1926 Winter 2022 by La Jolla Country Day School

1926 L A J O L L A C O U N T RY DAY S C H O O L M AG A Z I N E

W I N T E R 202 2

2020–2021

Report on Giving I N C LU D E D I N S I D E

1926

EVE SOCOL ’24 NOSTALGIA DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS

One of the fondest childhood memories I hold closest to my heart is from spending time at Fallen Leaf Lake, near Lake Tahoe. Since I was little, I attended camp there and spent time with friends from San Francisco, New York and Virginia. It was a second home to me, where I got to live in a new reality of peace and simplicity. Every year, we reminisce about the past, whether it’s about the campfires or boat rides. This photo captures the natural beauty of the camp and is a symbol of my precious time there and the memories with my friends.

Winter 2022

A Word from the Head of School

—

Campus Facilities Master Plan—in Progress

“ Wherever you go in the world, you always have a place at LJCDS.”

As I write, students are strolling by my window along Torrey Walk, moving between classes. The air is crisp, and the students are energetic and joyful. By inducing warmth, safety and opportunity, the physical spaces around our campus profoundly influence student behaviors, well-being and learning experiences. It’s an exciting time for LJCDS. We have the rare opportunity to reenvision the campus as we prepare for our centennial celebration in 2026—to dream about the future and see glimpses of those dreams become a reality. LJCDS honors both the past and the future, and we look with pride and confidence in both directions. As we approach our 100-year celebration, we are diligently and collaboratively working on a campus facilities master plan to empower student success for future generations. Our master planning work is spearheaded by the board of trustees. They have been conferring with faculty, students, parents, administrators and staff, and are guided by Architectural Resources Cambridge (ARC), a nationally recognized architectural planning and design firm. EMERGING IDEAS

• • •

Relocate school entrance; use underground or structural parking Enhance warmth and cohesion on campus Support outdoor gatherings and learning spaces, and utilize healthy materials, i.e., healthy buildings

THE MASTER PLAN

• • •

Make improvements that advance our mission and enhance our traditions Provide students with world-class learning environments Revitalize the connections among students and educators

OUR FOCUS

• • • • • •

Academic space Student life and auxiliary spaces Athletics and recreation space Visual and performing arts space Land use, landscape and ecology Community connections

The results will consist of thoughtful, tangible measures to enhance our campus—now and in the future. It is designed to provide a directional road map for long-term planning and facility needs at LJCDS for the next 30 years. The plan will have both near-term improvements and long-term additions as funding becomes available. Just as campus needs, issues and influences are ever-changing, LJCDS’ Master Plan will be adaptable and a work in progress. We look forward to presenting this plan to the community in the near future and seeing you on campus soon. Wherever you go in the world, you always have a place at LJCDS.

Gary Krahn, Ph.D. Head of School

1926

On the Cover: Photography by Stephen Gosling

JESSICA WILSON-JONES ’10

FEATURE 28

Discovering Her Power

Jessica Wilson-Jones ’10 finds inspiration, hope and courage to lead a purposeful life.

REPORT ON GIVING 202 0 –20 2 1

Taking Care of the Ocean

Jocelyn Lin Drugan ’98 is sustaining a healthy community on land and under the sea.

IN EVERY ISSUE 02 A Word from the

26 Overheard Notable quotes

04 Social @LJCDS

42 Milestones Alumni celebrations

Head of School

On Genesee Ave…

Campus news and notes

18 …and Beyond Trending in alumni news

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Tiffany Truong Associate Editors Rachel Baxter Jennifer Fogarty Editorial Support Joanne Bradley Katie Sigeti ’06 Creative direction Verso Design Onward Upward

Photography Jonny Armstrong Rachel Baxter Marci Clark Conservation International Joseph Eastburn FIBA.basketball Stephen Gosling Sandy Huffaker Chris Lee Ocean Outcomes Taylor Pence/US Equestrian Christian Petersen/Getty Images Jamie Sabau/Getty Images Denis Semenov Tiffany Truong

A Letter from Leadership

Celebrating 95 Years of Giving 50 Financial Highlights 52 Greatest Need 56 Blue Bash Giving 60 Tuition Assistance 62 Alumni Giving 64 Programmatic Giving 66 Our Donors 78 Volunteers 80 Ways to Give 48

44 1926 Looking back at our history 46

My Inspiration

1926 is published once a year by the La Jolla Country Day School marketing and communications department. If you’re reading this online and wish to receive a copy or if you prefer to opt out of receiving a mailed magazine, please contact communications@ljcds.org. Magazine correspondence/editorial queries: communications@ljcds.org Alumni correspondence/change of address: ksigeti@ljcds.org Follow us on social media: IG: /LaJollaCountryDay FB: /LaJollaCountryDay TW: /LJCDS Vimeo: /LaJollaCountryDay

Winter 2022

Social @LJCDS INSTAGRAM

FOLLOW LJCDS

1926

/LaJollaCountryDay

� /LaJollaCountryDay � /LJCDS

/LaJollaCountryDay

FAC E B OOK & TW I T T E R

Torreys in Environmental Systems and Arts and Culture spent their day at the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla. Students viewed the “Build That Park!” exhibition and created drawings to reflect on the art and culture in the library. 

Torreys in marine biology with Mr. Uyeda spent the afternoon at La Jolla Shores collecting data on the abundance and distribution of sand crabs. This project is connected to the NOAA LiMPETS program. 

POSTED ON AUGUST 6, 2021

POSTED ON OCTOBER 8, 2021 6

POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 4 2

The classes of 2023 and 2024 kicked off the school year with various service projects around San Diego. Thank you, Frosted Faces Foundation, County of San Diego Parks and Recreation, Balboa Park, Words Alive, Youth Assistance Coalition San Diego and Feeding San Diego for having us! 

Fourth-grade leaders are working hard to create a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging at LJCDS. #leadingwithdignity 

Students across campus participated in Citizenship Day. We heard from keynote speaker Baratunde Thurston, engaged in small groups to discuss what it means to be a citizen and the importance of voting, listened to a panel of community leaders, and participated in service-learning projects. 

Dig for the Cure was a huge success with a 3–0 win and $1,386 raised for @KomenSanDiego! A special thank you to the volleyball team for decorating campus and Emily French ’24 for organizing the event.  POSTED ON AUGUST 6, 2021

POSTED ON NOVEMBER 15, 2021

POSTED ON AUGUST 25, 2021

Winter 2022

On Genesee Ave

…

ATHLETICS

Undefeated Lacrosse Champions The bond between sisters is one that can never be broken, and that rings true for the varsity women’s lacrosse team. Their sisterhood was the catalyst that helped them secure La Jolla Country Day School’s first-ever California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) lacrosse championship.

“W

e have a great support system, and our families are a big part of that,” says Christa DeMovellan, head women’s lacrosse coach. “We call ourselves a sisterhood for a reason. We believe in each other, and it comes out big in games like this.” When they were given the green light to play after a 15-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team was ready to shine. Win after win led them to an undefeated season, including the program’s first win over The Bishop’s School, which gave them the confidence and motivation to become a championship contender. “That was exciting. We could tell at that point we knew we were going far,” shares Jenna Hernandez ’21. For nine of the seniors on the team, this championship has been in the works since they started playing together in Middle School. After taking the team to the playoffs two seasons ago, they were ready to claim a championship and their legacy. In the CIF San Diego Section lacrosse championship game against Carlsbad High School, they captured a thrilling 16–5 win. Leilah Tashakorian ’21 reflected on their season: “When the pandemic hit, it broke our hearts, but we got our chance this year to play. It was great to get a chance to face Carlsbad again, this time for a championship.” The 2020–2021 varsity women’s lacrosse team will go down in La Jolla Country Day School’s history as the team that went all the way (during a pandemic!). They will be remembered as the history makers who put the Torreys’ lacrosse program on the map. —RACHEL BAXTER 06

1926

“We call ourselves a sisterhood for a reason. We believe in each other, and it comes out big in games like this.”

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

Uzbek Delegation at LJCDS

n fall 2021, a delegation of business leaders from Uzbekistan visited the La Jolla Country Day School campus as part of their U.S. tour. Stops included San Diego, Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas. Twenty-four fellows from the Uzbekistan Business Leaders Program met with LJCDS educators and students in the Design and Innovation program to learn more about developing programming and curriculum around engineering, entrepreneurship and computer science. The Uzbekistan Business Leaders Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and administered by the American Councils for International Education. It is one of several professional exchange programs funded by the U.S. Embassy Tashkent, designed to increase the mutual understanding between people of the United States and Uzbekistan. While in the United States, fellows met with industry experts, developed sales pitches, and explored start-up communities. The group’s five-day San Diego visit was hosted by the San Diego Diplomacy Council, whose mission is to create professional, cultural and educational experiences that connect people and organizations, driving positive changes in themselves, their communities and the world. —JENNIFER FOGARTY

Winter 2022

On Genesee Ave

…

CO-CURRICULARS

Charting Your Own Course Upper School students have an opportunity to be self-starters, explore their current interests, and open their minds to new experiences during Flex Time. Whereas a club might casually meet during lunch, Flex Time, also known as Flex, is held during designated periods built into the seven-day rotating schedule. The goal is to encourage engagement in a thoughtful, intellectual exploration of themes and practices that do not fit within the traditional curriculum.

1926

Flex supports student-directed learning. Any community member may create activities they wish to pursue and leverage the expertise of mentors from campus and beyond. Students are empowered and encouraged to chart their own course. “A La Jolla Country Day School education is not one-size-fits-all,” explains Assistant Head of Upper School for Student Life and Faculty Enrichment Rachel Clouser. “We want students to have a broad knowledge base that will serve as a foundation for future life and learning experiences, and which will introduce them to activities they may not have been exposed to until college, or maybe not at all. This gives them the ability to make choices that align with their interests and their dreams for the future.”

With more than 30 options to choose from, students can join the school newspaper, mock trial, debate or yearbook—or explore coding, ethics, economics, costume designing, community service, mental health, global issues, even magic tricks. “I think Flex Time is an opportunity for students to reflect on themselves, explore a curiosity outside of the textbook/class, and grow this curiosity to something really meaningful,” shares Torrey Startup Flex Time Founder and President Eric Yang ’23. “A lot of students may have a full study schedule at school and a sports schedule outside of school. A time slot to chat with friends about a common interest or to try something new can create a spark and a moment they may never forget.” —JENNIFER FOGARTY

ACCOLADE

BAK’D Apple Award Winner La Jolla Country Day School bestowed the 2021 BAK’D Apple Award on Jonathan Shulman, director of the Center for Excellence in Citizenship and Upper School history educator.

“I think Flex Time is an opportunity for students to reflect on themselves, explore a curiosity outside of the textbook/ class, and grow this curiosity to something really meaningful.”

he Rubenson family established the bak’d Apple Award in 1997 to honor a faculty or staff member who makes special contributions to students’ personal growth and extends themself on a personal level to be a friend and mentor to students. Shulman’s footprints span campus, from the Early Childhood Center to the Upper School. Whether he’s forging a partnership with the San Diego Diplomacy Council, engaging students as speakers for the Voice of San Diego’s Politifest, or planning the schoolwide Citizenship Day, Shulman is known for seeking opportunities to connect LJCDS to the world and the world to LJCDS. For more than 15 years, his passion for history and government has inspired and empowered countless LJCDS students to engage in the vital work of local, national and global citizenship. “When I was starting out as a teacher at Country Day, I had the privilege of observing a class that Jonathan taught,” recalls Dan Norland, Upper School history and social science educator. “As class was winding down, the student sitting next to me turned to me and said, ‘My brain is overflowing right now.’ In the decade since, I’ve seen countless ways in which Jonathan fills his students’ and colleagues’ minds to the brim, and then—with his unique mix of enthusiasm, panache and wide-eyed wonder at the world—helps expand them just a bit further.” Shulman is also the head teacher-coach of the award-winning Torrey Mock Trial team and co-chair of the Torrey Model United Nations team—two programs often recognized for their transformational impact on students. “Being a member of Torrey Model United Nations taught me how to be a better global citizen and also really lent a hand to me being interested in the political field. Shulman taught me how one of the best things we can do as global citizens is to be educated,” says Lauren Ziment ’20. With an unrelenting work ethic and an unwavering commitment to furthering the mission of the school, Shulman finds no role or task too small or too big. “He is always one of the first to volunteer to cover a class, fill in at morning duty, welcome guests at Blue Bash, or do whatever else is needed to help a colleague,” shares Upper School Head Tom Trocano. “Simply put, he is omnipresent in the life of the school.” BAK’D is a combination of the first letters of each member of the Rubenson family (Ben ’95, Aaron ’92, Kathie and David), and apple refers to the apple orchard at their home in Julian, California, where they have invited faculty over the years to join them to harvest apples.

