
CON N ECT FOR A H IT Womens softball had an outstanding undefeated season culminating in a league title.
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A RT I ST I C A P P L AUS E Students show their admiration for an artist’s work during the annual art show.
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LIFE @ HRS
JUMP I N ’ FOR J OY Lower schoolers celebrate the end of school at their year end picnic on campus.
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H 2 O FU N 9th graders enjoy a day off school at their end-of-year swim party.
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LIFE @ HRS
A MAY T RAD I T I O N 1st graders show the crowd their best Charleston moves during the May dances.
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F IN AL C IR C LE TIME Seniors circle around the younger grades at the farewell ceremony.
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LIFE @ HRS
E N D -OF-Y EAR TR EATS 5th graders cool off with sundaes after a trip to the water park.
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
HOW LUCKY WE ARE
Dear Head-Royce Community, There is something profound about beginnings and endings. Those of us in school communities are especially attuned to the cycle of the school year. Over my 30 years as an educator I’ve seen several generations of students start as inquisitive and nervous kindergartners and walk across the stage 13 years later as poised, confident young adults. Firsts and lasts are captured on the calendar, on the camera and in the heart. The first day of school to the last day of school; the first school dance and the last prom; the first time on stage to the final bow; all of these moments are memorable, unique and moving. What makes these moments in time so notable and why do they leave such an impression? Is it the enormity of the transition, the excitement of what’s ahead or the nostalgia for what’s left behind? Of course it’s all of these and it’s the poignancy of a single moment that allows us to truly reflect on how thankful we are. Gratitude is an emotion and practice that benefits us in our personal and professional lives. According to the Greater Good Science Center, people who practice gratitude are happier, healthier, more compassionate and feel more connected and included. I had the honor of participating in three promotion/graduation ceremonies this past June. What I noticed at these ceremonies was a consistent expression of kindness and thankfulness; from formal speeches to casual conversations, gratitude was the expression of the day. At the Upper School graduation, the student speakers shared their deep appreciation to their teachers and parents and also thanked the cafe, maintenance and
SUMMER 2016 MAGAZINE
administrative staff who work behind the scene to make Head-Royce a special place. At eighth grade promotion, one student speaker acknowledged that, “we cannot take for granted how lucky we are to attend Head-Royce.” At the Lower School promotion ceremony, the two fifth grade teachers individually thanked each student for their unique contributions to the class and shared a short vignette about each of them. Evidence of the kindness and caring in our community is woven throughout the pages of this magazine. From formal recognition with our yearly employee, alumni and student awards to the graduation hugs captured in our candids — gratitude is abundant. You will notice that we have shared some of our students’ thank you notes that our teachers have saved for years. Gratitude is reciprocal; when you share your appreciation, everyone benefits. Now we are here at the beginning of a school year, embarking on another year of first and lasts. Elie Weisel, the great humanitarian who died this past summer noted: “When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude.” I hope you savor each first and last and take a moment to be grateful.
Crystal Land Head of School Interim 2015–2017
OU R M I S S I ON The mission of Head-Royce School is to inspire in our students a lifelong love of learning and pursuit of academic excellence, to promote understanding of and respect for the diversity that makes our society strong, and to encourage constructive and responsible global citizenship. The school nurtures the development of the whole child through a program that seeks: • to develop intellectual abilities such as scholarship and disciplined, critical thinking; • to foster in each student integrity, ethical behavior, compassion, and a sense of humor; • to promote responsibility and leadership, an appreciation of individual and cultural differences, and a respect for the opinions of others; • to nurture aesthetic abilities such as creativity, imagination, musical and visual talent; and • to encourage joyful, healthy living, a love of nature, and physical fitness.
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HAPPENINGS 1 1 REAL LI F E
LANGUAGE LESSONS
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Middle schoolers practice their Mandarin while ordering lunch in Oakland’s Chinatown.
3 GI FTS ON
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2 SMALL STUDENTS =
BI G TALENT Kindergarteners perform sets of music, magic, athletics and comedy, just to name a few, during their annual variety show.
4 A BOOK OF
DI SPLAY
MEMORI ES
Guests admire some talented student works at our annual All-School Art Show.
Students excitedly wait in line to receive their yearbooks.
5 GI VI NG BACK I N
OUR BACKYARD The Head-Royce community completes a multi-weekend project in support of Rebuilding Together Oakland.
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HAPPENINGS
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6 CU LTU R E EXC H A NG E Upper schoolers in Paris in front of La Conciergerie during spring break. Head-Royce participated in an exchange program with students from École Saint-Aspais in Melun where 16 French students came to visit our campus for two weeks in October.
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7 S E RVI N G W I T H
STY L E 10th graders preparing food at Meals on Wheels during their service learning day.
8 L AST DA N C E 5th graders participate in their final May Dance as they wind around the Maypole.
9 TEAM
C H E M IST RY Members of the championship softball team congratulate each other after another win.
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1 0 RECOGNI Z I NG
1 1 ACTI ON AT THE
ROSA PARKS
PLATE
Lower schoolers reenact the Montgomery bus boycott during a diversity assembly.
The Head-Royce catcher displays his power throw in a competitive game.
1 2 HELPI NG I N
1 3 LAST NODS
THE HABI TATS
AND BECKS
Upper schoolers volunteering at the Oakland Zoo during their service learning day.
A senior is excited to dive into her last Head-Royce yearbook.
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HAPPENINGS
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1 4 A SA LUTE TO
SPORTS Students celebrating a great year in Head-Royce sports at the end of year athletics banquet.
16 MUSICA L
MASTERY Middle School jazz and concert bands win big at the “Music in Parks” festival. Each band won first place in their respective divisions.
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15 PO O LS I D E P OS I NG 9th graders showing off their class swag at their end-of-year pool party. 17
1 7 CO U N T D OW N T I M E Upper schoolers enjoying one of their last on-campus events, Senior Project Night.
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5th Grade Promotion class of 2023
TO P R O W (L– R) Ms. Lindsay Zika (teacher), Zach Quilici, Amaan Kanji, Mikey Evans, Anay Malhotra, Jackie Min, Camille Yount, Lily Thomas, Julia Glaser, Cole Bodner, Lauren Baxter, Jasmine Khalil, Mr. Ben Ladue (teacher) SE CO N D RO W (L–R ) Farhan Habib, Audrey Ryder, David Greene, Carolina Martinic,
T HIRD ROW ( L–R) Nalini Salvekar, Buck Arney, Bilal Abraham, Adele Atherton, Ai-li Baird, Myla van Lynde, Sophie Scherer, Ellie Langdon, Darby Harrison, Charlie Yee FRONT ROW ( L–R) Catherine Ripsteen, Blake Schaaf, Lucas Reese, Juliana Newton, Hayden Thompson, Nick Sandford, Matteo Salvadei, Gabby Moon, Will Baxter
Diego Mora, Chelsey Nwamu, Ian Bai, Devin Batra, Cameron Sakoulis, Rowan Nguyen
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
5TH GRADE PROMOTION
“As twenty-first century learners, the skills necessary to succeed require you to go beyond the textbook. You need to problem solve, think critically, be resilient and show empathy. I believe in your ability to stand up and stand out. I know that each of you will be part of something that is great.”
LEA VAN NESS
Lower School Head
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5TH GRADE PROMOTION
“You have journeyed through many new adventures in 5th grade including the Civil War, the science fair, robotics and a trip to the Motherlode. Having an adventurous spirit will serve you well in Middle School and beyond.”
CRYSTAL L AND
Head of School SUMMER 2016 MAGAZINE
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8th Grade Promotion class of 2020
TOP ROW (L–R) Daniela Skov, Alina Van Eeghen, Rieth Collard, Remy Sirimongkolvit,
T HIRD ROW ( L–R) Caroline Welch, Ethan Ash, Vincent Li, Meredith Schley, Anna Greenthal,
Max Friedman, Jonathan DeMiguel, Max Bachman, TK Prather, Isabel Haas, Matthew Boranian, Jason Haas, Deven Kadlic, Luca Snoey, Matthew Hui, Andrew Cho, Devon Smith, Griffin Roche, Maddie Hardtke, Leo Beck, Lucas Dodson
Katie McCabe, Ryan Thayer, Sasha Zitter, Chloe Beittel, Joy Liu, Max Stein, Francesca Doyle, Genevieve Clay, Hana Reichel, Stephanie Wu, Rebekah Bodner, Ellie Novogradac
SE CO N D RO W (L–R ) Grace Williams, Nora Lee, Dylan Evans, Owen Cannizzo,
Sara Covin, Ethan Maxim, Erin Schmitz, Ahmed Muhammad, Ellington Davis, Chase Nwamu, Binh Liang, Sadie Ellis-Caleo, Alexander Oh, Jack Shrewsberry, Zach Schroeder, Amzie Brakeman, Olivia Robarts, Margot Fish
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FOURT H ROW ( L–R) Lucia Paris, Tara Crymble, Ellie Rosen, Vanessa Hjort, Daniel Tarkoff, Sam Yee, Rachel Dauby, Keiley Thompson, Dexter Allen, Alex Pennacchio, Isaac Zinoman, Caroline Kim, Eloise Henry, Olivia Ho-Herrera, Lauren Bartlett FRONT ROW ( L–R) Phinny Bond, Woody Miottel, Tucker Lake, Jihae Oh, Dana Castro-Galindo, Hannah Anderson, Nicole Tooper, Gayatri Singla, Gisele Yamamoto, Anna de Petra, Phillip Chin, Grady Florance, Conrad Chipman, Oliver Backer, Cole Dupee
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
8TH GRADE PROMOTION
LINDA HOOPES
Middle School Head
“I want to encourage you to embrace those moments when things do not go your way… The hard work it takes to get through those moments when we are unsuccessful at something is when character is built and resilience is born.” SUMMER 2016 MAGAZINE
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“ THIS MOM E NT RIG HT NOW IS THE G O O D ‘O LE DAYS… E M B RAC E THE AW ESOM E NESS O F THE MOM E NT YO U A RE IN RIG HT NOW.” Eighth Grade Dean
KENNY EWBANK
SARA COVIN
Eighth Grade Student
“Our class is made up of...athletes, musicians, scholars, and actors. Everyone is going to do something amazing — whatever it may be.”
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MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS 2016 TH E GL ENN K ENNEDY AWAR D
Caroline Kim & Cole Dupee
This award is given to the two 8th graders who both promote and represent Glenn Kennedy’s commitment to a caring, creative, and fun Middle School community. Mr. Kennedy served for many years as our 8th grade history teacher.
PAR ENTS ASSO CIATIO N CITIZENSHIP AWAR DS
Ellie Rosen & Leo Beck
These awards are given to the students in the Middle School who have shown consistent support of the Head-Royce community; respect for fellow students, teachers, and other adults; and generous contributions of time and energy.
TH E H OWA RD SM I TH AWAR D
Eva Verner & Arun Parwani
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWAR D
This award is given to two 7th graders who best represent Howard Smith’s high standards of character, commitment, and service. Mr. Smith was the founding Head of the Middle School at Head-Royce.
This award is given to a student or students in the Middle School for demonstrated excellence in leadership.
Maddy Hardtke
THE MIDDLE SCHO O L AWAR DS TH E SI XTH GRA DE AWAR DS
Sarah Troop-Galligan & Luke Lamison
These awards are given to two sixth graders who demonstrate commitment to the Middle School community through thoughtfulness and respect for others.
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Luca Snoey & Chase Nwamu
These awards are given to the two students in the Middle School who best represent Head-Royce’s ideal of service, scholarship, diversity and citizenship.
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ELLIE NOVOGRADAC
Eighth Grade Student
“We cannot take for granted how lucky we are to attend Head-Royce. We’ve all had our share of amazing teachers… they have really supported us and grounded us through our time in Middle School.”
“ I H AVE TWO MAI N PIECES OF ADVI CE… B E YO U… AN D LOOK UP.”
K E L LY B R O W N
Middle School English
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A Year of Athletics
The Jayhawks finished another successful year in sports as we showcased the Head-Royce spirit of competition, integrity and teamwork. Our community’s enthusiasm and support further fueled our athletes throughout the year and we were all excited to celebrate some great wins and milestones — as well as a few “firsts.”
Middle School Our Middle School fielded 22 teams in 8 different sports with more than 60% of students participating on a team. Many of these young athletes tried a sport for the first time and some were veteran players; either way they worked hard and had fun competing as a Jayhawk. SHO UT- O UTS Girls varsity volleyball, girls varsity soccer, boys varsity basketball and varsity baseball each finished second place in their league. Sixth grade girls soccer won the league title.
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Upper School With 65% of all US students participating on a sports team this year, it’s not surprising that we achieved so much and hit some new milestones. From team records to individual accomplishments, our athletes were committed and competitive on many levels. 2015– 2 0 1 6 L EAGUE TI TL ES
SH OUT-OUTS
Mens Soccer Womens Tennis Womens Softball Womens Volleyball
Fall Sports
Spring Sports
Womens volleyball was undefeated in league and spent most of year ranked in the top 10 in the East Bay for all schools, earning them a number one seed in the NCS tournament. They lost in the finals to the state champion Branson.
Baseball had a successful season, advancing to the second round of the NCS tournament.
Womens tennis secured a league title with an undefeated league record. The team made it to the second round of the NCS tournament and junior Lauren McCormack won the BCL-East Singles tournament, and finished 2nd in the NCS singles tournament. Mens soccer won the league title for the third straight year, and sixth title in seven seasons.
Winter Sports Mens varsity basketball finished third in BCL-East. Womens varsity soccer ended with a 3-7-2 record in the competitive BCL-West.
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Mens varsity golf was the only team in the league to beat powerhouse Athenian. Junior Evan Simons qualified for the NCS tournament. Womens swimming beat rival CPS for the first time in many years and the 400 free relay team qualified for the NCS meet. Softball went undefeated in their league, their first title since 1989 and made it to the semifinals of the NCS tournament. Womens track produced a strong team with many athletes qualifying for the NCS Class A meet. Womens lacrosse were competitive during their inaugural year with an all freshman team, building a strong foundation for future success.
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
2015–2016 UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETIC AWARDS O UTSTANDING SERVICE AWAR D Awarded to a member of the Head-Royce community who provided outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to Jayhawk athletics.
Chris Russell Parent of Kyle Russell ’16 AAR O N PLISHNER AWAR D Awarded to the male and female student-athletes who best exemplify the qualities of dedication, desire, team spirit, enthusiasm, and a desire to improve.
Ian van Steen ’16
Lauren Quittman ’16
Soccer, Basketball
Soccer, Track
SENIO R SCHO LAR- ATHLETE AWAR D Awarded to a male and female student for excellence in athletics and academics.
Ben Rewis ’16
Kayla Schmidlin ’16
Tennis, Cross Country
Cross Country, Track
COACHES CUP AWAR D Awarded to the male and female athletes of the year.
ALL O UR STUD EN T-AT HL ET ES DESE RVE R ECOG N I T I ON FO R THE IR TEAMWOR K , FOCUS A N D JAYH AW K S P I R I T !
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Harrison Harvey ’17
Natasha Skov ’16
Basketball, Swimming
Volleyball
BCL EAST MVP AWAR DS Awarded to outstanding athletes in the Bay Area Conference League East.
Natasha Skov ’16
Ruby Siltanen ’17
Volleyball
Softball
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Senior Projects For most of the month, seniors leave campus and foray into the world. Their classes conclude and seniors begin a unique learning experience of their choosing called Senior Projects. During this time, each student dedicates a minimum of 80 hours to their project — a project they organize themselves, finding internship-like opportunities in fields that interest them personally. Some seniors work for private companies, some investigate the non-profit world, some continue to pursue service projects that compel them, and some pursue creative
During the spring, many seniors begin thinking of their future beyond Head-Royce. In May, the school gives them an opportunity to experience what that future may be like.
interests tackling projects such as painting or directing and producing a play. Head-Royce began its Senior Project program in the early 1990s; then-Upper School Head Cathy Hunter and Senior Dean Barry Barankin brought the program to the school as a way to give seniors an opportunity to consider the future that, by nature, is already presenting itself to them as their senior year comes to an end. It is no secret that seniors’ engagement inside the classroom tends to wane towards the end of the spring, as their attention turns
toward the next stage of their lives. The Senior Project program was designed to recognize and make use of that outward turn. In the course of pursuing their projects, seniors must reach out into the community to find internship opportunities, take their skills into workplaces where they will interface with folks they don’t know, and test some of what they’ve learned during their time at school. Some come back finding their initial interests in a certain field confirmed — others discover that what they imagined would be interesting is in fact not as compelling as they believed it
Alison Simons I worked with a dog shelter in San Francisco. My job was to walk dogs, play with dogs, do laundry, clean dishes, and pick up waste. PROJECT:
I’ve learned more about dogs in general, as well as how the shelter system works. WH AT I L EA RNED:
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would be. Still others deepen a passion for helping the community or for creative work they haven’t had time to pursue in such a focused manner. The program retains almost the precise shape that it had at its inception — evidence that Barankin and Hunter had an impressive vision! Here are just a few examples of the Senior Projects embarked upon this year and some reflections from the students. For a full list of all Senior Projects please visit headroyce.org/seniorprojects.
Rohaana Sarkar PR OJ ECT: I shadowed an emergency room nurse. WHAT I LEAR NED: I have learned so much! Medically... I have learned about illnesses, treatments, medications, etc. I have learned how to draw blood, how to start an IV, how to take vitals, how to triage patients (and much more). In addition, I have learned a lot about my communication and leadership skills, multi-tasking, and bedside manner.
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
SENIOR PROJECTS
Olivia Lum PROJECT: I worked at Communication Works, an autism and speech therapy organization that helps individuals interact with the neuro-typical people in their respective environments. I sat in on speech and occupational therapy groups to see how the clients interact. I also did administrative work.
Sadie Holzman I worked with Bay Area Children’s Theatre, a non-profit organization serving children through their schools and community theaters. I worked closely with the Executive Director, Nina Meehan ’96, and got to experience theater through many different jobs: box office, backstage on kids’ shows and tech. P ROJECT :
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I learned about the business of running a non-profit in an area that I’m greatly interested in. After participating in Head-Royce theater productions for many years, it was exciting to expand my experience in the greater community. W H AT I LE A RNED:
WH AT I L EA RNED: I learned that all people are different, but that doesn’t mean that they are less than. Just because people take a longer time to process their thoughts or form a sentence does not mean that they don’t have equal mental capacity. I’ve also learned that patience is both one of the hardest and most important virtues to master.
Laurel Ettinger PROJECT: I worked at Nabolom Bakery for 6–8 hour days 3–4 days a week. I served the local Berkeley patrons and restocked the shelves. I also helped close the store (cleaning, mopping, sweeping, taking inventory, etc). WH AT I L EA RNED: Oh boy... I learned way more than I expected to learn from Senior Projects. I learned how to have patience with difficult customers (of which there are many), how to quickly fix conflicts, serve food with a smile, and what it feels like to work a full day. I got to work with adults, which at first was a little scary but then became fun as we quickly became friends, not just co-workers.