“I’ve seen countless ways in which Jonathan fills his students’ and colleagues’ minds to the brim, and then—with his unique mix of enthusiasm, panache and wide-eyed wonder at the world— helps expand them just a bit further.”

—TIFFANY TRUONG

Winter 2022

On Genesee Ave

…

PERSPECTIVE

The Value of Hard Work In mid-June 1992, I boarded a three-and-a-half-hour flight from Seattle to King Salmon, Alaska. While I had dreamed of flyfishing for king salmon in Alaska for many years, this trip was not a summer vacation. Nevertheless, it was a summer adventure.

pon landing, I, along with roughly 40 other passengers, boarded a bus to Naknek, a small fishing village along Bristol Bay. During the long and winding 45-minute drive, I began to question my decision to embark on this voyage. Was I up for the challenge? What if I failed? While nervous as could be, I stepped off the bus at our final destination: a salmon cannery owned by the Nelbro Packing Company. I grew up in St. Helens, Oregon, a small blue-collar town where the most common path for high school graduates was to gain employment at one of the local mills—Boise Cascade, Crown Zellerbach or Longview Fibre. Hard work, grit and sacrifice were not just words; they were a way of life. The adage “success is in the struggle” rang true in my hometown. Most of Columbia County’s residents experienced success through the blood, sweat and tears of their mill jobs.

Brian Murphy Director of Financial Assistance and Enrollment Management 10

1926

I come from a long line of proud bluecollar workers. My maternal grandfather, George Carlson, was a longshoreman who worked the ports along the Columbia River. My paternal grandfather, George Murphy, was the owner of a dairy ranch in Arlington, Washington. In 1900, he led 15 head of beef from Stillaguamish Valley, Washington, to Skagway, Alaska, on the first train over the White Pass railroad. However, it was my father, Mike Murphy, who truly taught me the value of hard work and instilled the work ethic that I have today. My dad was the first person in his family to graduate from college. He then applied his business degree from the University of Washington to his roots as a mill worker to manage a cedar sawmill in Longview, Washington. When I was 10 years old, my dad made it abundantly clear that my path out of St. Helens included getting a college degree. The frequent college conversations ended with, “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.” A classic Mike Murphy line. While earning a college degree was his top priority for me, experiencing and understanding the value of hard work was a close second. As a result, I had to balance my love of playing basketball and baseball with summer jobs. I spent my summers in middle school picking strawberries for Luttrell’s Strawberry Farms (in the spirit of transpar-

ency, I ate and threw as many strawberries as I actually picked) and bucking hay bales for Von and Liz Smith. (Let’s just say bucking hay bales while having chronic hay fever was less than ideal.) After turning 17, I spent my summers working swing shifts on the green chain at my dad’s mill. The work was relentless, but it taught me the importance of pulling my own weight. The crew didn’t care that I was 17 or that I was the son of one of the managers. To earn their respect, I had to prove I was willing and able to do my share of the work. After a few weeks of proving my stamina and commitment, I knew I had earned their respect when they stopped referring to me as “Hey, you” and started calling me “Murph.” At this moment, I began to understand that respect is earned. When I entered college, my parents made significant sacrifices to make it financially possible, so I felt compelled to contribute to my own cause. During winter vacations and spring break, I continued to work at my dad’s mill. In the summer, I also started to explore various opportunities that would allow me to earn even more money. In March 1992, I bumped into one of my childhood friends, Mike H., who at the time spent his summers working as a foreman in a salmon cannery in Alaska. When I expressed interest in the opportunity,

“I had never felt more supported as part of a team. We showed up each day not just for ourselves but to help pick up the slack when the physical and emotional demands caught up to one of our fellow crew members. To this day, I am amazed by how a complete group of strangers created such a close bond in such a short amount of time.”

he responded, “Are you sure? This is real work, and I’m not sure you can handle it.” After some arm-twisting, it was settled; I would join his crew and spend the summer working in Alaska. The Nelbro Packing Company paid for our flight to Alaska and room and board. And as long as we didn’t quit or get fired, they would pay for our return flight home. Assigned to the warehouse crew, I was responsible for sorting, packaging and loading the finished product of the cannery: freshly canned salmon. I found myself surrounded by the hardest-working individuals I had ever met—school teachers, bus drivers and other individuals from Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, Washington and Idaho, who chose to spend their summer vacation working. I also worked alongside the indigenous people of Alaska, the Yupik and Eyak. The salmon run typically began during

the third week of June and lasted approximately five to eight weeks. On the surface, the pay was not great, at just over $8 per hour; however, overtime kicked in once we eclipsed 40 hours per week. It didn’t take long for me to realize the significance of overtime. Before the salmon season started, we worked 12 to 16 hours a day to prep the warehouse, loading area and docks. Once the salmon hit, days and weeks became a blur. Workdays began at 5 a.m., and the warehouse closed between 11 p.m. and midnight. During the next seven weeks, I spent my days and nights loading packaged salmon onto trucks and loading 40- to 50-pound salmon onto conveyor belts in the deep, dark hulls of the fishing boats. Admittedly, the long hours took a mental, physical and emotional toll on everyone. However, up until that point in life, I had never felt more supported as part of a team. We showed up each day not

just for ourselves but to help pick up the slack when the physical and emotional demands caught up to one of our fellow crew members. To this day, I am amazed by how a complete group of strangers created such a close bond in such a short amount of time. Perhaps it was our collective commitment to “putting in the work” that was the common thread that allowed us to become so close. In late July, the salmon season officially came to an end. As I boarded the bus that was scheduled to deliver us back to King Salmon airport, the big boss handed me my payroll check for the summer and said, “Thanks for not quitting or getting fired, and I will see you next summer.” No chance, I thought to myself! Well, the following June I found myself taking the same journey back to Naknek. I certainly wasn’t excited to jump back into the 18-hour days, but I could not wait to reconnect with the crew. —BRIAN MURPHY

Winter 2022

On Genesee Ave

… What is your most memorable career highlight? In my previous role, I co-launched a virtual program called CARE Talks for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) staff and faculty focusing on race, gender and healthy relationships. A program like this had been my dream since I began working in violence prevention. I knew that we needed to create spaces for faculty and staff to feel comfortable discussing their identities and relationships. One of the last programs I facilitated was a discussion on raising BIPOC children and creating a culture of consent. So many of the staff and faculty shared that they had never experienced a space like that before. It was fulfilling to support our community during a difficult moment in time. What is your philosophy on leadership? My leadership style has always been informed by my lived experiences as a mixed-race, first-generation college student: • Be supportive but maintain high expectations. • Collaborate and build consensus. • Respect the existing knowledge of the group. • Invest in relationships to learn what each person’s unique background brings to the table.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION

Meet the First Director of Diversity Jessica Heredia is LJCDS’ first-ever director of diversity, equity and culture. Heredia has spent the past 13 years at the University of California, San Diego’s Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) at the Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC). She has served as the assistant director for the past 10 years and was most recently the interim director. CARE at SARC provides comprehensive prevention education and training for students, staff and faculty. Previously, Heredia was an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Women’s Studies at San Diego State University. 12

1926

What role have mentors played in your life? I have had mentors at various stages of my life. When I think about mentors in education, there are two. Both mentors were the first in their families to attend college, and they came from backgrounds that I could identify with. It sounds cliché, but representation matters for exactly this reason. I didn’t know what was possible until I saw it. The first is my high school AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination) teacher. Without her, I would not have attended college or pursued a career in education. She made me want to help young people achieve their goals. I still keep in touch with her today. The second is my faculty advisor from graduate school. She showed me how to approach social justice work holistically. This mentor helped me question what knowledge is and who creates it. What keeps you up at night? One question: Are we doing enough for the next generation? Most of the time, I feel like we aren’t. This is why I am so dedicated to working in education. What is your year one vision? In my first year, I will be learning, observing and thinking. I need to understand the rhythm of the school—that means being out

“There has to be a significant amount of groundwork laid to build trust and respect so that people feel safe to disagree. It sounds simple, but I think people are having a hard time listening to one another. Each individual’s point of view is so personal because it’s often informed by lived experiences—that’s what makes it challenging when we disagree.” in the community, seeing people in action and meeting with students. I will be observing existing programs and initiatives to see how we can sustain, strengthen and/or revise them to support broader DEI goals. Lastly, I will be thinking about the next three to five years and laying a foundation for this work to become part of the fabric of our school. Strategic thinking and planning are where I’ll be focusing much of my time this year.

Don’t get me wrong, celebrations and community-building are a critical part of this work, but we must also prioritize systemic change—that means working at an institutional level. We have amazing students, faculty and staff who have been leading this work for many years. My role is to institutionalize those efforts to ensure that the work is sustained, supported and resourced for future generations of Torreys.

Why Pre-K–12 education? I loved higher education and never thought I would leave it, but in the back of my mind, there was this nagging question: “Shouldn’t we be starting this work before students get to college?” I was craving an environment where I could see the impact more directly in the lives of students and educators. My conversations with my own children, ages 10 and 13, around equity, justice and civil rights have been some of the most fulfilling. Young thinkers are very capable of understanding these issues. They can also teach us basic lessons about listening, questioning and evolving. My hope is that students go out into the world feeling empowered to create a more just, equitable and inclusive world.

How do you encourage respectful dialogue among those with diverging points of view? There has to be a significant amount of groundwork laid to build trust and respect so that people feel safe to disagree. It sounds simple, but I think people are having a hard time listening to one another. Each individual’s point of view is so personal because it’s often informed by lived experiences—that’s what makes it challenging when we disagree. I do not have a perfect answer, but I do know that we have to keep trying. In addition to trust and respect, we need to be clear that denying a person’s identity is not a difference of opinion. This is dehumanizing and does not support an environment where everyone can freely express their views. When someone’s viewpoint is coming from a place of denying your existence, then we have an entirely different issue.

What are some common misconceptions about your position at LJCDS? Twenty years ago, when people heard the word diversity in educational settings, the immediate understanding was special one-time multicultural events, books and class lessons that would highlight marginalized voices. Meaningful DEI work requires us to look at systems. For example, instead of having one day dedicated to talking about women in STEM, we move toward an understanding and an approach that women have always been part of STEM, so let’s find them, their voices, and teach that as the standard.

AC C O L ADE S LJCDS was named #1 in K–12 Private Schools in San Diego and #2 in Private High Schools in San Diego on Niche.

LJCDS earned first place for Best Private School and Best Preschool in the 2021 Best of La Jolla Reader’s Poll.

1926, LJCDS’ magazine, earned gold in the 2021 CASE District VII Awards and silver in the 2021 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards for independent school magazines.

What does DEI progress look like for our community? Meaningful DEI progress looks like clarity in our goals, purpose and message. It means that everyone in our community has a shared understanding of what it means to be a diverse, equitable and inclusive school, and that we all have a part to play in creating and sustaining it. —TIFFANY TRUONG

Winter 2022

On Genesee Ave

…

RETIREMENT

Leaving a Lasting Impact With a combined 147 years of service with LJCDS, five educators retired at the end of the 2020– 2021 academic year. Margi Bingham, Pamela Madigan, Susan Middleton, Martha Migdal and Glenda Poliner have left an indelible mark on their colleagues and thousands of students and their families. Their dedication and service to generations of Torreys leave a lasting impact.