Olivia Lee PR OJ ECT: I shadowed a new doctor each day in the Oakland VA outpatient clinic. I saw from 1–3 disciplines of medicine each day. WHAT I LEAR NED: I want to be a doctor. I am so fascinated by it all and excited to get on a path towards medicine!
Caleb Rosen PR OJ ECT: I worked at the Aquatic Resources Group at Bodega Marine Labs. I cleaned tanks, water tables, and other lab equipment; prepared food and feed fish and other aquaria exhibits; maintained an ongoing eel grass experiment; worked on other on-going experiments, mainly involving various bivalve species. WHAT I LEAR NED: I learned a lot about sterile lab protocol and the work that goes into maintaining marine lab experiments.
Nathan Cao PR OJ ECT: I helped create a web app using Python for the Lumos Cloud data centers. WHAT I LEAR NED: I learned a lot about Python coding, as well as how databases are structured.
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12th Grade Graduation class of 2016
TOP ROW (L–R) Sol Zitter, Babette Thomas, Ben Rewis, Anish Mohka, Samit Lamba,
T HIRD ROW ( L–R) Georgia Scherer, Trevor Chan, Jackson Stenger, Zach Hjort, Nathan Cao,
Wendell Phillips, Zach Bloemker, Gavin Lituchy, Rafael Luna Cruz, Kyle Russell, Jesse Steuart, Calvin Achorn, Jerry Feist, Liam Lafferty, Thomas Harper, Natasha Skov, Zoe Jennings, Max Jennings, Dylan Thiermann
Daniel Lee, Abby Judge, Abby Garrett, Danielle Sitzman, Omar Jadallah-Karraa, Emma Scanlan, Keving Feng, Sabrina Chern, Alexis Gentry, Bradford Chen, Chase Newman, Sophia Artis
S E CO N D R O W (L–R ) Ryan Fong, Patrick Jimenez, Kristina Randrup, Alberto Garcia,
Nick Tintoc, Troy Williams, Bobby Wirth, Malcolm Yeary, Ian van Steen, Jack Huang, Elliot Farinaro, Isabel Napper, Kaitlin Colvin, Clara Maxim, Quincey Mulligan, Claire Stevenson, Emma Levine, Ben Anderson, Henrik Tiemroth
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FOURTH ROW (L–R) Jenny Zhang, Mazvita Nyamuzuwe, Natatlie Hartman, Jacqueline Cheng, Priya Achanta, Kako Ito, Brooklyn Copeland, Kayla Schmidlin, Moriah Tolliver, Julia O’Sullivan, Maddy Bank, Taya Hardy, Olivia Lum, Karen Lara, Caleb Rosen, Olivia Lee, Vassiliki Grigoropoulos, Remi Tupper FRONT ROW ( L–R) Aditi Kumar, Alison Simons, Zina Abourjeily, Anisha Kaul, Claudia Wong, Laurel Ettinger, Miriam Bachman, Ghena Judge, Lauren Quittman, Rohaana Sarkar, Mika Taga-Anderson, Kat Jeung, Ridha Kapoor, Sadie Holzman, Ashley Scales, Deborah Low, Kimaya Chalpe
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
12TH GRADE GRADUATION
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“It’s like the roller coaster has crested and you begin to get that funny feeling in your stomach. That’s where we are…So do what you always do on roller coasters, throw your arms in the air and close your eyes, surrender.”
BENJAMIN REWIS
Class of 2016
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
12TH GRADE GRADUATION
LIFERS 2016
“ IF THE RE AR E ANY FURT HER QUEST I ON S, P L EASE CO N SULT YO URS ELVES. TH AT ’S WHE RE T H E BIG TRUTHS L I V E.”
CARL THIERMANN
Upper School Head
TOP R OW ( L–R ) Thomas Harper, Gavin Lituchy S ECON D R OW ( L–R ) Georgia Scherer, Ben Rewis, Ian van Steen, Clara Maxim, Dylan Thiermann T HIRD R OW ( L–R ) Trevor Chan, Maddy Bank, Kayla Schmidlin,
Olivia Lum, Emma Levine, Claire Stevenson FRON T R OW ( L–R ) Alison Simons, Claudia Wong, Remi Tupper, Sadie Holzman, Deborah Low
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CL ASS OF 2016 COLLEGE MATRICUL ATION
Our seniors will attend the following colleges and universities:
Bard College
Emory University
Oberlin College
University of California, Santa Cruz
Berklee College of Music
Georgetown University
Pomona College
University of Chicago
Brown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Princeton University
University of Colorado at Boulder
Bucknell University
Goucher College
Santa Clara University
University of Michigan
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Harvard University
Scripps College
University of Oregon
Harvey Mudd College
Seattle University
University of Portland
Carleton College
Johns Hopkins University
Swarthmore College
University of Redlands
Claremont McKenna College
King’s College London
Trinity College
University of San Francisco
Colgate University
Lehigh University
Tufts University
University of Southern California
Columbia University
Lewis & Clark College
Tulane University
University of Washington
Connecticut College
Loyola Marymount University
University of California, Davis
Washington University in St. Louis
Dartmouth College
New York University
University of California, Los Angeles
Wellesley College
Duke University
Northeastern University
University of California, San Diego
Wesleyan University
Emerson College
Northwestern University
University of California, Santa Barbara
Yale University
“What defines you (the Class of 2016) is that you have learned to pick yourselves up. In the future when times are tough, remember this and hold onto it. It will serve you well.”
BILL NEWELL
Chair, Board of Trustees
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BARRY BARANKIN
Upper School Dean of Students
12TH GRADE GRADUATION
“ WE AR E EXCI T ED, H OP E FU L , A L I T T L E N E RVO US AB OUT I F AN D HOW T H I S ST E P I N TO T H E UN FAM I L I AR W I L L WO RK O UT, A N D Q U I T E CE RTAI N T HAT I T I S TH E N EXT ST E P A N D T H AT N OW I S T H E T I ME TO TA K E I T.”
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SAYING THANKS Teaching is profession filled with gratitude — especially at Head-Royce. Our educators are the lucky recipients of smiles, high fives and notes of thanks — such as those on this page. Across the Head-Royce community, we’re all aware of what a special place this is. On these pages you can see just a sampling of some of the thank yous teachers have collected and held onto over the years. These notes of gratitude are wonderful reminders of the difference our teachers make and how lucky our teachers feel to have such a profound influence, even for a short time, in the lives of our children.
“Thank you for being the ultimate teacher; for helping us learn to read critically, think deeply and write clearly and honestly.”
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
SAYING THANKS
“This semester was amazing—thoughtprovoking, fun, and new. I couldn’t have enjoyed Women’s Lit. more.”
“ I LOV E H OW YO U CA N TEAC H US HISTO RY W E L L , W H I L E ST I L L MA KING IT FU N. BECAUSE O F YO U, H I STO RY H AS B EE N O NE O F MY FAVO RI T E C L AS S ES.”
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Barry Barankin A Head-Royce Legend Retires 1
Four decades ago, a young, idealistic, energetic scholar and dramatist named Barry Barankin, fresh out of Yale University, stepped onto the Head- Royce campus for the first time. In a matter of days, this personable, charismatic figure began to enrich and shape the lives of his students. Indeed, over the course of the next 40 years, Barry would come to represent the heart and soul of a Head-Royce education. In his remarkable career, Barry has been both a dynamic teacher and academic leader: he refined and shaped the Junior year humanities curriculum in concert with David Enelow, he created signature courses in Japanese Literature and Modern Drama, he chaired the English Department
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with authority and grace, and he served as the first Senior Dean, establishing several of the school’s most beloved traditions, including the Senior Play and Senior Projects. For the past decade, Barry has been a superlative Dean of Students, supporting a diverse extracurricular program of clubs, community gatherings, guest speakers, and assemblies. In addition, he found the time and energy to lead student trips to Europe and Asia and teach for a semester in Switzerland in a French speaking school. Much beloved by generations of students and faculty, Barry leaves Head-Royce with an important gift: an enduring legacy of excellence.
“You gave me my first taste of self-confidence and taught me how to be, and what was important and what wasn’t at the age of fourteen.” – S.T.
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
“YOU A RE BY FA R
SAYING FAREWELL
ON E O F T H E SMART EST ME N I H AVE EV E R H A D T HE P R I V I L EGE O F M EET I N G A N D MY FAVOR I T E T EAC H E R . YOU H AV E N OT O N LY B EEN A N I N S P I RI N G T EAC H E R BUT A G R EAT F RI E N D.” – G.F. 2011
2
“You not only have taught me 5
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how to read and write, but how to live my life.” – B.
1 Barry discusses a Shakespearean scene with students during intermission on the 2013 Annual Ashland trip. 2 Barry hanging up “Marguerite the Flying Con” during class. 3 Barry honored at Alumni Weekend 2016 by former student Krista Marie Yu ’06. 4 Barry with the spring 2005 softball team.
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5 Embracing each of the 50 alumni who were part of the surprise reveal at Barry’s retirement dinner.
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L I SA H A RDY ’ 8 4 TAYA H A RDY ’ 1 6 What was your favorite lunch to order at Head-Royce? L IS A – I had to go off-campus to Blondies and Yogurt Park in Berkeley, then we would race back and eat on campus. TAYA – My favorite salad with bacon,
cheddar cheese, caesar dressing and a little bit of lettuce.
Where did you like to hang out on campus during your senior year?
Then and Now For some families, a Head-Royce education is a tradition, where parents and children share the unique HRS educational experience. We sat down with four recent graduates and their alumni parents to see how Head-Royce has changed and stayed the same through the years.
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Where did you hang out off campus during your senior year? LIS A – Near Cal on Bancroft Ave, we would go to Leopold’s and Rasputin’s to buy these things called records. We also hung out on Telegraph Ave, Montclair and sometimes made the trip out to Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton. TAYA – The burrito place down the
street, Joaquin Miller Park and the mall.
Favorite class at Head-Royce?
L IS A – We hung out in the senior lounge which was off the current Middle School patio.
TAYA – My ethics class taught by
TAYA – The Upper School hallway,
Dr. Bradley.
where I often put two chairs together and took a nap. The Upper School patio is nice too.
LIS A – Probably AP Bio taught by Pat Curtin, we had so much fun.
Favorite extracurricular activity at Head-Royce? LIS A – Colla Voce, I was one of the students who helped found it. TAYA – The boat races and the chariot races.
THEN AND NOW
S H E L BY TU P P E R ’8 0 RE MI TU P P E R ’1 6 What was your favorite lunch to order at Head-Royce? S H E L BY – There was not anywhere
to order but they had just installed these new things called microwaves. So I would bring a ham and cheese sandwich and I would warm it up in the microwave.
Favorite class at Head-Royce? S HE LBY – AP Biology — we had a really
fun study group. R E M I – Short story with Andy Spear
Favorite extracurricular activity at Head-Royce? S HE LBY – After-school theater with
RE MI – My special order salad with
Barankin
cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers.
R E M I – Women’s Affinity Group and the Learning Differences Group because I’ve been able to create change in both, which has been really great.
Where did you like to hang out on campus during your senior year? S H E L BY – The library, which was
located in the current community room. I had my own corner near the radiator, I’d leave my books there and people knew it was my spot. RE MI – The senior lounge — only
seniors go there.
Where did you hang out off campus during your senior year? S H E L BY – Blimpy’s on Bancroft RE MI – Telegraph Ave and Montclair Village.
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MA RT H A S I N GE R ’7 7 ZO E J E N N I N GS ’ 1 6 & MAX JE NNING S ’1 6 What was your favorite lunch to order at Head-Royce? MART HA – I don’t think there was a
cafeteria. I did enjoy getting my Tab and Fresca out of the vending machines. There were also free snacks in the Middle School hallway. At that time it was the Upper School. ZO E – Mac n’ cheese MAX – Salad
Where did you like to hang out on campus during your senior year?
Favorite class at Head-Royce? M ART HA – Biology and Natural History of California with Barney Howard and Pat Curtin. ZO E – Women’s Literature with Stevie M AX – Modern Drama with Mr. Barankin
Favorite extracurricular activity at Head-Royce? M ART HA – My classmate and I would go to the Lake Merritt Rowing Club and row on the lake.
near the vending machines — in the hallway near what is now the MEW.
ZO E – A Caravan competition in Walnut Creek — we got a really high score and the judge was very complimentary towards us.
ZO E – Senior lounge
M AX – Ninth grade Fallout — where
MAX – The senior lounge, technically it’s the student lounge, but it’s really the senior lounge.
I found all the friends that I hung out with for the next 4 years.
MART HA – There was a little corner
Where did you hang out off campus during your senior year? MART HA – On Domingo Ave in Berkeley ZO E – Montclair Village MAX – Claremont Library
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
EMPLOYEE AWARDS Each year, three outstanding members of our professional community — including staff, administration and faculty — are recognized for their contributions to the school and its mission through peer-nominated employee awards. This recognition is special in that it gives our Head-Royce professional community a way to express appreciation for their co-workers who make a difference in our school everyday.
Mikki Frazier, Director of Programs, receives the Michael Traynor Family Fellowship from Head of School, Crystal Land.
This year, we were pleased to honor the following employees with an employee award grant: MICHAEL TRAYNOR FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
Awarded to Michelle “Mikki” Frazier, Director of Programs The Michael Traynor Family Fellowship was established in 1983 by the Traynor family to honor individuals who have “served the school with excellence and exceptional spirit and have especially enhanced the lives of others.” During her eight years at Head-Royce, Mikki has proven again and again what it means to embody our school’s mission. Through her passion and vision, she’s enhanced our own programs while deepening our connection to the greater Oakland community. As the Director of Programs at Head-Royce School, Mikki Frazier manages the AfterSchool Program, Summer Program and collaboratively oversees the Heads Up Program. In this role, she is responsible for
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the long-term vision, planning and implementation for all auxiliary programs and identifying strategic partnerships between these programs and the greater Oakland community. Mikki came to Oakland in 1997 to join the Holy Names University Womens Basketball team, during this time, she also began her lifelong love affair with the City of Oakland. After the birth of her pride and joy, Cameron, Mikki was determined to expose her son to the rich culture of Oakland, and she began her work at Head-Royce School. A dedicated athlete, educator, coach and student, Mikki enjoys staying active, challenging herself and parenting "Boogie".
“MIKKI WORKS SO SO HARD AND JUGGLES SO MANY DETAILS, BUT ALWAYS HAS A SMILE AND KEEPS PLUGGING AWAY, IMPROVING THE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES EACH YEAR.”
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THE MANDEL SPIRIT AWARD
Awarded to Deirdre Williams ’80, Accounts Receivable Coordinator The Mandel Spirit Award was established in memory of one of Head-Royce’s greatest fans, Chris Mandel. Four of her five children attended the school and the Mandel family honored Chris’s memory by establishing an endowed award to recognize a member of the professional community who brings passion and spirit to the school.
27-year employee Dierdre Williams receives the Chris Mandel Spirit Award, with members of the Mandel family — Vanessa Mandel Ripsteen ’93, John Mandel ’86, Frances Ripsteen and Caroline Ripsteen ’25.
According to some, Deirdre Williams is the “human face of Head-Royce business.” In fact, for more than 27 years, Deirdre has professionally and passionately helped operations run smoothly. Not only is she an employee, but also an alumna! Deirdre attended Head-Royce
from 1968–1978 and has worked at the school for over 27 years. In her current job, she manages student accounts, including billing and record keeping. Prior to Head-Royce she worked for the City of Oakland in the Business Tax division. Deirdre’s daughter, Dejah, has followed in her mother’s footsteps to Head-Royce,
and is a member of the class of 2017. In her spare time, Deirdre enjoys skating, traveling, riding roller coasters, and spending time with family. She is a dedicated Raiders, Warriors, and A’s fan as well as a passionate supporter of the Jayhawks! “Deirdre is the perfect example of this award. She is constantly working with parents to help them navigate the enrollment, tuition, and fees processes. She has a way of making us all feel special and encourages us (faculty, staff, students) to do our best work. As an alum, staff member, and parent she carries each aspect of her time here with grace and professionalism.”
“SHE HAS A WAY O F MA KING US A LL FE E L SPEC IA L A ND E NCO U RAG ES US TO DO O U R B EST WO RK .”
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
EMPLOYEE AWARDS THE GRANNIE J. FELLOWSHIP
Awarded to Carol Kennedy, Third Grade Teacher The Grannie J. Fellowship was established by the Burge Family in memory of Cicely Joyce Burge-Conell — a woman who believed in the philosophy of lifelong learning (and grandmother of Glynn ’86 and Onie ’88). The Grannie J. Fellowship is awarded to an individual who inspires students and demonstrates excellence in their role at Head-Royce.
“Carol puts the students first and foremost. She is ALWAYS looking at what would best serve them and make their school life the best it possibly can be. As an incredible educator, she inspires students to reach for the stars and gives them unconditional love and support.”
“CA R O L PUTS THE S T U D E N TS F I R S T A N D FO REMOST… SHE INSPIRES STU DE NTS TO REAC H FO R T H E STA RS A ND G IVES T H E M U NCO NDITIO NA L LOV E A ND SU PPO RT.”
Those who know Carol say she gives all her heart to the children she teaches. A native of New England, Carol grew up outside of Boston. She earned a B.A. from Trinity College in Hartford and a M.Ed. from Lesley College in Boston. She began teaching at Head-Royce in 1980 and, after a brief stint in first grade, she moved to third grade where she established the annual wagon train field trip as a time-honored lower school tradition. Away from the classroom, Carol enjoys spending time reading, hiking, exploring beaches and enjoying all the Bay Area has to offer with her husband, Mack and her daughter Maddie ’07, a Head-Royce “lifer.”
Third grade teacher Carol Kennedy receives the Grannie J. Fellowship, with Grannie J.’s grandson, Glyn Burge ’86.
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ENDOWED CHAIR TAN FAMILY DISTINGUISHED CHAIR IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND MATHEMATICS
Chair Holder: Andy Sparks, Middle School Math and Science Faculty For fifteen years, Head-Royce has awarded endowed faculty chairs to deserving members of our faculty. The establishment of these faculty chairs serves as a wonderful way to honor both the deserving recipients as well as the generous donors who provide critical funding to further learning, innovation and progress for Head-Royce School and our students. Head-Royce has a total of five faculty chairs that recognize outstanding service to the school, providing a salary stipend and professional development funds — giving them the opportunity to bring depth to their particular area of focus. This year, we are awarding a new recipient for the Tan Distinguished Chair as we bid a fond farewell to our current chair, Scott Clark, who is moving to Washington D.C. with his family after a decade of outstanding teaching and service at Head-Royce. We are pleased to award our 6th grade math teacher, Andy Sparks, with the Tan
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Distinguished Chair for the next three years. This honor recognizes a member of the faculty who excels in teaching math, science, or technology and inspires students to consider a lifetime commitment to study and work in those fields. Past trustees and parents Lip-Bu Tan & Ysa Loo established the Tan Distinguished Chair in 2002. Their children, Andrew ’07 and Elliott ’10 were Head-Royce lifers and their family’s generosity continues to impact Head-Royce teachers and students long after their children have graduated. Andy Sparks joined Head-Royce in 1997, after working as a fifth and seventh grade teacher and a soccer and lacrosse coach at independent schools in Tacoma, Washington and Marin County. During the summers she has explored many interests and worked in a variety of roles, including as an archaeologist, a whitewater rafting guide, and a traffic manager for a recycling start up in Oakland. Her tenure at HeadRoyce can best be described as creative,
diverse and collaborative. Andy has taught science, math, history and English, all with expertise and enthusiasm. She served as the lead science teacher on the sixth grade team for many years, developing new curriculum and projects for the science team. Some projects of note include the lunar mission project, the egg drop competition and modeling of tectonic plates. Andy also quietly become a master sixth grade math teacher. While science is her first passion, she’s been an invaluable resource for the overall Middle School curriculum, serving as a thoughtful advocate for what’s best for students, as well as a collaborator and mentor to several new teachers. She also served as faculty moderator for the 2014–15 academic year. In her spare time Andy enjoys spending time with husband Ben and sons Isaak and Henry, hiking and biking in the East Bay hills and tending to her family’s menagerie of cats, lizards and chickens.