Margi Bingham Grade 1 Educator 34 years Margi Bingham could write a book about her adventures before becoming a teacher, her third career. In an era when women were expected to either be a teacher, nurse or housewife, she was determined to be anything but. After attending Stanford University and spending time abroad, she completed her undergraduate degree at American University in Washington, D.C., majoring in international relations and French. She stayed in D.C., where she worked for a congressman as a legislative analyst and was involved in the drafting of the first seatbelt law and the Freedom of Information Act. Bingham was even called in on a Sunday morning to help write a Bill of Impeachment for President Nixon, who was a Navy friend of her father’s. Bingham went on to become a paralegal. Subsequently, while teaching Sunday school, she realized she had a talent for teaching and working with children. Her strong sense of adventure spilled into the classroom when, after a trip to Africa, she chose that year’s classroom theme, “Explorers,” complete with safari hats and the students’ stuffed animals for the class picture. Adventures in learning was a popular theme in her classroom. Bingham’s initial connection with LJCDS was as a parent when her daughter, Leigh, entered preschool and later graduated in 1997. “Instead of feeling intimidated or overwhelmed by the prospect of education,” shares former student Olivia Lenz ’09, D.V.M., “I am unrelentingly excited about everything I want to know. Mrs. Bingham was part of the team that taught me how joyful learning could be, which is a mindset I still apply to the learning I do every day as a veterinary scientist.” “We’re lifelong learners at Country Day,” explains Bingham. “The teachers and the students. I’m always learning. I thought about retiring earlier, but I had to come back in 2020-2021 and prove to myself that I could be a Country Day–level teacher during the pandemic, learning how to teach online using Google Classroom and Zoom. I have mastered those challenges this year, which gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. I want to leave Country Day having been the best teacher I can be.”

1926

“We’re lifelong learners at Country Day, the teachers and the students. I’m always learning. I thought about retiring earlier, but I had to come back in 2020-2021 and prove to myself that I could be a Country Day–level teacher during the pandemic.”

Pamela Madigan Middle School Math Educator, Grade 8 27 years

Math gets a bad rap. For some students, it is a class just to get through. Pam Madigan understands and accepts that not everyone likes math. Her goal is to help students feel more confident about doing math and enjoy it more than when they started her class. Knowing that every student learns differently, Madigan encourages students to obtain answers in any way that makes the most sense to them. “As an educator, no matter what you teach in middle school,” shares Madigan, “you get to be that person that could possibly help shape a child by giving them the support that they need. I like to think of it like, yes, I teach math, but more important, I give them the tools and the guidance they need to be the best versions of themselves.” Born and raised in New York, Madigan is a first-generation American. Her father was born in Russia and, along with her grandparents, survived the Holocaust. After arriving in Southern California 30 years ago, she was a summer school teacher at LJCDS before joining the Middle School to teach math and science in fifth and sixth grades. After

spending two years teaching in Boston, she returned to the Middle School team teaching all levels of seventh-grade math and eventually eighth-grade math. Madigan was also a role model for the “Facing History and Ourselves” programs, where she helped guide students to become thoughtful young adults and responsible, caring citizens. In 2017, Madigan was recognized as Educator of the Year by the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club for her outstanding leadership, inspiration, mastery of teaching and the impact she made on the academic and personal growth of her students. “Mrs. Madigan always made the classroom feel like a safe and welcoming space where I could be myself and relax,” shares Stella Stompoly ’23. “The impact she had on my life is everlasting, and I will always be grateful.” Following in her mom’s footsteps, Madigan’s daughter, Morgan, is now teaching kindergarten. In retirement, Madigan plans on volunteering in her daughter’s classroom and in classrooms for underprivileged students.

Susan Middleton Lower School Librarian 36 years

“This is the best book ever!” is one of Susan Middleton’s favorite exclamations from students. Even at a young age, Middleton knew she wanted to be a librarian and has spent half of her life instilling a love of reading in the youngest children at LJCDS. Although Middleton always wanted to be a librarian, she never envisioned working at a school. After spending two years in the Peace Corps in South Korea, she worked for a year in Japan and backpacked for nearly two years throughout Asia. She then earned her Master of Library Science degree and worked in business libraries, public libraries and university libraries, both in the U.S. and abroad. She imagined she would be a research librarian translating Japanese or Chinese materials.

Luckily for LJCDS, Middleton found education and never looked back. Since 1985, thousands of students (and parents/ guardians who volunteered in the library) have witnessed and benefited from the magic of her storytelling. Middleton introduced legendary events, like the annual baseball week with the Abbott and Costello “Who’s on First” routine, the telling of The Polar Express, the Newbery Awards assembly, and the Brown Bag Book Barter. She also brought many of the students’ favorite authors and illustrators to campus, including Robin Preiss Glasser of Fancy Nancy fame. “Susan has made such an impact on [our son] Nick and shaped his school experience in so many wonderful ways over the years,”

shares Patricia Mogul P’27. “Her love for literature and her students always shines through. We feel blessed that Nick was able to experience her gift of making books come alive and are grateful for the love of reading she instilled in him.” One of Middleton’s favorite annual events is the Lifer Lunch, which honors graduating seniors who have grown up on the LJCDS campus for 13 years. She also treasures being a parent to her own Lifer children, Amberley ’00 and Sean ’04. Over the years, Middleton has kept cherished notes from students. One note reads, “You’ve been a great library helper for five years, half my life. Thanks for being a great librarian. From your No. 1 fan.” “These notes are my inspiration,” shares Middleton. “I see them every day. That keeps me working, and keeps me honest, and keeps me energized.”

Winter 2022

On Genesee Ave

…

Martha Migdal Kindergarten Associate Educator 17 years Martha Migdal is a caring mentor to both students and colleagues. Known for her calm, patient and gentle demeanor, Migdal has worked with LJCDS’ youngest Torreys to build them up for success. To her LJCDS team members, she’s a wise collaborator and friend. Migdal knew she wanted to be a teacher since the first grade. Before coming to LJCDS to teach junior kindergarten and then kindergarten, she was trained in the Montessori method, which has provided a valuable perspective on early childhood development. “Martha has been a pillar of excellence,” shares Payton Hobbs, head of Lower School. “She strategically guides students with grace, courtesy and respect for themselves, their environment and their community. Her welcoming smile and joy in celebrating all children strengthen the vital relationship, which is so important for a child’s growth and development.” Migdal takes pleasure in developing an environment that represents the students and their interests by preparing lessons with hands-on activities and big science experiments. She fondly remembers teaching each

student a special magic trick and dressing them up in a magic hat and cape for the annual Mother’s Day magic shows. January was Migdal’s favorite month of the school year. “I love teaching in January because the students always come back from break confident and excited to learn,” she explains. “Students and teachers alike notice the remarkable progress that has been made. You just feel like the seeds that you sowed are flourishing, and it happens every January.” It’s never too early to teach children about kindness, respect and truthfulness. Migdal’s teaching philosophy was recognized in the book Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People, by Donna Hicks, Ph.D. Hicks wrote that she was “shocked to learn that Martha Migdal at LJCDS had integrated dignity teachings into her junior kindergarten class. Martha’s approach is to stress that every person matters. She does this by encouraging her students to share, take turns, listen, be aware of others’ feelings, and include others in play.” “Ms. Migdal is such a talented, warm and caring human being, and we are beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to know her,” shares Lisa Gomez P’25 ’27. “She laid the foundation upon which our children have continued to thrive. We will always be indebted to her.”

Glenda Poliner Middle School Science Educator, Grade 7 33 years Jumping into the Pacific Ocean at 6:45 a.m. is one of those moments most people don’t forget. Glenda Poliner shared that experience with her seventh-graders, taking the Polar Bear Plunge during the annual Outdoor Education trip to Catalina Island, then swimming back to shore with the sun rising. These are among her favorite moments during her time at LJCDS. While teaching Life Science, Poliner emphasizes the human systems, not only learning the anatomy and physiology of the systems but how to keep that system healthy. In addition to physical health, there

1926

“She strategically guides students with grace, courtesy and respect for themselves, their environment and their community.”

is also a focus on mental health. Students learn how to live a longer and healthier life. “The best legacy Glenda has given her students is the confidence to think for themselves and to ask questions, not just scientific ones,” shares Kathy Hirsch P’01 ’04 ’08. “She gave them the space and empowered them to ask and to know it’s okay to do that—to not just accept what is. I love that about her.” Poliner loves to involve students’ families in school projects because she believes it will have a greater impact. During a healthy eating project, students were challenged to plan and carry out a two-day menu. They researched, found recipes, cooked with their families, and proudly shared pictures of their meals. To lead longer, healthier lives, her students learn

“Never stop learning and never stop making your lives and your family’s lives better, healthier, and our planet better and healthier through your actions and through a general attitude of concern and kindness.”

STUDENT POEM

Treeeeeee By Aidan Ideker ’22

TREEEEEEE When shimmering dawn breaks And the light pokes like shiny needles between branches I find myself a trail To traipse the spring day away And as the forest floor warms I think back to my forebears, The ones who felled trees for a different life; One of farming and log cabins and smoky smells that cling to cotton.

that they also need to improve the planet’s health and actively help accomplish that goal. Over spring break, she tasked her students with journaling their successes as they worked with their families to eat leftovers rather than wasting food, reduce their meat consumption, avoid heating their home above 68 degrees or cooling it below 78 degrees, end their use of single-use plastics, and keep their neighborhoods free of litter. “I want students to remember that we’re always learning,” shares Poliner. “Never stop learning and never stop making your lives and your family’s lives better, healthier, and our planet better and healthier through your actions and through a general attitude of concern and kindness.” Poliner is a professional volunteer during retirement. She is active in feeding baby birds every week with Project Wildlife, which is part of the Humane Society. She and her husband’s commitment and passion lie in reversing climate change. They’re involved with SanDiego350 and the Climate Action Campaign. “My personal mission and No. 1 focus is to leave this world better off than when I entered it for the next generation, including the Country Day students I care about so much, and my own children (Rachel ’03, Rebecca ’08 and Leah ’15) and six grandchildren.” —JENNIFER FOGARTY

My attention is caught by a spring, Dancing and leaping and sparkling, Like a child jumping from Stone to stone. And the sounds of the forests gush forth: The murmur of leaves And the groaning of the trees And the calling of the finches And the rustling of bushes And the light searching for a face To warm. And as the forest floor warms, I think back to my forebears, The ones who fell the forebears Of these trees. We are connected, In time and space, In heart and in soul, In earth and air, In skin and flesh. I see you, I hear you, I know you, I love you.

Winter 2022

… and Beyond ATHLETICS

Dreams Come True KE LSE Y P LU M ’ 13 , A L FO N S O R I VAS ’15 , R O B ERT R ID L AN D ’6 8, TE- HIN A PAO PAO ’2 0

The pandemic put a pause on athletics, but it didn’t set back the following Torreys from achieving excellence at the next level. Whether representing the United States in international competitions or being called up to the major leagues, Torrey pride was in full force.

Good as Gold

Photo Courtesy of Kelsey Plum

1926

n June 2020, Kelsey Plum ’13 tore her Achilles tendon while playing with her WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces. The potentially career-ending injury sidelined the standout guard for the entire pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season. But Plum, the first overall selection in the 2017 WNBA draft, did not let the injury derail her determination to make it back on the court. She underwent surgery on her Achilles and then embarked on intensive rehabilitation efforts. And those efforts paid off. Exactly one year to the day that she took her first post-operative steps, Plum stood on top of the podium at the Tokyo Olympics, accepting a gold medal with her teammates in 3 × 3 basketball. Tokyo was the first time the 3 × 3 event—which is played with a 12-second shot clock on a half-court—had appeared in the Olympics. Baskets inside the arc and free throws are worth one point, and baskets made from outside the arc are worth two points. The winner is the first team to score 21 points or the leading team at the end of the 10-minute game clock. The U.S. team had a strong showing throughout the tournament, losing only one game before defeating the Russian Olympic Committee by a score of 18–15 in the gold medal match. Plum was dominant throughout the team’s championship run: She was the tournament’s leading scorer, averaging 6.1 points per game. Plum’s dominant performance was no surprise to anyone familiar with her previous on-court accomplishments. She led La Jolla Country Day School to the 2012 CIF Division IV state championship and scored an NCAA-record 3,527 points in her four seasons at Washington. After being picked first in the draft by the San Antonio Stars, she was named to the All-Rookie team. The Stars relocated to Las Vegas and changed their name to the Aces, and Plum played a key role in helping the team make the playoffs in 2019. When not with her WNBA team, Plum plays for Turkey’s Fenerbahçe, where she helped lead the team to two Turkish League championships and a Turkish Cup.