TO SEE A LIST OF ALL CURRENT ENDOWED CHAIRHOLDERS P L E A S E V I S I T H E A D R O Y C E . O R GH/EEANDD- ROOWYECDECSHCAHI OR OS L
ALUMNI WEEKEND FRIDAY EVE N TS APRIL 29, 2016
Over 200 members of the Head-Royce Community spanning seven decades of the school’s history came together on April 29 & 30 to celebrate Alumni Weekend & Reunion 2016. Over the course of two days and eight different events, alumni, faculty, former faculty, parents of alumni and their families and guests enjoyed reconnecting, reminiscing, visiting classrooms and watching beloved traditions like the Maypole Dance.
FRIDAY • Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year Presentation • Lunch with Faculty and Graduating Seniors • Classroom Tours • FaculTEA • Maypole Dance • Alumni Cocktail Reception SATU RDAY • Reunion Luncheon • Current Campus and former Josiah Royce School Campus tours
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CO C KTA IL PA RTY APRIL 29, 2016
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
ALUMNI WEEKEND SATU RDAY LU N CH APRIL 30, 2016
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C LASS-SP ECI F I C EVE N TS
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
CLASS PHOTOS
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ALUMNI WEEKEND
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The 45th Reunion for the Class of 1971 by Kate Johnson Spector
The Class of 1971 enjoyed their 45th reunion and it was made even more special with the attendance from members of the classes of 1970 and 1972, as well as former faculty members. We began thinking about our reunion in the Fall of 2015 and preparations went underway in January of 2016. On Friday night of Reunion Weekend, Elena Ortega and her husband Frank O’Brien hosted 30 women and one male at their lovely home for a delicious taco dinner — homemade right in their back yard. Along with all of the old yearbooks, snap shots, and various memorabilia that people bring to these events, Patty Weyand from the class of 1972 provided a treasure trove of old tuition invoices, payment schedules, uniform purchases, and a bill for her School Store account where we could “charge” supplies! On Saturday, classmates attended the annual luncheon on the HRS campus. The photo booth was crowded with our group! The faculty members were thrilled to re-connect with us: Anne Mickley Carr (English, 1967–1969), Mary Clarke (Reading and Test Preparation, 1970), Lucia (Werner) Heldt (English, 1968–1970), David Leinbach (English, 1970–1975), Dr. Andrea (Cropper) Rosanoff (PhD, Biology and Science). Andy Rosanoff provides in her own words, her teaching timeline at the school! “I taught at Anna Head School for two years when it was still a girls’ school:
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1968–1970. Then I took a break, and was back teaching at Josiah Royce School when it was a boys’ school from 1974–1976. During that time I also taught middle school science to some AHS girls. Then, I taught at Head-Royce school in the 1984–85 year, 1985–86 year, and half of the 1986–1987 year when I left at the end of 1987.” Patti Stauch, our dance instructor was unable to make it at the last moment. In the meantime, we have been in touch with Madame Pierce and Madame Pauly, both who taught French. It meant so much to these teachers that we had reached out to them. Their lessons remain with us today. We feel fortunate to call them our friends.
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
ALUMNI WEEKEND
Thank you to our wonderful class reunion chairs for reaching out to their classmates and organizing class-specific reunion activities: 1946: Darlene Daily Kramer 1956: Alexandra ‘Sandy’ James 1966: Liz Riedel Bateman 1971: Kate Johnson Spector, Pamala Hackley, Elena Ortega, Julie Williamson Aragon 1986: John Mandel, Michelle Gildersleeve 1996: Kirsty Brown Gumina 2006: Justin Chen, Krista Marie Yu
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TO VIEW A FULL COMPLEMENT OF ALUMNI WEEKEND PHOTOS, P L E A S E V I S I T W W W. H E A D R O Y C E . O R G / W E E K E N D .
ALUMNI AWARDS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Dr. Lisa Kirtman ’86 Dr. Lisa Kirtman ’86 is currently the Associate Dean of Education at California State Fullerton. She taught elementary school and was an assistant principal in the Los Angeles Unified School District before making the decision to move into university-level administration. This transition was motivated by her desire to maximize her impact on the lives of students by becoming an educator of educators, teaching and guiding those whose chosen career is that of public school teacher.
As the Associate Dean of Education at CSUF, she is responsible for the oversight of hiring, management, and evaluation of all college staff, and works with the Dean on the management and support of university faculty and chairs. Dr. Kirtman oversees curriculum and program development, including the advancement of technology for a college that serves over 1800 credential and graduate students. In addition to managing all accreditation efforts on a state and national level, she
provides leadership in developing relationships between the College and the school districts, promoting and instituting effective responses to the increased emphasis on the professional preparation of teachers and administrators. Working in consultation with the department heads, Dr. Kirtman coordinates the budget, course scheduling, faculty contracts, student admissions, and other division operations. Prior to becoming Associate Dean, Dr. Kirtman served as the chair for the Department of Elementary and Bilingual Education. In this position, she supported and encouraged faculty to respond to calls for advancement in STEM education and 21st Century Teaching and Learning. ‘Technology Boot Camp’ and the ‘iPad Pilot’ are two examples of programs that were created and supported under her leadership to ensure that all multiple subject credential candidates are introduced to 21st century skills, digital citizenship, and technology tools to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. Dr. Kirtman also collaborated with the Center for Creativity and Critical Thinking (CCCT) and the Segerstrom Center to increase opportunities for art integration in the curriculum.
Lisa attended UCLA as an undergraduate where she majored in psychology with a minor in business. After graduation, while teaching in the LAUSD, Lisa went on to earn her masters from UCLA and her PhD from the University of California at Berkeley. Lisa cites her time at Head-Royce as a key motivator for her desire to get into the field of education. Her gratitude and appreciation for her time, experiences and learning as a student at Head-Royce compelled her to want to create that for all students. As a third generation educator, Lisa feels just as passionate about the field of education as the first day she ever taught in a classroom. Note: Dr. Kirtman was recently promoted to Dean of Education at California State Fullerton.
Lisa with Head of School Emeritus Paul Chapman and Interim Head of School Crystal Land 52
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
ALUMNI AWARDS
OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Kalin Werner ’08 Kalin Werner ’08 is currently the Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Officer at Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ), a position she began as a 2015–16 Global Health Corps Fellow. As RMP Officer, she develops relationships, builds networks, and enhances funding for PPAZ, a non-governmental organization (NGO) advancing the cause of sexual and reproductive health rights in Zambia for women, men, youth, especially the vulnerable.
The resources that Kalin generates support both programming and infrastructure projects such as the construction of maternity ‘waiting homes’. In Zambia, much of the population lives in extremely remote rural areas. ‘Waiting homes’ admit pregnant women near term who don’t have access to clinics local to their own villages. Here they are best supported to safely birth their babies and have access to medical support should there be complications during
Kalin’s parents Robert and Siew Werner accepted the award on her behalf from Alumni Council President, Tejal Patel ’86
a meal with her and other Head-Royce students in the café.
delivery. This decreases the country’s high neonatal and maternal mortality rates. Prior to PPAZ, Kalin spent six months volunteering at Health Equity Initiatives (HEI) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where her own mother is from. HEI is an NGO committed to advancing the right to health for marginalized populations. Kalin worked specifically with Malaysia’s refugee population, with a focus on mental health services. Kalin’s passion to work in the field of global health first germinated during her involvement as the Community Service Student Chair at Head-Royce. It was while at Head-Royce that she also had her first foray in working on an African-based community service project, by fundraising for a Malawi-based orphanage. She cites the enormous and lasting impact she felt when visitors from the orphanage shared
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Kalin was able to work on the ground internationally for the first time while attending UCLA as a Grassroots Onsite Work (GROW) Intern for the Straight Talk Foundation. There she designed and implemented a community-based, sustainable and income-generating program for young mothers based on goat-rearing. After graduating from UCLA, she worked domestically in rural Illinois as a Public Health Associate for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Kalin hopes to eventually work for an international health organization with a focus on development of international health policy and systems. She highlights the recent Ebola outbreak as a need for the development of effective international health systems and stable global health policies. Next year, Kalin will take a major step toward her goal by attending the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics to obtain her Masters in Health Policy, Planning and Financing.
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ROSE GARDEN A special space on campus, the Charlotte Rose Frey Memorial Garden recently received a new updated look this past spring. Charlotte Rose Frey passed away in 2002 when she was an eighth grader at Head-Royce. The garden was established to honor her memory and included a seating platform and small rose garden. The refurbished garden now includes an expanded seating platform, new retaining wall, access stairs, safety railing and landscaping. The new space is enjoyed much more by students, as a popular gathering area especially during lunch and breaks.
Current Head-Royce students enjoying the garden during lunch.
Charlotte was a member of the class of 2006 and fellow classmates held a small reception in the garden during their 10 year reunion at Alumni Weekend this past April. It was a special time for members of the class to share memories and honor a classmate in a beautiful setting. The garden’s new look is thanks to the generosity of alumni and other members of the Head-Royce community who have donated to a garden maintenance fund created to pay for on-going maintenance of the space.
Members of the Class of 2006 reconnect in the new garden space during Alumni Weekend.
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HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
ALUMNI NOTES 1945
1986
1994
BA R B A RA SCOFI EL D H EM PH I L L (FO R M ERLY LAUZON) wrote to say, “After losing two husbands, I have married Bill Hemphill — living in Oregon — still playing golf and bridge.”
L I SA K I RTM A N M A RSH, this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award, was promoted to Dean of the College of Education at Cal State Fullerton in August. (Read more about Lisa on page 52.)
BEN METCALF was appointed director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development by Governor Brown in November 2015. Ben has been deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since 2013, where he served as senior advisor to the commissioner and assistant secretary of housing from 2011 to 2013 and as senior advisor to the deputy assistant secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs from 2010 to 2012. He was the project manager at BRIDGE Housing Corporation from 2004 to 2010, a research associate at the Center for Court Innovation from 2000 to 2001 and a development associate at Common Ground Community from 1998 to 2000. Ben earned a Master of Public Policy degree in public policy and urban planning from the Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government.
1956 sent in this family photo of the dedication of the Hay-Patton Rehearsal Center at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Emmy’s brother, Richard Hay, has been at the Festival for 59 years and started as a student at Stanford. He has designed their four theatres and has twice-designed a set for the entire Shakespeare canon. In the photo starting from the left are Emmy’s daughter Michelle, granddaughter Kourtney, brother Richard, son Mark, granddaughter Kaitlyn, Emmy and Mark Jones. Kaitlyn will be graduating from OSU in June. Kourtney is a freshman at Linfield College. E M M Y HAY LO NG
ALUMNI NOTES
1987 M I K E NELSON is currently President/ CEO and Planning Director of LACO Associates, an engineering consulting company specializing in development, infrastructure, water/waste water, and planning projects with offices in Eureka, Ukiah, and Santa Rosa, California. Mike and his wife, Sally, have three sons.
1995 MAR GAR ET PISKITEL is the new Assistant Head of School at Park Day School in Oakland.
Feb 2016 at the dedication of the Hay-Patton Rehearsal Center at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival
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1998 DOMIN I C VA L ERI A N and his wife Xingying are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Kai Johansing Valerian. Kai was born March 31, 2016 at 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and 21 inches. At seven weeks, he weighed 12 pounds and loves Mom, bouncing, and gazing at the ceiling.
2018
2020
Former Head-Royce Class of 2018 student, NEERAV KUM A R has been chosen as a First Prize winner by the International Music Competition ‘Salzburg’ Grand Prize Virtuoso 2016 and has been selected to perform the cello at the Wiener Saal Mozarteum on July 13, 2016. Neerav attended Head-Royce from 2005 to 2011 prior to his family’s relocation to New York.
Former Head-Royce student ABHINAV KUMAR traveled to the US Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. to present his invention — the Magneto Charger — at the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Exposition. Four hundred competitors from 15 states participated in this first-annual convention where their inventions were judged using criteria that included evaluation of process, solution, applications, and the presentation. Abhi received the First Place award for the Best Overall 7th and 8th Grade Invention. Abhi’s Magneto Charger amplifies the strength of a wireless power charger using a small, spinning magnet. Abhi attended Head-Royce from K to 3rd grade and is currently a rising 9th grader at Rye Country Day School in Rye, New York.
2005 ME G BA RA N KI N is a senior copywriter for Spear Marketing Group, a full-service agency specializing in demand generation, lead management and ROI-based marketing. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
2016 Congratulations to all 90 members of the recently graduated CLASS OF 2016! Welcome to the Head-Royce Alumni Community!
2008 AL EX S ETZ EP FA N DT graduated from Cal Berkeley in 2013 and Yale Law School in 2016. He currently resides in New York City.
2009 MADDI E KEEN A N recently joined the class of 2020 at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Faculty On a recent weekend a group of former Head-Royce faculty members gathered at the home of Chris & Tim Laddish in Sheep Ranch. One morning they helped stack wood that will be used next winter. Left to right: Joyce Roby, Cathy Hunter, Barney Howard, Cathy Epstein, Nancy Knop, Chris Laddish, Luzanne Engh, Jo Howard.
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Notes from the Class of 1966 on the occasion of their 50th reunion ELIZABETH ( L I Z ) R I ED EL BAT E MA N ’ 6 6 AT T EN DED: UC Davis, BA in Psychology SF State University, MA in Education of the Exceptional Child George Mason University, TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Certificate DAYS AT HEA D’ S : I remember a fabulous French teacher and also an art teacher who had a positive impact on me. I remember pink slips (I got a couple for shortening my skirt and wearing eye shadow as I recall), and chapel. I think we were the first class to get new uniforms — plaid skirts and seersucker dresses. I made
the huge mistake of spraying perfume on my uniform sweater and having to smell its sickly sweet scent all day. Horseback riding was a favorite pastime. Really, Anna Head’s was a big transition for me from feeling like I didn’t fit in to graduating with honors and knowing that I could accomplish anything I chose to. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t able to attend this reunion, and reconnect with ladies who helped me ease successfully into adulthood. ME M ORA B L E EX PERI ENCES AT H EA D’S: Uppermost in my mind was November 22, 1963. I was sitting in class when the announcement of JFK’s assassination
was made and school was dismissed. I remember walking dazedly down the streets of Berkeley to catch the bus for home. Some events stay with a person forever. On the silly side, I also remember buying sweet rolls from the delivery truck man and eating my contraband with relish. No doubt there was jelly on my mouth when I slid into class. WH AT H AVE YOU B EEN UP TO SI NCE H EA D’S? Wow, how to condense 50 years!? After graduating from Anna Head’s, I started out at Cal-State Hayward and then transferred to UC Davis where I graduated in psychology. I moved to Tacoma, WA, where I worked for a year as an attendant-counselor at Western State Mental Institution, a truly Gothic building. I have a lot of stories to tell! Then I moved back to the Bay Area and flew as a flight attendant for an international charter airline and again, lots of stories to tell, but it was a wonderful experience. I was accepted into the MA program at SF State University in Education of the Exceptional Child and worked at the California School for the Blind teaching multi-handicapped deafblind children. LOTS of stories to tell!
ALUMNI NOTES
married for 39 years. We have lived in Florida, Virginia Beach and have been here in Fairfax, VA for 32 years. I have two handsome sons, one is an airline pilot and the other is a contractor. I stopped working while they were growing up, and then went back to school to get my Teaching English as a Second Language certificate so that I could teach at our local junior college. I taught reading and advanced composition/grammar for 14 years (again, lots of stories) and retired a year ago. Now I’m enjoying my friends, playing bridge (sort of) mahjong, reading for a book group, and am in a local women’s club and DAR. I love visiting my sons and their families, and also love taking classes through George Mason University for seniors, especially the classes on politics and international relations. There are lots of spirited discussions in these classes which are a lot of fun. I really did try to make this brief, but I have had a wonderful life, and I think that had I not gone to Head’s, my future wouldn’t have been as bright as it has been. For that, I am truly grateful. I hope my classmates will keep in touch and that I’ll be able to reconnect with them!
I met my husband on a blind date, a Navy pilot, and we’ve been happily
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SH AND LATH R OP G R EEN ’ 66 ATTEN DED: University of Washington, B.A. in French and Education — 1970 Georgetown University Law Center, J.D. — 1975 DAYS AT HEA D’ S : I recall 11am ‘snack recess’ in the Quad with wisteria in bloom. Graduation was special — long white dresses, Seniors on the Stairs, turning over the Stairs to Juniors and giving them their rings. ME MO RA B L E EXP ER I E N C E S AT H EA D’ S : Marty Leaver playing the lead male role in “The Boyfriend” with Mrs. Wilhelm & Georgie Abel directing; 7th Grade with Miss Engelhart; French classes with Madame Jacobs; Latin classes with Mrs. Lamar; Singing “Oh Holy Night” in the balcony at the Christmas performance, but we were no longer allowed to ‘fall on our knees’ when that lyric came up because the support beams under the balcony were too shaky; Practising lifesaving in the indoor swimming pool and Pixie Lamm (Coolidge) ’66 nearly drowning me. She also got me in trouble passing notes in study hall all the time. But we got her back in French class when we threw her loafers on to the roof.
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W H AT H AVE YOU B EEN UP TO S I N C E H EA D’S? Leaving the comfort of our small class of 40 young women at AHS, I set out for the biggest, most co-ed college I could find with a football team — the University of Washington in Seattle. I lived at the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, put on a number of plays/skits for Homecomings, went to a lot of football games to see Sunny Sixkiller as quarterback take the UW Huskies to the Rose Bowl, and graduated in 1970 with a BA in French (thank you Madame Jacobs) and a teaching credential — which was not recognized in California! I went on to Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC to get my J.D. I met my husband Bill Green there and we married during Christmas break 1974. Fun times at GULC included being the Managing Editor of the Law & Policy in International Business law review (Bill was Lead Articles Editor), and performing in three Gilbert and Sullivan productions, starting with “Trial by Jury”. Bill and I then moved into the Emeryville Watergate apartments. I got a job with Chickering & Gregory law firm in San Francisco from 1975–1980, working in corporate law, securities, and public utilities. I blazed the trail on maternity leave policy for San Francisco law
firms — six weeks paid leave. Bill was in the same building initially with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison. I retired when I was pregnant with daughter #2, while Bill went on to continue his outstanding career as General Counsel for Chiron, and later General Counsel for the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, retiring in 2013. By then we had moved to Orinda (1982) and raised four lovely children. Ironically, our house is around the corner from Mary Lou Kilburn’s home in Orinda, which in 1966, we considered the boonies and horse country. We are now looking for a smaller, level house in the same area. I spent a lot of time in volunteer activities: many years with the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay; Hill Branch of Children’s Hospital Oakland (President; Ball Chair 2012); Town & Country Club in San Francisco (President 2007–2011); National Charity League (President); and of course lots of time in support for parents clubs, swim teams, etc. My greatest endeavor, and greatest pride, is raising four wonderful, talented, balanced, happy children, all of whom spent part of their school days at Head-Royce, all graduating. I consider their accomplishments my accomplishments, if only for days driving carpool, hosting cast parties, etc.