A Major Debut

e has made the journey that every young baseball player dreams of: Alfonso Rivas ’15 is now in the major leagues. The 24-year-old first baseman was called up to the bigs by the Chicago Cubs in late August 2021 after proving himself with Triple A Iowa. And if his first MLB at-bat is any indication, Rivas is ready for the big leagues. Up against the White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease, Rivas swung at the first pitch, a 98-mph fastball, and sent it cleanly into center field for a single. A second hit came later in the game. Rivas has been honing his talents and building upon his successes since his time as a Torrey. He played for the University of Arizona Wildcats from 2016 to 2018 as a fielder and a relief pitcher. As a freshman, he appeared in 55 games, making 47 starts in the field and 18 appearances on the mound. He recorded two saves in the Wildcats’ 2–16 run to the College World Series. He finished his career at Arizona hitting .323 with 15 home runs. In 2018, Rivas was a fourth-round draft pick for the Oakland A’s but was traded to the Cubs in January 2020. He was able to be with the team for spring training, but the pandemic delayed his major league debut for a year. After playing 58 games for Iowa, the self-described contact hitter earned his chance to show the Cubs how he could help the team in the run-up to the postseason.

Momentous Leaps

n 1976, Robert Ridland ’68 competed for the U.S. team in equestrian jumping at the Montreal Olympics. Forty-five years and a distinguished international career later, he journeyed to Tokyo for his second stint as the U.S. Olympic equestrian team coach. Under his strategic leadership, the U.S. jumping team earned the silver medal after an intense jump-off battle with Sweden in the jumping team final. The Tokyo result equaled the team’s accomplishments of Ridland’s first run as team coach at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where they also received silver. Ridland adds Olympic-medal-winning coach to his long list of accomplishments in the equestrian world. As a show jumper, he won numerous jumping events prior to the 1976 Olympics, including the 1971 New York Grand Prix, the 1974 Switzerland Grand Prix, the 1975 Toronto

Rothman Grand Prix and the 1976 Tampa Invitational Grand Prix. He has been involved in the administration of the sport, serving as a board member of the U.S. Equestrian Foundation and the U.S. Equestrian Team, and as a technical delegate for several World Cup finals. Ridland’s vast experience as an international course designer, includes courses for the U.S. Olympic Trials, and he has earned the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Course Designer of the Year award twice. Ridland has also been a color analyst for televised jumping competitions for NBC, CBS and ESPN. In 2018, he was inducted into the Jumping Hall of Fame. Apart from his U.S. Equestrian Team commitments, Ridland serves as the co-founder and president of Blenheim EquiSports.

Winter 2022

… and Beyond R EL EAS E R ADAR

SHARON MCCARTNEY ’77 V I LL A N EGAT I VA

Continuing to Excel

fter leading LJCDS’ women’s basketball team to a 32–1 record and the No. 1 national ranking for the 2019–2020 season, Te-Hina Paopao ’20 is not resting on her laurels. The 5-foot-9 guard just took her game global, helping the U.S. Women’s U19 National Basketball Team win the gold medal at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Hungary. The U.S. team was 7–0 for the tournament, defeating Australia decisively, 70–52, in the title game. Paopao started all seven games and finished the tournament averaging 9.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals. The U.S. women have been dominant in this tournament, winning seven of the past eight FIBAs. Paopao, who was an All-American at LJCDS, is returning from international play to begin her sophomore year at the University of Oregon. A starting guard for the Ducks, Paopao was an All-PAC-12 selection as a freshman, when she averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. She also led all NCAA freshmen with a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. —MICHELLE CHOATE

1926

Against the backdrop of a sibling’s death, an eating disorder and a few very dismal dating relationships, Villa Negativa looks for laughter behind darkness: the intruder who politely removes her shoes, the fabricator whose closest relationship is with fiberglass, the anorexic who sends the Diet Coke back because it tastes too good. Meditative and mischievous, confessional and philosophical, sincere and sly by turns, Sharon McCartney’s seventh collection articulates an essential truth of self-knowledge—that “to perceive something, we have to be able to stand away from it.” Villa Negativa is dedicated to the late Bruce Boston, a beloved English educator in the Upper School for 34 years.

P I P L E W I S ’2 0 HU M A N N AT U R E A contemplative, yet hopeful narrative set against a delicate folk-pop sound, Human Nature seeks to capture a common story shared by everyone: the human condition. The debut album is based on observations of the complex relationships between humans and how they interact with the world and explores the little pieces that make up an individual. Single “People Like You” was nominated for a San Diego Music Award as best acoustic/folk song, earned Top 3 Finalist in Song Academy’s Young Songwriter Competition international category, and has been played on BBC Radio and 91X FM.

WORK HARD. BE KIND. DREAM BIG. H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

GOVERNMENT

Champion of Education CIN DY C OH E N MA RT E N ’ 84

JCDS alumni who pursue

careers in education as teachers, professors, staff members or administrators carry forward the mission of the school—preparing individuals for a lifetime of intellectual exploration, personal growth and social responsibility. They lead lives that influence the next generation to make the world a better place. Cindy Cohen Marten ’84 embodies this path, rising through the ranks of the public education system in San Diego before being recently named the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education by the Biden administration. In the beginning of her career, Marten dedicated 10 years working as a teacher and principal at Central Elementary School in City Heights, San Diego, where she created programs that enhanced students’ learning experiences, including a biliteracy program, after-school and preschool programs,

a school garden and an integrated arts education. In 2013, Marten was unanimously elected superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, the second-largest school district in California. During her tenure as superintendent, the district saw the highest graduation rate of the state’s big-city districts. In addition, Marten navigated the district through the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, getting the necessary technology to students and distributing free meals. She held this position for eight years until the Biden administration nominated her to become U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education. She was confirmed in May 2021. In this role, Marten’s primary purview is elementary and secondary education, where she is responsible for the creation and implementation of policies, programs and activities. She oversees work on

special education and rehabilitative services, safe and drug-free schools, impoverished students’ education, education of diverse students (both in language and culture) and more. Marten’s motto, “Work hard. Be kind. Dream big!” reflects the core of the Torrey spirit. —KATIE SIGETI ’06

Cindy Cohen Marten ’84 is the 11th United States Deputy Secretary of Education. Marten served as the superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District from 2013–2021. TWITTER.COM/BEKINDDREAMBIG

Winter 2022

… and Beyond ATHLETICS

Hall of Fame In fall 2021, alumni, their families and current and former coaches returned to campus to celebrate the La Jolla Country Day School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and Homecoming. The 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were Jerry Fleischhacker, Diego Rovira ’00, Lauren Swigart ’03 and the 2001–2002 women’s basketball team.

Jerry Fleischhacker was a beloved soccer coach and history educator for 29 years at La Jolla Country Day School. “Coach Fly” did not miss any of the 704 games his teams played between 1991 and 2020. His teams had a record of 364–215–125, making him the winningest soccer coach in school history. Under his leadership, men’s varsity soccer won five Coastal League championships and two California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) championships. Fleischhacker served as a positive mentor to his players on and off the field. “I’ve played soccer my whole life and had many coaches, but none like Fly,” shares Diego

Rovira ’00. “He cared so much about the players and the team. It was never about winning (though he liked winning); it was all about the journey in helping us grow up and become better people.” Zack Wolfenzon ’09 adds, “Everyone who’s taken a class with Fly comes out a better student. Everyone who’s played for Fly comes out as a better soccer player. Everyone who’s had a chance to know Fly is ever grateful to have him as a coach, teacher, mentor and friend.” Fleischhacker was also inducted as a San Diego Coaching Legend by the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2021.

“He cared so much about the players and the team. It was never about winning (though he liked winning); it was all about the journey in helping us grow up and become better people.”

Lauren Swigart ’03 was a cross country and track and field star from 1999 to 2003. She led three cross country teams to both Coastal League and CIF championships. She also led three teams to impressive finishes in the state championships. Swigart was a top-five finisher in both the Coastal Conference and CIF during all four seasons. She was the Division IV individual CIF champion in 2001 and 2002. Swigart was named All-Coastal Conference and team MVP all four of her cross country seasons and was a fourtime All-Academic selection by The San Diego 22

1926

Union-Tribune. Swigart led the Torreys to three Coastal Conference Championships and was a three-time CIF finalist in track and field. She went on to run both cross country and track and field at Santa Clara University. She was named first-team All-WCC (West Coast Conference) in cross country in both 2003 and 2006 and was a WCC All-Academic selection. Beyond college, Swigart continued her running and competed in Ironman Triathlons and ultra-marathons. She now lives in the mountains of Colorado and has climbed all of its 58 peaks over 14,000 feet.

Top Row: June Brubaker Landry ’02, Terri Bamford, Brian Murphy, LaToya Cunningham ’05, Corinne Brunn Bottom Row: Mercedes Fox-Griffin ’05, Lauren Swigart ’03, Marissa Rivera ’04, Diego Rovira ’00, Jerry Fleischhacker

Diego Rovira ’00 is one of the greatest soccer players in La Jolla Country Day School history. He was a talented left-footed midfielder who played from 1996 to 2000 and finished his LJCDS soccer career as the all-time leading scorer at the time. His head coach, Jerry Fleischhacker, described him as “a fine young man and team leader who did a great job teaching the seven freshmen about team attitude. Those seven freshmen went on to win a CIF title and were then mentors to the new freshmen.” Rovira was named first-team All-Coastal League three times and first-team All-CIF as a senior.

In addition to excelling on the field, he was a three-time member of the academic honor roll and was part of a high school All-Academic team selected by The San Diego Union-Tribune. Rovira became an honorable mention All-WCC (West Coast Conference) player at Saint Mary’s College of California. He then had a tremendous professional career with the San Diego Sockers. In the 2010–2011 season, Rovira scored 19 goals in 15 games for the Sockers and was named Second Team All-PASL (Professional Arena Soccer League).

The 2001–2002 women’s basketball team was Coastal League co-champions, CIF Division V champions (108–35 over Julian), Southern California Regional champions (63–37 over Pilgrim) and California state champions (53–49 over Modesto Christian). They played a challenging nonleague schedule, won three preseason tournaments, defeated nationally ranked and state-ranked championship teams, and finished the season with a record of 27–5. The Torreys were ranked No. 1 in San Diego County, No. 1 in the Division V team in California and top 10 overall in California. The team roster included LaToya Cunningham ’05, Mercedes Fox-Griffin ’05, Ashley Rentz Kerins ’03, June Brubaker Landry ’02, Marissa Rivera ’04, Chrystina Sayers ’05, Gabriela Sanz-Douglass ’04, Candice Wiggins ’04 and Sarah Wilson ’02. They were coached by Terri Bamford, Brian Murphy, Corinne Brunn and Genevieve Ruvald. —ROBERT GRASSO Winter 2022

… and Beyond PERFORMING ARTS

A Harmonious Return to San Diego DAV I D CH AN ’9 1

David Chan ’91 is in his 22nd year as a concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. While he resides in New York, San Diego will always have a special place in his heart. In 2020, Chan reestablished his connection with Mainly Mozart, a San Diego–founded classical music nonprofit organization.

ainly Mozart brings together concertmasters and principal players from around the nation to perform in the largest gathering of its kind in North America. During his senior year at LJCDS, Chan performed in one of Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra’s chamber music concerts. Now, the Del Mar native serves in a variety of roles as co-artistic partner. In fall 2020, Chan performed with the organization for the first time as a professional in the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra Drive-in Concert Series held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Then he returned to San Diego for Mainly Mozart’s Festival of Orchestras as conductor, concertmaster and featured soloist in winter and spring 2021. On September 11, 2021, Chan conducted the Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra at the Del Mar Surf Cup Sports Park. In partnership with the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC), Mainly Mozart presented a special benefit concert, “A Path Forward,” to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The event raised funds and brought awareness to NCRC’s mission to overcome hatred, intolerance and incivility while ensuring the heroes and victims are not forgotten. Chan led the orchestra in a performance of Mozart’s overture to “The Marriage of Figaro.” While in San Diego, Chan also visited the LJCDS campus and met with Upper School strings classes to share a few of his pieces and listen to the students’ work. —KATIE SIGETI ’06

David Chan ’91 has been the concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2000 and made his Carnegie Hall debut during the 2002–2003 season. He has been an active soloist, recitalist and chamber musician around the world from the United States to Europe and Asia. DAVIDCHANMUSIC.COM

1926

REUNIONS

Celebrating with Fellow Torreys LJCDS hosted several events in the 2020–2021 academic year for alumni, their families, faculty, staff and coaches to reunite, reminisce and celebrate.

Left: Decade and 25-year reunions celebrating the classes of ’70, ’71, ’80, ’81, ’90, ’91, ’95, ’96, ’00 and ’01. Pictured: Class of 2001. AUGUST 28, 2021 Above: All-Alumni Family Reunion Picnic. Pictured: Jason Davis ’02 and Phoebe Davis ’32. AUGUST 29, 2021 Below: Five- and 10-year reunions for the classes of 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016, at Ballast Point Brewing. Pictured: Class of 2011. DECEMBER 26, 2021

UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS: SAVE THE DATE Decade and 25-year Reunions: Saturday, August 27, 2022 Celebrating the reunion classes of 1972, 1982, 1992, 1997 and 2002

All-Alumni Family Picnic: Sunday, August 28, 2022 Alumni in reunion classes and their families are invited to enjoy fun in the sun on the LJCDS softball field! LJCDS.ORG/ALUMNI

STAY CON N E C T E D LJCDS alumni are active on Facebook and LinkedIn. Join the groups today and make connections with fellow alumni, discuss careers, network and share your favorite memories of LJCDS.

Facebook.com/groups/LJCDSAlumni LinkedIn.com/groups/1289217

Winter 2022

“Overheard ” Country Day teachers are working to give students a phenomenal education and to help guide students to become citizens of character and citizens who are going to change the world.

I think being exposed to so many different things and different people is really what made me into the person I am today. Cassidy Ratner ’21, senior reflection

Alice Irvin ’21, senior reflection

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from teachers. Be comfortable with who you are and try your best not to dwell on trivial things like mistakes and other people’s opinions. Devon Jha ’21, Lifer Q&A

The more we learn how to overcome challenges, the more we learn about ourselves and our resources. Adrian Hayes, Lower School assistant educator, new faculty/staff bio

I believe in the power of sharing our stories with each other and encouraging our students to do the same. It is through community and collaboration that we learn and grow. I believe that together we are better. Miranda Conway, Lower School associate educator, new faculty/staff bio

There is so much potential for greatness that lives in each of us. Crystal Tan, Lower School associate educator, new faculty/staff bio

1926

I encourage this community to check in with ourselves, keep an eye on each other, and say something if we sense someone is struggling. That is what community is all about. Geordie Mitchell, assistant head of school for institutional advancement, news article

My hope is that students go out into the world feeling empowered to create a more just, equitable and inclusive world. Jessica Heredia, director of diversity, equity and culture, news article

When you have a clearly defined vision and your core values are your guiding light, the decisions you make, the projects you manage, and the feedback you give and receive will all go through your values filter, and you will be clear and confident about your next steps as a result. Payton Hobbs, head of Lower School, news article

We need to be our biggest fans, always lifting each other up. It sounds silly, but it is really working. I feel like I’ve changed and grown as a teacher 10-fold because of what we’ve all gone through the past two years. Liesl Hansen, Middle School band educator, news article

Here’s to an infinity of future possibilities and experiences that will change us all. Ashley Lee ’21, commencement speech

Whether it be in academics, athletics or arts, there is greatness in each individual that we are excited to grow at LJCDS. Together, we support students in their pursuit to lead our world toward a better future. Andrew Kim, Upper School math educator, new faculty/staff bio

Winter 2022

Photography by Stephen Gosling

JESSICA WILSON-JONES ’10 28

1926

DISCOVERING HER POW ER

BY M I C H E L L E C H OAT E Winter 2022

When she was about 10 years old, Jessica Wilson-Jones ’10 moved to the United States from Egypt with her parents. Her Egyptian-born mother and African American father were at the center of her rapidly expanding universe and a powerful fire in the core of the person she would later become. These two beautiful, resilient people, as she refers to them, raised her to be principled, passionate and patient (and she’d make good use of all three qualities, especially patience). They gave her access to a world where unimagined doors could be opened—doors that they never had access to. But as she was often the only Black, Muslim female wherever she went, finding the key to unlocking those doors was a journey of discovery that Wilson-Jones would primarily have to map out on her own. 30

1926

ilson-Jones has come a long way from being the girl who had to adjust to life in a new country. She now represents the United States as a foreign affairs officer at the U.S. Department of State, the latest in an impressive series of positions she’s held at the federal level. During childhood and up to her professional career, Wilson-Jones learned to harness her unique lived experience to strengthen her sense of self and hone a worldview guided by empathy and insight. “Everyone comes into situations with assumptions about the way I navigate the world as a Black woman, an Arab woman, a Muslim woman,” she says. “There are judgments and assumptions made about who I am, where I am from—my culture, customs, way of navigating the world—from both sides of the pond. Just because I view things differently doesn’t mean I don’t bring knowledge and value. If anything, I am able to bridge the good from both sides of my worlds—and see where gaps exist from both ends.”

“There are judgments and assumptions made about who I am, where I am from—my culture, customs, way of navigating the world— from both sides of the pond. Just because I view things differently doesn’t mean I don’t bring knowledge and value. If anything, I am able to bridge the good from both sides of my worlds—and see where gaps exist from both ends.”

Winter 2022

Be Patient, Observe, Assess, Respect, Then Speak Up and understand people, and a desire to use that understanding to bridge gaps and bring people together, WilsonJones began to leverage her duality of culture and upbringing into a philosophy of sorts, a toolkit for human interaction. No matter what the situation, she approached it with the same personal mandate: First, enter with a keen eye and the patience to observe. Don’t rush to make an assumption or change the status quo from day one. Listen and let words and actions reveal a person’s character or the disposition of your new environment. Assess their experiences and motivations. Respect their priorities and objectives, even if you know there are gaps or opportunities for positive change. After that information is fully processed, speak up and let others know what you can offer. Wilson-Jones had already started refining her philosophy by the time she arrived at La Jolla Country Day School as a ninth-grader. Finding only a handful of students who looked like her was understandably unnerving. “It’s scary to think, Do I belong here? Am I navigating this right?” says Wilson-Jones. “I remember thinking to myself that the best course of action would be to get a sense of where I was and what the dynamics were. Then use that knowledge to help me navigate this setting.” During her four-year tenure at LJCDS, WilsonJones was seen as an ambitious student leader who was passionate about making a positive difference in the world. She caught the attention of George Mitrovitch, president of the City Club of San Diego, who would later become her mentor. Wilson-Jones first met Mitrovitch when he visited Mr. [Jonathan] with her ability to read a room

“No matter what you do for a living, what position you have in our arbitrary hierarchy of life, the only thing that matters is your character and how you approach other people.”

1926

Shulman’s AP History class to discuss civic engagement. Given her desire to be an active citizen, she became part of a group of LJCDS students that Mitrovitch invited to different City Club events. They stayed in touch until he passed away in 2019. “George personified what it means to navigate the world with humility and kindness,” Wilson-Jones says. “We couldn’t be more different. Here was a white man in his late 70s who grew up in my dad’s era of American history—the injustice, the violence, the fight. I never had a chance to clearly articulate to him how much I watched and listened to how he navigated the world—his integrity, his persistence, his affable laugh and character. Whenever anyone reaches out to me, I always respond and offer advice, because we’re all just trying to figure it out. To mentor someone else the way George mentored me reinforces that no matter what you do for a living, what position you have in our arbitrary hierarchy of life, the only thing that matters is your character and how you approach other people. George opened up doors for me that led me to where I am today, but more importantly, he reminded me, always, that I too bring value and voice. I’ve been privileged to get these opportunities, particularly the ones I received being at Country Day.”

It’s Complicated on the next leg of her formal education, Wilson-Jones continued to sharpen her observational skills and sense of dynamics around her. Everything in her arsenal would come in handy as she headed into a career in service and government. After studying international relations and public policy at Tufts University, she returned to San Diego in 2014 to work as a communications and outreach director for the International Rescue Committee. In 2016, she moved to Washington, D.C., to begin work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the Office of Policy for the Middle East and North Africa, first as a policy analyst, and later as an acting director. When the Obama administration ended, appointees such as herself had to find new jobs. Wilson-Jones landed at the State Department, where she worked for more than three years as a senior programs officer for the Fulbright Program, working with students from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. In early 2020, just as the world was becoming overwhelmed by the COVID-19 as she embarked

pandemic, Wilson-Jones became a foreign affairs officer for Near East Affairs with a specific focus on another overwhelming entity, Syria. As a foreign affairs officer, Wilson-Jones serves as a liaison between the State Department and her colleagues in the field. She works with teams in D.C. and the region to shape the guidelines for U.S. efforts with Syria, specifically on stabilization assistance efforts. As with many of the big issues challenging our world, there is no easy fix for Syria. “Developing and supporting stabilization assistance to Syria has been incredible and heart-wrenching at the same time,” explains Wilson-Jones. “It’s been rewarding to witness the ways in which foreign institutions and governments are supporting the stabilization efforts in Syria given the challenges there. But the scope of the issues is insurmountable. Whenever someone asks me about what’s going on in Syria, my response is always, ‘There are really smart, capable people doing yeoman’s work in Syria; I’m just here to rally behind them. It’s a complicated portfolio, and you have to remain patient more than anything.’”

A Room with a Point of View is not known for being the most diverse or progressive organization, but Wilson-Jones believes there is hope for change. She navigates a room where she is usually the only Black woman, in the same way she has countless times before, and with the acuteness born of her own experiences. “When you are working with people who have various frames of reference and outlooks, you have to nudge the discussion toward things that might never have been discussed in this group before,” she explains. “Simply by my being present, by bringing a different perspective and using my voice, I am forcing others to think about things in a new light. I’m pushing change.” In the four years that she has been at the State Department, Wilson-Jones has witnessed a surge in conversation and efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion. “I can’t speak for the entire U.S. federal system, but I can say for my bureau, we’ve been working hard on these efforts and taking to heart the reality of what the State Department is. It’s ‘pale, male and Yale’—a small contingency of people who come from a background of privilege and access. And the state department

“Simply by my being present, by bringing a different perspective and using my voice, I am forcing others to think about things in a new light. I’m pushing change.”

Winter 2022

“When I come home and rest my head on the pillow at night, I want to know without a doubt that we tried 150% to create a slightly better world today, for tomorrow.”

I acknowledge it’s the same privilege and access I was given at a very young age, so I know how it works.” The Department is reviewing its recruitment and hiring practices to shift the conversation and pipelines to guarantee new people at the table. As Wilson-Jones can attest, the first people at the table who look different often have the hardest time. She admits it’s sometimes exhausting being the only voice of her kind in the room. But then she thinks to herself, If I don’t do it, and others like me don’t do it, then who will? Who’s going to make way for the next generation to come in and feel much more comfortable being their authentic selves in that space?

Loss and Remaining Committed the work wilson - jones

is engaged in is not for those impatient with the often glacial pace and lack of progress inherent in a massive bureaucracy. Exceptional minds and extremely caring people put their hearts into creating programs and executing policies that sometimes amount to nothing. The heart is something those in this line of work need to do their best to protect. In over a decade in this field, Wilson-Jones has become invested in the people and countries she works with. As a result, the tragedies in Afghanistan with the Taliban’s takeover in late summer 2021 were particularly painful for her. “I worked on Afghanistan for three years on the Fulbright program. We brought over 200 master’s and Ph.D. students to the U.S. during that time. I have beautiful memories of all of them,” explains Wilson-Jones. “They would come to D.C., and I’d take them out to lunch or coffee. Every single one of them has an incredible, beautiful story of triumph, resilience, pain and trauma, but they were so happy and positive despite all that. We viewed each other as friends, so what happened in August broke my heart. Three women I worked with that were in prestigious ministerial positions lost all of that instrumental work in a day; it all just disappeared. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I was and am still heartbroken.”