LIN D LE Y ’ 96: ballerina, English Lit.; Duke BA 2000 with Certificate in Ballet; PR in NYC; married Bob Devereux in 2006, and has three darling healthy kids ages 8, 6, and 2. J E N N IFE R ’ 99: swimmer, flute, volley-
ball, Neuro; Duke BS 2003; Georgetown MD 2007; pediatrician hospitalist Children’s Hospital Orange County, Chair of Dept. of Medicine; married Steve Lusk in Sept. 2015; baby due October 2016. AM Y ’ 03: dancer, volleyball, swimmer, art history; Johns Hopkins BA 2007, semester in Florence; PR/marketing in Boston. W ILL (AKA B ILLY ) ’ 06: swimmer, volleyball, soccer, physics; Penn BS Engineering 2010; Goldman Sachs; MIT-Sloane MBA 2017.
All seem to be happy and in a good place. Still looking for a few good spouses. In retirement, Bill and I are enjoying longer travels — Burma, India, Kenya, and Cuba. Always France and Italy. And time for reading, enjoying our mountain cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake, and visiting grandchildren. It’s been a good run. Thank you Head’s for the good start.
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
ALUMNI NOTES
SHE RRY WOHL R AB WAL L ACE ’ 6 6 one son, Max (3). We lived in Tiburon, CA for 38 years and downsized to a condo in the Pacheco Valle area of Novato last year. I retired after 40+ years in banking in July 2015. My last position was Vice-President, California Business Banking, Wells Fargo Bank.
AT T ENDED: University of Oregon DAYS AT HEA D’ S : I started Head’s in the 6th Grade and moved to San Francisco after sophomore year. MEM O RA B L E EX PE R I E N C E S AT HEA D’ S : Chapel and Christmas pageants… Country Fair and dances. Still not fond of saddleshoes and grey! WH AT HAV E YO U BE E N U P TO SI N C E HEA D’ S ? I’ve been married for 46 years to Bill Wallace. We have one son Jeff (40) who is married to Marie and they have
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We enjoy travel, especially bareboat chartering in the Caribbean, and look forward to making some more extensive trips in the future. We also enjoy spending time at our condo on the North Shore of Tahoe, and sailing on the SF Bay and the Delta. My best to all the members of the class of ’66; I have very happy memories of our times at AHS… especially the early years on Channing Way.
LY N N BA RT Z SM ITH ’6 6 ATTENDED: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Business Administration USC, Tax Law Western State Law School, Law Degree DAYS AT H EA D’S: Although I only attended Head’s for two years, I will never forget what a good education I received during those two years. I am especially grateful to Ms. Mildred Czock, our English teacher. She taught me how to write essays. This gave me a big advantage for the rest of my educational life, especially in law school, because all of our exams were in essay format. If you could write well you had a good chance of receiving a good grade even if you were a little light on the subject matter.
in my match. I understood why some years later when I found out that the girl I played became a pro golfer on the LPGA tour. Head’s was not as good at teaching golf as writing. And, yes, Cynthia and I did bring a dead opossum to school. WHAT HAVE YO U BEEN UP TO SINCE HEAD’S? I am now retired from a career in public accounting and law. I am still golfing poorly in Palm Springs in the cooler season, and in San Diego in the summer. My husband, Scott, and I will celebrate our 45th anniversary in May. He and I met on our first day of college at Cal Poly S.L.O.
Although I was a newcomer to Head’s, attending only for my junior and senior years, all the girls in the class of 1966 were very kind to me and made me feel welcome. M EM ORA B L E EX PERI ENCES AT H EA D’S: I remember being on the golf team. We played match play against another girl’s school. I was very badly beaten
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IN MEMORIAM 1934
MA RTHA “MU FFY” BA R N ET T YO RK (WALLAC E)
DE BO RAH TO LMA N WHITN EY
LOIS BO O N E WE B BER
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MA RT H A “ M UFFY” B A RNETT YORK (W A LLAC E), of Orinda, CA died peacefully on August 6, 2015 surrounded by her family, just six days short of her 99th birthday. A third-generation Californian, she was born on a family ranch in Ramona, CA on August 12th, 1916, the youngest of four children. The family moved to Berkeley in 1922. She was a graduate of UC Berkeley and moved to Orinda in 1940, where she raised a family and lived in the same house for 75 years. She was an active member of Orinda Garden Club since 1952, and an avid player of tennis and Mahjong. Devoted mother to Wade Wallace, Cebe Wallace, Lorna Wallace McKeown and Cly Wallace, and proud grandmother to Alicia Wallace, Sabrina Shilts and Tegan Wallace, and great-grand mother to Victoria Shilts, Thomas Shilts and Calder Wallace Lindhorst. She is pre-deceased by two husbands, David Wallace and Lyle York. Muffy will be remembered by all as an amazing person with a love of life that was an inspiration to many people. Widely travelled, well read, with an open, active mind, she enjoyed all the people and experiences that came her way. She was an elegant presence but the opposite of pretentious. She played tennis well into her 80s, and gave up driving in July. She
hosted a Mahjong party just one week prior to her passing, where, as a famously shrewd player, she was the top winner of the day. She was the center of gravity for an extended and scattered tribe, some blood relatives and some not, but all embraced as family. People came from great distances every year for her Christmas. A great loss but what a life to celebrate!
1935 DEB ORA H TOL M A N WH I TN EY died March 24, 2016 peacefully in her sleep at her home in St. Paul’s Towers in Oakland. She was 98 years old and mentally sharp until the end. She grew up in Berkeley and went to The Anna Head School, and then to Radcliffe College. She married James Goodrich Whitney in June of 1941, and right away they bought a beautiful bayside lot in Inverness, CA. She and Jim were very active in Berkeley politics. They helped elect the first AfricanAmericans and the first women to the City Council and the School Board. When Jim died at age 49 in 1966, Deborah went to work teaching Basic Education and English as a Second Language at the Berkeley Adult School. Throughout her life she wrote many short stories and
essays. She published a book for young people, House at Valley Falls, based on her great-grandmother, Elizabeth Buffum Chace, who ran a station on the Underground Railroad. Deborah is survived by her three children, Kathleen, Peter and Nicholas; her sister Mary Tolman Kent, ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She has donated her body to the UCSF Medical School. She was a beautiful, intelligent and generous person with a good sense of humor. She was very interested in other people and had many friends and admirers. She cared deeply about the environment. She will be sorely missed.
1940 LO IS BO O NE WEBBER , age 93 of Naperville, IL formerly of Berkeley, CA, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Tabor Hills Skilled Nursing Home of Naperville. She was born on July 12, 1922 in Oakland, CA to her loving late parents, Dr. William and Emma Boone. Lois was the cherished wife of the late Jack H. Webber, wedded for 63 years and beloved mother of Jackie (David) Phinney of Lake Zurich, IL and Valerie (John) Jungjohann. Lois attended the University of California, Berkeley. She was an avid bridge player
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
IN MEMORIAM
and enjoyed reading. Lois loved golfing and was a former member of Cress Creek Country Club. Lois will be fondly remembered as a wonderful cook and loved to entertain family and friends.
HE LE N TU P P ER H I G G I N S
AN N E PARS ON S H I BBI T T
H E LEN TUPPER H I GGI NS went to be with the Lord on June 1st, 2016 at the age of 93 in Gulfport, Mississippi. She was born in Grass Valley, California on July 26, 1922. Her parents were Violet Mary Harris Tupper and Otis Mitchel Tupper Jr. Helen attended The Anna Head School and the University of California at Berkeley graduating with a degree in Dramatic Arts. As an ambitious young woman, Helen boarded a train from California to New York City to pursue her passion of acting. After spending all of her weekends performing in summer stock theatre productions she decided to join the USO performing for members of the Armed Forces Services. At the end of WWII, she returned to the US where she met the love of her life, Henry Higgins. They were married in 1945 and settled in the San Francisco Bay Area where she remained for more than 50 years. Helen began her working career in retail sales in Oakland, California but soon found her niche working for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals where she retired 36 years later. She promoted quickly and retired as the
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Administrative Assistant to the Physician in Chief of Kaiser Hospital Martinez, California. Grandma Helen, as she was known by her 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, had two sons, Peter Mitchell Higgins of Diamondhead, Mississippi; and, Richard Trevor Higgins of Yucaipa, California. She would never miss an opportunity to say how profoundly proud she was of her sons and their accomplishments. Peter, his wife Barbara and Richard, his wife Tricia will forever miss the wonderful stories she would share along with the memories of their father.