1926

In the midst of this humanitarian tragedy, Wilson-Jones was forced to face a more personal loss, the death of her beloved father. “My dad was a major factor in my education and was my guiding light throughout my academic, professional and personal life,” she shares. “He is the reason why I am where I am today and continue to pave the way forward for others.” Yet amid her private heartache, she continued to do all she could to help her Afghan friends. “I had to be a pillar and support my family, but also these friends, because they matter,” says Wilson-Jones. “But at the same time, I felt helpless. I called on friends on the Hill, joined multiple task forces and tapped on DoD colleagues coordinating the airlifts. This crisis was a battle where so many roadblocks were present across all levels of government. Some we were able to get out, others are still stuck in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Albania—but we remain in touch and will not give up.”

Moving the Needle wilson - jones embraces both the peaks and valleys in each phase of her life as opportunities for growth in her perspective. “It’s amazing how, with each chapter in your life, your perspective and priorities change,” she shares. “I’m really happy where I am right now; I love the work I do. But my husband and I are expecting our first child, and our lives will take on a new, if not added, meaning and priority. I’m already starting to think about pursuing opportunities that will allow my family to gain all the joys out of life. My dad was at every track meet, every basketball game; my mom was there for every pickup and drop-off. They were there all the time, and that was so important to me, and I want to be able to offer that to my family.” Whatever it is that she does, family concerns aren’t her only priority. “I want to move the needle forward in bringing good to the world,” she says. “That desire is deep in my core. How I might achieve that in the future is not clear. I could leave the State Department next year and go into nonprofit. I could start my own business. I just know that whatever it is, I want to be surrounded by family; I want to be surrounded by friends. And I want to make sure that we are doing good at the end of the day. When I come home and rest my head on the pillow at night, I want to know without a doubt that we tried 150% to create a slightly better world today, for tomorrow.” ■

For you, Dad. My guiding light— always. LOUIS WILSON, 1939–2021

Winter 2022

Every day the world depends on the ocean for its resources—the oxygen we breathe, the food that nourishes us, transport of goods and services, revenue from coastal tourism and numerous jobs. According to the United Nations, more than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. The ocean’s global economic value is estimated at $3 trillion per year, and marine fisheries employ more than 200 million people. But overfishing, pollution, waste and other harmful human activities are disrupting the oceanic ecosystem.

TA KI NG CA R E O F TH E O CEA N

1926

S USTA I N I N G PE O PL E

BY TIFFANY TRUONG

Winter 2022

Jocelyn Lin Drugan ’98 believes that restoring the ocean’s health is vital not only for saving marine life but also the livelihoods of some of the most vulnerable communities around the world. As the analytics team director and senior fisheries scientist at the nonprofit organization Ocean Outcomes (O2), she works directly with the seafood industry to help fisheries and their supply chains become more sustainable. Drugan’s work focuses on economic, social and environmental sustainability. “At a fundamental level, it’s about managing the fishery resource in a way that keeps it going so that you don’t take too many fish and the population can keep reproducing and stay healthy,” she says. “Monitoring the fish stocks to see how they’re doing. Are they healthy or not? That’s usually determined with stock assessments and data collection.”

The Path to Fish Science

3 BILLION PEOPLE DEPEND ON MARINE AND COASTAL BIODIVERSITY FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS

$3 TRILLION THE OCEAN’S ANNUAL GLOBAL ECONOMIC VALUE

200 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED BY FISHERIES WORLDWIDE

Sustainable fisheries management requires data collection.

1926

After graduating from La Jolla Country Day School, Drugan earned her bachelor’s in ecology and evolutionary biology from Yale University. She then embarked on a laser-focused journey studying fish. During a yearlong Fulbright Fellowship in Japan, Drugan visited fish markets and tuna aquaculture facilities to study tuna sashimi production. As a Ph.D. student at the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, she studied the evolution and genetic population structure of wild Pacific salmon. Then in her post-doctoral position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Drugan developed a genetic simulation model to help confirm oceanographic models of larval fish dispersal at their Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

While serving as a salmon management analyst at the Wild Salmon Center, Drugan uncovered a need to support sustainable fishery practices beyond salmon. “The Wild Salmon Center is mainly focused on conserving what they would call ‘salmon strongholds,’ places where the environment is relatively pristine, and helping keep their salmon populations healthy,” she says. “I was also working on the sustainable seafood side within a group there. While we were working with salmon fisheries in Russia, we recognized a huge demand for sustainable seafood and insufficient supply to meet that demand.” So, rather than wait for someone else to solve the problem, in 2015, Drugan and a group of passionate colleagues founded O2.

Leading with Passion Today, her current role combines the best of her education, experience and passions. While a critical part of her job involves providing technical expertise drawing on her fisheries science background, Drugan also works directly with people in the field—those who are contributing to their community’s nutrition, food security, sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation. She explains, “When I start a fishery project, I typically begin with an assessment and evaluation. It’s a lot of talking to people and learning about their fishery.” Ocean Outcomes supports large- and small-scale fisheries, but small artisanal fisheries hold a special place in Drugan’s heart. “Smaller-scale fisheries are essential because they provide

many local communities with food security and jobs,” says Drugan. “Stereotypically, people believe a lot of fisheries are operated by men. However, women are instrumental in the sector, too. Often, they may be more involved in selling or processing.” The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations named 2022 the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. “It is the year of supporting small-scale fisheries,” shares Drugan. “Fisheries support a lot of people. These smaller-scale fisheries might not have political or economic power to leverage. I think it’s important to support them. Trying to help them keep their livelihoods going is one of those big challenges, especially when there’s substantial competition among sectors.”

“At a fundamental level, it’s about managing the fishery resource in a way that keeps it going so that you don’t take too many fish, and the population can keep reproducing and stay healthy.”

Local communities rely on healthy fish populations, such as the salmon fishers in Kamchatka, Russia.

Global Obstacles From Mexico to Costa Rica to China to Japan, each country grapples with its own challenges as they strive to restore our oceans and manage the current impact of climate change on fish stocks. “Sometimes fishing rights are determined by historical patterns of where fish have been caught and what quantities have been caught,” says Drugan. “As water temperatures change, the distributions of fish are shifting, for example moving poleward where the water’s colder.” In Guyana, Drugan works with local groups to raise awareness about sustainable fishery management practices. “The capacity

for management is notably more limited here,” she shares. “Most of the fish stocks are not being assessed. Although the local people eat a lot of fish, they don’t think of themselves as major seafood consumers like in Japan, where there’s a lot of pride about eating seafood. There’s considerable room to raise awareness. They are also contending with oil exploration coming up at the same time. In a way, it’s an opportune time to be able to look at how the fish are doing before oil development gets settled there because that may have environmental impacts on those fish populations.”

Winter 2022

Small-scale fishers in Guyana bring their catch ashore to sell in the local marketplace.

“Taking an authentic interest in people is something I learned while I was at Country Day and something that I appreciate and still try to practice in the work I do now.”

1926

Mitigating the Cost Environmental sustainability cannot come at a tremendous financial cost for fisheries; therefore, the balance of short- and long-term outcomes is critical. “When you encourage environmental sustainability, there might be short-term costs like a need to invest in gear with less bycatch, or even reducing catches,” Drugan shares. “To help financially support those investments, sometimes you need outside investment. The goal is that the fishers themselves receive some benefit from doing this because they should not have to bear all the cost and hassle of trying to improve fishing practices on their own.” In partnership with the organization ABALOBI, Drugan and team developed an action plan for sustainable practices in a wild capture yellowtail fishery in South Africa that includes opportunities for fishers to obtain better market prices for their fish. “We think about how to improve the handling and distribution practices,” she says. “What’s the quality of fish as you’re catching it and then transporting it? If you can improve that quality, sometimes you can find buyers willing to pay more for higher-quality fish. Also, a lot of times those buyers might be interested in environmental sustainability and the story of how those fish came to market.”

The Aging Fishing Community In Japan, the aging workforce in the fishing community is posing a challenge for the industry. As fishers are getting older and retiring, fisheries aren’t attracting enough young people to replace those retiring. “It’s hard to make a living,” Drugan shares. “There’s not a huge incentive for young people to stay in that kind of job.” This challenge makes it vital to optimize opportunities for young fishers to thrive. Drugan and the teams at O2, Seafood Legacy, and UMITO Partners in Tokyo led a multi-year fishery improvement project plan for a giant octopus fishery in Hokkaido, Japan. “We worked with a young fisher who just wanted to keep his town going. He sought out Ocean Outcomes, which is really inspirational. Octopuses are interesting because they often tend to stay in one place. They have their home territories. In this case, we worked with the management agencies to execute a robust evaluation of how healthy those populations were.” Drugan, who oversaw the technical aspects of the fishery improvement project, worked with stakeholders to develop a precautionary harvest strategy. The plan also included generating domestic and international interest and investment in the region’s fisheries and seafood industry.

Igniting a Path for Curiosity and Learning

Investing in Native Communities In the United States, O2 is working with Native American tribes in Maine on aquaculture projects. “One of the tribes we’re working with has been raising brook trout, which are a native species in the area, and another is committed to Atlantic salmon restoration,” Drugan shares. “They want to use those programs to help feed the tribe and the local community, but they want to figure out how to do it sustainably, both environmentally and financially.” Native American communities have historically faced significant inequity and health disparities, leading to great social and economic disadvantages. “Equity is one of the bigger issues that comes up. Historical discrimination and loss of resources have had long-lasting impacts,” Drugan explains. “The food sovereignty aspect is very important to them. While it’s a work in progress, I am really excited about this partnership.”

Politics and Consumer Behavior The narrative around sustainability inevitably is tangled with politics and consumer behavior. Much of Drugan’s work involves the government as a stakeholder. “With regimes or political parties and individuals, momentum can be lost for a lot of the things that you’re trying to do, especially when it comes to longer-term management of fisheries,” she shares. “Politics and trade, especially in China, impact the work itself. Some of the projects we do are industry-funded, but when a tariff comes in, and they lose that income from, for example, crab exports to China, that affects their ability to fund the work.” For consumers, social media has raised awareness about plastics and the way they damage the ocean. Most notably, the anti-plastic-straw movement ignited behavior change and bans of single-use plastic straws in many restaurants. But what can consumers do when it comes to eating seafood? Drugan recommends making intentional choices. “In general, you should be thoughtful about what kind of seafood you purchase. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program has a seafood guide that classifies species as red-, yellow- and green-rated, which gives you some sense of your choices. Additionally, I think trying to buy locally and learning where the fish is coming from makes a difference.”

Drugan is a lifer who attended LJCDS starting in kindergarten. “I was on the quiet and studious side,” she shares. “What I think was special about Country Day was even as a quiet student, the teachers were so great and supportive. The teachers and staff at Country Day instilled in me a deep appreciation for learning across disciplines, from reading with Susan Middleton and writing with Chris Schuck to history with Richard Nelson and Doc Stevenson, science with Tom Perrotti and art with Marsha Boston. They fostered an environment that built both my self-confidence and awareness that there’s always more to learn.”

It’s About Serving and Supporting People and the Environment “Taking an authentic interest in people is something I think I learned while I was at Country Day and something that I sincerely appreciate and still try to practice in the work I do now,” shares Drugan. “I care deeply about animals, including fish, and the environment,” she shares. “However, in my work, it’s so much about the people. The fish are important, don’t get me wrong. But you need to have community interest and engagement and support to make progress on the environmental sustainability side of things. It’s really neat to work with people who have all sorts of challenges and try to learn their perspectives along the way and really listen to them. Fishers work so hard. This work is hard. It takes a long time to do, and there’s not usually some flashy return on investment. But in the end, it is really rewarding work.” ■

Jocelyn Drugan in Guyana in 2020.

Winter 2022

Milestones

ENGAGE M E N TS, M A R R I AG E S & BI RT H S

Jacquelynn Vanderlip Holly ’06 and husband Geoff Holly welcomed daughter Adelynn “Addie” Layne on October 8, 2021. She joins brothers Colten (9) and Hendrix (7) and sister Savannah Grace (4).

1926

Seth Dosick ’91 married Kristine Ruzylo on October 30, 2021. 3

Paulina Perez-Curiel ’14 married Victor Campos on May 9, 2021.

Jodi Morris Rycyzyn ’10 married Michael Rycyzyn on August 7, 2021.

Andrea Fatima Vargas Torres Suárez ’11 married Marc Celso Villasenor Suárez on July 7, 2020.

STAY C O N N ECTE D We want to hear from alumni! Are you celebrating a life event? Have news to share? Send us a class note. All class notes will be published online.

LJCDS.ORG/ALUMNI

Maya Babla Appiah ’07 and husband Ashwin Appiah welcomed son Reyan Chandra Appiah on December 27, 2020.

Diego Rovira ’00 and wife Jamie Rovira welcomed son Brayden Luca Rovira on June 27, 2021. He joins sister Rylee (4).

John Noerenberg ’06 and wife Cara Noerenberg welcomed daughter Haylee Marie Noerenberg on August 8, 2021. She joins brother Brayden (2).

Christian Malécot ’08 and wife Abigail Malécot welcomed son Jean-Luc Malécot on July 16, 2021.

Vinny Pujji ’10 married Alexandra Jewett on August 21, 2021.

Winter 2022

1926

THE GREAT DEBATE Establishing a Uniform or Spirit Day?

The dress code has been a topic of conversation at La Jolla Country Day School for nearly 100 years. When founder Louise Balmer opened the Balmer School in 1926, she wished to recognize the individuality of each child and encouraged them to live by her motto that school should be life, not a preparation for life. With the ever-changing fashion trends and ongoing conversation about the consideration of uniforms, the school frequently returns to Balmer’s words from so many years ago.

1974

1926

1967

2015

IN 1957,

2021

when Headmaster Don Leavenworth joined ljcds, he brought East Coast traditions, including the school colors, blue and white, from his alma mater, Yale University. In 1958, Leavenworth established uniforms on Fridays and on field trips to show school pride. Students and faculty wore blue blazers with the school crest on the front, white shirts, or blouses with grey skirts or pants. This tradition ended in the late 1970s. In the early 2000s, Athletic Director Jeff Hutzler established Torrey Blue Day every Friday. Hutzler yearned to instill a greater sense of school spirit, so he encouraged all faculty, staff and students to wear Torrey gear every day, especially on Fridays. In Lower School and Middle School, students also wear their Torrey T-shirts on field trips. Royal blue and white now permeate the campus and greater community with pride. At La Jolla Country Day School, the dress code debate may forever be up for discussion, but one thing is clear: Fridays are for school pride. —RACHEL BAXTER

Winter 2022

My Inspiration !

My inspiration is the people around me. I am constantly astonished by the drive, hard work and dedication each person puts into building this community and shaping our culture. Whether it’s my peers in the innovation lab inventing new products and starting businesses, the SAGE staff working hard to keep us happily fed, the engaging discussions in class, or the incredible talent displayed on the field and the stage, I am motivated daily to get involved and contribute to our community. I am marveled by the Torrey spirit, grateful for this community, and inspired by the students, faculty and staff each day. Thank you, La Jolla Country Day community, for inspiring me to be a better version of myself. Tavisha Khanna ’22 Student Council Co-President

1926

Report on Giving L A J O L L A C O U N T RY DAY S C H O O L

2020–2021

Winter 2022

xlvii

15 1,128

TOTAL STUDENT BODY

OUR MISSION

La Jolla Country Day School prepares individuals for a lifetime of intellectual exploration, personal growth and social responsibility.

AV E R AG E CLASS SIZE

FINANCIAL A S S I S TA N C E AWA R D E D

$5.2M

19%

OF STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL A S S I S TA N C E

PROMISE

Inspiring greatness for a better world.

92% 90 RETENTION RATE

DIFFERENT ZIP CODES REPRESENTED BY O U R STUDENT B O DY

Your philanthropy, whether for greatest need or programmatic support, funds every area of campus and reaches all students, age 3 through Grade 12. As a part of the LJCDS curriculum, Torreys learn about the practice and importance of giving back and the impact it has on their campus, as well as locally, nationally and globally.

LJCDS is known for launching young people into the world ready to make it better. Students model compassion and altruism. Philanthropy makes this and so much more possible. On behalf of every student, faculty and staff member, thank you!

88%

CLASS OF 2021 MATRICULATED TO

UNIQUE COLLEGES IN 22 STATES AND 3 INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS

AC C E P T E D I N TO AT L E A ST O N E O F FOUR TOP CHOICE COLLEGES

NAIS |

1926

UPPER SCHOOL INTRODUCTORY COURSES IN THE ARTS

LJCDS IS ACCREDITED BY

xlviii

AC C E P T E D I N T O AT L E A S T O N E OF TWO TOP CHOICE COLLEGES ( I N C R E A S E O F 1 4 % OV E R 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 )

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

96%

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM 4 COUNTRIES

98%

OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PLAY ON ONE OR MORE OF 33 ATHLETIC TEAMS

OF UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS PLAY ON ONE OR MORE OF 57 ATHLETIC TEAMS

545

80%

T O TA L C O L L E G E AC C E P TA N C E S FOR THE CLASS OF 2021

CORE VALUE

We are committed to fostering a culture of dignity— believing that all human beings have value and are vulnerable.

Letter

FROM LEADERSHIP

BOAR D OF TR U ST EES 2020–2021

Dear Generous Torreys,

OFFICERS

AC T S O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y A B O U N D E D AT L A J O L L A C O U N T R Y DAY S C H O O L I N 2 0 2 0 – 2 0 2 1 .

Lucy Smith Conroy ’90 President

Our community came together in a show of solidarity like never before, sharing generosity of spirit, expertise, time and resources. By doing so, we achieved the seemingly impossible. We kept campus open and safe five days a week during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for being there when we needed you most. LJCDS was recognized as a national leader and model for age 3 through Grade 12 schools in how to educate during the pandemic, and the school was featured in several media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal. We are proud of what we accomplished and grateful for the members of our community who made our Return to Campus Plan possible. Without philanthropy, the recommendations of our expert COVID-19 task force, composed of world-class physicians, scientists and academics, would have been just that—recommendations. Your support allowed us to act quickly and efficiently. Funded by philanthropy, our COVID-19 protocols sprang from diverse thinking, integration of ideas, constant questioning, acceptance of uncertainty and willingness to adjust in real time. Every day we strive to create learning environments that provide opportunities for students to do the same. In doing so, they build skill sets necessary to thrive and lead in a global and hyper-connected world. Every year, parents, grandparents, alumni and friends have partnered with LJCDS to educate for the future. Financial contributions continued to allow us to keep our model of education rooted in the tried and true, but ever relevant. As the pace of change continues at increasing rates, so too will the adaptation of our curriculum and instruction. Knowing we have the support of our school community will allow us to not only keep pace with the world today but also anticipate and innovate.

Lisa Bicker Vice President Hal Dunning Treasurer Karen Deschaine Secretary Yuriko Anton Charles Bergan Scott Cartwright Jack Chitayat Sandra Coufal Russell Holmes Bob Kain James Kelly Faisel Khan Marina Marrelli Dana Meiselman Amy Glass Mischler ’91 Jennifer O’Brien

With our deepest and sincerest gratitude,

Jeff O’Neill Micah Parzen Lorri Sulpizio Tony Toranto Susan Tousi

Gary Krahn, Ph.D. Head of School

Lucy Smith Conroy ’90 2020–2021 President Board of Trustees

Jing Zeng E X- O F F I C I O M E M B E R

Gary Krahn, Ph.D. Head of School

Office of Philanthropy

Philanthropy C E L E BR AT IN G 95 Y EA R S O F G I V I N G

CELEBRATING 95 YEARS OF GIVING

1926

1942 WI ST E RIA C OT TAG E

Balmer’s unique and engaging teaching style attracted attention from the community. The school began to grow and eventually moved to Wisteria Cottage, which was loaned by Ellen and Roger Revelle, marking the first documented occurrence of parent philanthropy.

BALMER SCHOOL FOU N D ED

1955–1960

1961

GR OWTH AND OPPORTU NITY

NEW BEGINNINGS ON

• Headmaster Don Leavenworth joins the newly rechartered La Jolla Country Day School.

GENESEE AVENU E

• Louise Balmer retires. • One grade per year is added and enrollment grows to more than 100 students. • A successful capital campaign raises more than $450,000 ($4,000,000 in today’s dollars) to build our new campus on Genesee Avenue.

48 | | 2019–2020 48 2020–2021 RReEpPoO r tRoTnOGNi vGi nI V g ING

1970

1960

In a small, cozy cottage in downtown La Jolla, Louise Balmer opened the Balmer School with just four students and three teachers.

1950

1940

1930

1920

Since our founding in 1926, philanthropy and tuition have funded the expert blend of traditional and progressive education for which LJCDS is known.

• Designed by architect and parent Frederick Liebhardt, La Jolla Country Day School moves to its current location on Genesee Avenue. • The original school bell is relocated to the Upper School. Today, the ringing of the bell marks an important milestone for all graduating seniors.

1994– 2021

MODERN DAY PHILANTHROPY

2016 1987 A L M A M AT E R

Music Educator Keith Heldman and the Class of 1987 write the LJCDS Alma Mater.

2015 GARY KRAH N, Ph.D., J O INS L J C DS AS H E AD O F S CH O O L .

All hail, to Alma Mater praise, To Country Day our voice we raise. Our loyalty we pledge to you, With colors proud, the white and blue. Memories of friendships made, Through time and travel will not fade. As years go by and pass away, We pledge our hearts to Country Day.

Lucy Smith Conroy ’90 and Ambrose Conroy model alumni engagement by creating the senior class gift tradition, in which seniors make their first monetary gifts as alumni upon graduating—a powerful show of appreciation. The Conroys matched the class of 2016’s first six years of giving.

2030

2020

2010

2000

1990

1980

Forward-thinking donors made transformational gifts to the school, providing necessary resources to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and exploration. Those gifts have supported projects including, but not limited to, the Jacobs Family Library, the Four Flowers Theater, Smith Gymnasium and Ings Family Field.

2026

LA JOLLA C OUN T RY DAY SCHOOL C ELEB R AT ES ITS CENTE N N I A L!

2020–2021

• Greatest need contributions (Country Day Fund) reach $1.67 million—a recordbreaking year! • La Jolla Country Day School recognizes its 95th academic year. • The Class of 2021 continues the senior class gift tradition by donating a collective gift of $4,156—a new record! Office OfficeofofPhilanthropy Philanthropy | | 49 49

Financial Highlights

20 20 – 2 0 2 1

Income*

Expenses*

$43,530,576

$43,761,471

TOTAL OPER ATING EXPENSES

TOTAL O PE RATING INCO ME

$39,461,865

$970,313

$24,824,568

$2,967,572

T UIT IO N & F EE S

INVE STME NT & OTH E R INCO ME

SALAR IES & BENEFITS

DEBT SERVICE

$2,526,050 P HIL A N T H RO PY

$803,243 G OVE RNME NT G RANT

$5,231,904

$1,402,740

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

ADMINISTR ATIVE

$4,662,720

$493,825

FACILITIES & OPERATIONS

R ESERVES

$3,947,247

* BASED ON AUDITED GAAP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF 9/29/21, EXCLUDING GAINS/LOSSES AND INCLUDING PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS ON DEBT.