1944 A NNE PA RSONS H I B B ITT, 89, passed away on January 10, 2016, from pneumonia. She was born September 1, 1926, in Sacramento and grew up in Clarksburg at Willow Point Ranch. She was predeceased in death by her parents Alfred and Dorothy Parsons and sister Polly Parsons Spring and is survived by her brother Issac Parsons and sister Dorothy Parsons Ewing. Early memories for Anne on the ranch included laying on a bench in the warm sun having a tuna fish sandwich and listening to the melodious song of the red-winged blackbirds, having birthday parties on an asparagus cart and riding her horse Chico to school. Anne attended Clarksburg High School, The Anna Head
School in Berkeley and attended the University of Oregon. Her daring spirit led her to fly with Pan Am as a stewardess in the early years of flying to exciting locations in the South Pacific and was on the last plane out of Shanghai before it was taken over by the Communists. At the end of August 1949, in the gardens of the ranch, she was married to WIlliam Euart Hibbitt of Sacramento in a flash summer storm. They had three children: Bill, Jeff and Amy. Anne was an avid golfer and tennis player and had a gorgeous backhand. She was a member of Del Paso Country Club, the Children’s Receiving Home and the Sacramento Junior League. She and Bill loved to travel and their family would spend summers at Bolinas and Lake Tahoe’s West Shore. A special thank you to Dee Aponte and the staff at the Chateau at River’s Edge, Anne’s last home. She loved living there where she joined in lots of activities and could interact, perhaps debate, with fellow residents and where she received the best medical care. All will remember Anne’s loving, youthful and joyous spirit and she will be sorely missed. She is survived by Bill (Annette) and daughters KristiAnn/ Jeff Hogsett (son Colton) and Ashley/ Tony Fritsche (son Nathan and daughter Sayley), Jeff (Sue), son Kristopher and daughter Jasmine, and Amy (cat Shadow).
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1947
VIRGIN IA AN N TRAY N E R WIEST
SYLVIA KRAMER SIN GE R-HE DLUN D
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V I R G I N I A A NN TRAYNER WI EST passed away on March 17, 2016, the day after her 87th birthday, in the compassionate care of Sutter Lakeside Hospital staff and surrounded by her loving family. She suffered a fall in her home where she had lived very privately over the past several years following a series of health setbacks and illnesses. Known as Ginny to friends and family, she was very vivacious and adventurous, and quite wild at times. She was born in Oakland, California, to parents, Marian Ehmann and Gerald Brook Trayner, and grew up in Piedmont. As a girl, she enjoyed playing in golf tournaments at Claremont Country Club and horseback riding with her father in the Oakland hills. Virginia was an heiress to the Ehmann Olive Company, which was founded by her great-grandmother, Freda Ehmann in Oroville, California. She attended and graduated from The Anna Head School for Girls in Berkeley and then went on to Cal Berkeley where she was in Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She married her college sweetheart, John M. Grubb, and settled in Piedmont. Children Catherine Rose, John Grubb and Marianne Grubb were born there. They shared a great many vacations with their mom to beautiful places including Pebble Beach, Lake Tahoe and Oahu. She loved fast cars, and at one time she had a two seater Lotus
Elite while pregnant along with her three young kids in tote. Virginia remarried, moved out to Lafayette and had a son, Tony Wiest. It was a short marriage, and in 1968, she married again, this time to a childhood friend, John Wiest, becoming stepmother to his two children, Jessica and Jack Wiest. After John’s death, and then her mother’s, she moved to Lakeport in 1992 to be closer to family and grandsons. Virginia always kept a lovely garden and was very talented in needlework and interior decorating. She loved watching her sons and grandsons play sports, and her swimming pool was always a popular place. Everyone who knew her can still picture her by a pool, with a cup of coffee, listening to a Giants game, and surrounded by a sun-bronzed gaggle of kids with chlorine-bleached hair. Virginia leaves behind her children, Catherine (David), John (Jill), Marianne, and Tony (Jennifer); grandsons, Franklin Ley, John Grubb, Casey Grubb, Colton Grubb, Trevor Wiest, Brett Wiest, and Danny Stueven; and granddaughter, Jerrica Stueven. She also has five wonderful great-grandsons, Logan, Johnny, Jeremiah, Brookes and Morgan. Virginia is also survived by her sister, Barbara Maxfield, of Calistoga.
1951 SY LVIA KRAMER SING ER- HEDLUND of Danville, CA passed away on May 22, 2016. She was born in Cambridge, MA on November 26, 1933. Sylvia was an ordained deacon and worked at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church for many years. A memorial service for Sylvia was held on June 8 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Danville.
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
A DREAM REALIZED Jeff Key dreamed of bringing Oakland public school students the same media arts opportunities his students at Head-Royce enjoyed. As he approached retirement from Head-Royce in 2010, after 35 years of teaching at the school, he began working toward realizing his dream. Hard work and serendipity were both involved. KDOL-TV, the Oakland Unified School District Education Access TV station, was available, local collaborators joined in, and Jeff did not pause to take a breath: Media Enterprise Alliance (MEA), with Jeff as Executive Director, was established in 2009 and the full MEA program launched in September 2010 (www/meaoakland.org). MEA at KDOL-TV is an after-school program for students from ten different OUSD high schools. There are now also satellite programs at Fremont, Met West, Coliseum College Prep Academy, and Oakland International High School. All OUSD students may apply for the program and it is free of charge. Students in the program spend three hours a day after school, two days a week. To do this, some of them also spend as much as an hour each way to get to the site at La Esquilita bilingual school/KDOL-TV Studio by bus.
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By Dr. Nancy Knop
These students are learning much more than media tech. There are courses in journalism, civic engagement, health education, and workforce development. They learn leadership, team-building, interviewing skills, money management, and knowledge of public policy. Students earn OUSD academic credit as well as college credit for the courses they complete. Once skills are mastered, MEA students collaborate in small teams to create two- to five-minute documentaries and informational videos. They produce TV programs at KDOL like ONews (www.onews.me), a website and monthly TV news magazine “FOR, BY and ABOUT” Oakland youth, and Muse Video (www.musevideo.net), that tells the news through music. The MEA students also produce a civic engagement show, Youth Focus, a town-hall forum that brings in policymakers to have a dialogue with youth about issues affecting their lives. MEA productions have won quite a few awards. MEA students won an honorable mention from the 2015 White House Film Festival for their film about equality for women, We Will Persist (http://youtube.be/ ay9VbiW792k). The National Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences has awarded three Regional “student emmys” to MEA films. Another team won a National Award from PBS and Adobe for a documentary they produced about underage sex trafficking in Oakland. Jeff Key and Lal Thappa, an immigrant from Bhutan who worked on the film, went to Washington DC to accept that award from Gwen Ifill at PBS. MEA is also a Student Reporting Lab for the PBS NewsHour. An MEA documentary
about Measure AA, a Bay Area regional parcel tax for wetland restoration, was featured on the PBS NewsHour the week before the June election. (Measure AA passed with 69% of the vote.) MEA’s OWorks teams can be hired to produce informational videos for local nonprofits, and when they are, students earn $15/hour working on the videos. Half of MEA’s students have been involved in this enterprise, and it is greatly satisfying
Jeff with alum Simon Robertson ‘01 instructing a student on the use of virtual reality technology.
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to Jeff that MEA has been able to offer “paid internships” to so many Oakland youth. One hundred percent of the students from low-income Oakland high schools who are enrolled in the MEA program graduate from high school and ninety-five percent go on to college. In addition to academic development, the program builds practical experience toward related careers. Several students have gone on to work in the film industry. Others return to work as Teaching Assistants at MEA. Jeff Key worked to assemble and continues to work to maintain the powerful
team that makes MEA possible: The Oakland Unified School District, interns from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and the Haas Business School at UC Berkeley are all partners in the Alliance. Jeff oversees academics and project management, including school partnerships and accreditation. He manages the staff and curriculum, maintains internships, and coordinates university/ corporate partnerships. He is also active in fund development for the program. Many in the Head-Royce community — HRS families, current and retired faculty and administrators, and former
students — actively support the MEA program by volunteering time, talking to MEA classes about career choices, and contributing money. Current and past faculty and staff who have been involved include Barry and Dawn Barankin, Paul Chapman, Luzanne Eng, Jim Graham, Jason Hassard, Barney and Jo Howard, Amy Kaplan, Nancy Knop, Chris Laddish, Ray Louie, Betsy Ringrose ’85, Paul Scott, Linda Twichell, Jane VanderVeer, and Bob Wells. Head-Royce alumni who have been involved with MEA in a variety of ways include David Beck ’98, Dania Cabello ’02, Bobby Fahey ’08, Max Gibson ’05, Jabari
Former Faculty and Staff Return to Campus A team of former faculty and staff members volunteered their time and energy this past year to form a task force dedicated to creating ways that they and their peers could actively engage with the school in their retirement. In addition to helping locate former faculty and staff that the school had lost touch with, they devised a list of events and volunteer opportunities that the group might want to participate in.
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Left to right: Task Force Members Nancy Knop, Anna-Marie Nilsson, Jeff Key, Judy Kennedy, Cathy Epstein, and Luzanne Engh. Missing: Barney and Jo Howard.
Gray ’93, Kai Hasson ’02, Nate Houghteling ’02, Rajiv Majabir-Smith ’04, Trevor Parham ’01, and Aaron Sokol ’00. Simon Robertson ’01, founder and lead virtual reality developer at kindVR, came to MEA to teach students about VR and its applications for medical uses. This has definitely not been retirement for Jeff — but it is living a dream! Jeff reports that his greatest satisfaction is “seeing the MEA students grow and become self-confident young adults while teaching them how to think critically, work as a team, assume leadership roles, and become productive members of their community.” The success of the MEA program in sending students on to college and meaningful careers is gratifying. When asked about his next dream, Jeff responded, “My next dream is to go back to my studio and finish a number of art and writing projects that I left on the table as I established and grew MEA. I will remain on the board of MEA and keep working to improve the lives of underserved Oakland youth.”
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