INSTRUCTION

I give back to Country Day first and foremost as an acknowledgment that the school had a meaningful effect on shaping the trajectory of my life and the person I’ve become. Noah Blake ’89

2019–2020 R e p o r t o n G i v i n g

Philanthropy UP WARD MOME N T U M

Year-by-Year Total Giving $2.5m $2.0m $1.5m

$2,094,858

$2,105,090

2016–2017

2017–2018

$2,533,637

$2,383,073

$2,167,280

$1.0m $0.5m $0

Average Gift by Constituency

2018–2019

NAIS BENCHMARK

$21,584

2020–2021

Total Parent Participation by Class Year

LJCDS COMMUNITY

T R U ST E E S

2019–2020

100%

$9,320

$3,748

PA RE N TS / G UA RD IA NS

$1,980

$3,159

PA RE N TS OF A LUM NI

$2,020

50%

$1,974

G R A N D PA RE N TS

$1,810

$1,108

A LUM N I

$1,114

$360

’21

’23

’22

’24

’25

’27

’26

’28

’30

’29

’31

’33

’32

$255

’34

0% ’35

FAC ULT Y & STA F F

CLASS OF PER NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (NAIS) BENCHMARKING OF ALL MEMBER SCHOOLS FOR 2020/2021

Parent Participation

73%

PA R T I C I PAT I O N , C O M PA R E D TO 6 9 % PA R T I C I PAT I O N I N 2019–2020

New Parent Participation

Faculty/Staff Participation

$2,027 72%

46%

AV E R AG E GIFT

O F N E W PA R E N T S D O N AT E D $ 1 ,0 0 0 +

O F N E W PA R E N T S D O N AT E D I N 2020–2021

LJCDS FACULTY/STAFF NAIS BENCHMARK

92% 70%

100%

Office of Philanthropy

Impact 20 20 – 20 21

GREATEST NEED

Country Day Fund (cdf)

Philanthropy is critical to advancing the mission and promise of La Jolla Country Day School. LJCDS relies on philanthropy from every member of our school community, including current parents, grandparents, alumni and their families, students, faculty/staff, corporations and friends. Why? Tuition alone has never been enough to fund a school that is academically, artistically and athletically at the caliber of LJCDS. Greatest need dollars, just like tuition revenue, are flexible and have a reach that is both far and wide. Because of this, they make a great deal possible and are the school’s number one philanthropic priority, year after year. Donors to LJCDS’ greatest need are noted by [•] in the column titled “CDF” on the 2020–2021 list of donors located on pages 69–79.

We believe that students learn most efficiently in the presence of friends and teachers. Fortunately, Dr. Krahn’s powerful Return to Campus Plan allowed our children to return to the classroom this past academic year, in the best and safest learning environment. It is only with charitable donations that this possibility became a reality. Carina and Cody Sun, Parents of Cindy ’20 and Coco ’26

52 | | 2019–2020 52 2020–2021 RReEpPoO r tRoTnOGNi vGi nI V gING

Year-by-Year Greatest Need Giving $1.5m

$1.0m

$1,055,825

$1,229,916

$1,400,976

$1,500,180

$1,670,962

$1,670,962* TOTAL RAISED FOR GREATEST NEED IN 2020–2021. ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR!

$0.5m

*Includes CDF restricted giving.

$0 2016–2017

2017–2018

2018–2019

2019–2020

2020–2021

934

Average Gift Amount to ljcds’ Greatest Need

G R E AT E S T NEED DONORS IN 2020–2021

$2,000

$1,500

$1,000

$500 2016–2017

2017–2018

2018–2019

2019–2020

2020–2021

$1,263

$1,439

$1,458

$1,540

$1,793

L J C D S WA S R E C O G N I Z E D LO C A L LY A N D N AT I O N A L LY F O R I T S R E T U R N TO C A M P U S P L A N BY N E W S O U T L E T S , I N C LU D I N G C B S 8 A N D T H E WA L L ST R E E T J O U R N A L .

Office OfficeofofPhilanthropy Philanthropy | | 53 53

I M PACT O F YO UR SUPPORT: GREATEST N EED

Greatest need dollars are powerful because they flow into the budgeting process to fund initiatives that benefit all students from Tiny Torreys to Upper School, while at the same time empowering school leadership to address pressing needs in real time. In addition to funding COVID-19 protocols, these flexible dollars made a variety of programs possible. Pathways, a workshop in creative negotiation, brought LJCDS students together with Israeli and Australian students to learn how to find mutually beneficial solutions for difficult problems. Artist-inresidence and Emmy Award-nominated musician Jarrett Johnson worked with our talented Madrigal Singers and performed with them at Blue Bash. Torrey Mock Trial won first place out of 27 competing teams at the San Diego County High School Mock Trial Competition, qualifying to compete in their first California State Championship. C OVI D - 1 9 TAS K F OR C E

Our COVID-19 Task Force, composed of world-class physicians, scientists and academics, provided the expertise that informed our Return to Campus Plan. has been the biomedical advisor for the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation since 2001 and a member of their Global Pandemic Response Team since 2009. She is the co-founder, director and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Tricida, Inc., and the co-founder and co-manager of Sibling Capital Ventures, LLC, a private venture capital firm investing in medicine, chemistry, technology and material sciences. SANDRA I. COUFAL, M.D., P’16 ’23

ROGER MILLS, M.D., P’07 ’11 ’20

was involved with the development of antiviral drugs for almost 20 years. He developed drugs for herpes viruses and HIV, including the first HAART triple therapy study. While at Gilead Sciences, he was the head of Tamiflu development for influenza. During that time, he was involved with the national pandemic planning for the H5N1 virus at the CDC together with the DOD, FDA and NIAID.

2019–2020 R e p o r t o n G i v i n g

is the co-founder and former CEO of LunaPBC. LunaPBC subsequently founded LunaDNA, a community-owned platform for health research. At Illumina for 15 years, he led the design and development of the modern, high throughput genome sequencer that brought the cost of human genome sequencing below $1,000. BOB KAIN P’23

is a senior managing director on Evercore ISI’s biotech team, focusing on small, mid and select large-cap biotechnology companies. He was ranked number one in Institutional Investor’s AllAmerica Research Team for SMID Biotech in 2018 and 2019. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, his investigative research has been focused on pandemic issues. JOSH SCHIMMER, M.D., P’24

is the CEO of KBS, the largest privately owned industrial cleaning company in North America. With over 75,000 active customer sites, his firm has been on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing sanitization and disinfection services to clients like Amazon, Target, Kroger and Microsoft. He joined the task force to assist the school in the design and implementation of updated cleaning and disinfection protocols for the campus. MARK MINASIAN P’24

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 0: MON TH OF GIVIN G

Several families stepped forward and pooled five-figure gifts to match contributions made during the Month of Giving. With this match, gifts were doubled during December 2020. On behalf of the community, we extend our deepest gratitude to these families for making LJCDS a philanthropic priority.

Anonymous ljcds Family Lisa and Ben Arnold and Family Jaclyn and Rob Bralower and Family Alan Braynin and Family Carina and Cody Sun and Family Rosee and Christian Voigtlander and Family

C ORPO RATE M ATCHIN G GIFTS

Many local and national companies match employees’ charitable donations, doubling their impact. To learn if your company will match your contribution, please visit www.ljcds.org/giving.

TO P C O RP ORAT E MATC H ING G IF T C O MPANIE S

Qualcomm

Artisan Partners

Hyosung Holdings USA, Inc.

The Walt Disney Company Foundation

Sempra Energy Foundation

Cymer

Baupost Group LLC

R.A.R.E. Global Enterprises, Inc.

Morgan Stanley

Sony Interactive Media

Intuit

The Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation

89%

C O M PA N I E S M ATC H E D GIFTS IN 2020–2021

I N C R E A S E I N M ATC H I N G G I F T S , F R O M 3 7 I N 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 TO 70 IN 2020–2021

LJCDS has been like a home and family to me for nearly 25 years. My contribution is a commitment to the continued excellence we have always had at this school.

Lori Long, Middle School Educator

$102,597 TOTA L R A I S E D T H R O U G H M ATC H I N G G I F T S , C O M PA R E D TO $ 7 4 , 4 0 5 I N 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0

$2,386 AV E R AG E M ATC H I N G G I F T C O M PA R E D TO $ 1 , 8 1 5 I N 2019–2020

Office of Philanthropy

Impact 20 20 – 20 21

BLUE BASH One of La Jolla Country Day School’s most time-honored traditions is our annual Parents Association gala, Blue Bash—a night we gather as a community to celebrate LJCDS while raising funds needed to fuel our school’s success. Historically grossing over a half a million dollars annually for tuition assistance, faculty and staff professional growth, the ongoing work of the Parents Association, and the school’s endowment, this year’s Blue Bash was record-breaking. With an enthusiastic planning committee and innovative in-person and virtual format, nearly 400 guests from around the country celebrated our thriving LJCDS community! Donors to Blue Bash 2021 are noted by [•] in the column titled “BB” on the 2020–2021 list of donors located on pages 69–79.

Over the past few years, I have developed an interest in fashion, but lacked hands-on experience in the field. Blue Bash auctioned off a day of mentorship with an alumna fashion merchandiser for Diane von Furstenberg in New York City, and I knew this was the perfect opportunity to learn more about my possible career path in fashion. Upon arriving at DVF in New York City, I was greeted by Arlene Olvera ’05 and was soon listening in on her meeting with Nordstrom, where she presented an unreleased line. I walked away knowing I wanted to pursue fashion, which might not have happened if I didn’t shadow Arlene. Kaia Brown ’21

56 | | 2019–2020 56 2020–2021 RReEpPoO r tRoTnOGNi vGi nI V gING

F U ND S RAI S ED BENEFIT:

Parents Association Activities: PA activities are important ways to support campus. This special group of parents is ever-present, embracing our school community each and every day of the year.

Endowment: A strong endowment provides LJCDS with a steady source of revenue and is essential to the long-term stability of a first-class educational institution.

Tuition Assistance: A diverse community contributes to a more enriching teaching and learning experience. Tuition assistance helps develop and sustain a diverse student body representing various cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Faculty/Staff Professional Growth: To remain on the leading edge of pedagogy, faculty and staff continually ensure their craft is second to none. From conferences to global excursions, new learning experiences equip our educators with ways to innovate in their LJCDS classrooms.

Year-by-Year Blue Bash Giving $600k

$567,155 $400k

$617,020 $512,532

$627,288 $535,721

CO-CHAIR S

Angela DeJarnette Jenna Stein

$200k

BLU E BASH GIFTS-I N -K I N D

$0 2017

793

2018

2019

2020

I N D I V I D UA L B I D S W E R E P L AC E D O N 1 9 5 AU C T I O N PAC K AG E S

$335,000+ 36

WA S D O N AT E D D U R I N G T H E PA D D L E R A I S E TO S U P P O R T T U I T I O N A S S I S TA N C E —A B LU E BASH RECORD!

2021

Hundreds of faculty/staff, families, alumni, local businesses and organizations donated gifts-in-kind for our silent and live auctions. As one-of-a-kind opportunities and experiences, they brought in nearly $150,000. For more information on becoming an auction donor, please visit ljcds.org/bluebash.

FA M I LY A N D C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R S S U P P O R T E D T H I S Y E A R ’ S E V E N T, C O M PA R E D TO 2 5 I N 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0

Office OfficeofofPhilanthropy Philanthropy | | 57 57

A RT IST- I N- RES I D E N C E PROGRAM

Throughout LJCDS’ long history, the Artist-in-Residence program has afforded students the opportunity to work alongside talented artists to learn new pathways of thinking, seeing and feeling. This year, students learned from and worked with professional singer, songwriter and producer, Jarrett Johnson. Jarrett and Caroline Becker, Middle and Upper School choral and music director, had dreamed of such a partnership for years. As COVID-19 provided flexibility in Jarrett’s schedule, he seized the opportunity to teach virtual and in-person Middle School composition classes, the concert choir and the Madrigals in the Upper School. Jarrett’s artist-in-residency culminated in a wonderful performance with the Madrigals at Blue Bash. Three songs were masterfully performed and reminded attendees of the important role philanthropy plays on our campus.

After almost an entire year of online learning, the Madrigal Singers had lost a lot of confidence. I remember the day that Jarrett Johnson first came to work with us in person, and he got us standing up and clapping, moving around, and it totally changed how our choir performed. As someone who wants to pursue a career in music, being able to work with someone who is actively working in the industry was so valuable. I hope this program continues so more students get to have this amazing experience.

Emma Ragen ’22

2019–2020 R e p o r t o n G i v i n g

Office of Philanthropy |

Impact 20 20 – 20 21

TUITION ASSISTANCE A Powerful Philanthropic Investment

An exceptional education correlates to an exceptional student body—one that abounds with smart, talented and ambitious young people, including applicants whose families lack the financial means to pay full tuition. A diverse student body provides all students with critically important exposure to different backgrounds, stories and perspectives. Studies show that multiple viewpoints within groups generate better ideas, sharpen problem-solving skills and deepen empathy, all of which will successfully position our students to lead, influence and navigate today’s global world with sophistication and dignity. A N O PPO RTUNI TY TO HON OR

Teachers change lives. During national Teacher Appreciation Week, members of the LJCDS community showed their gratitude for our impactful educators by making gifts to tuition assistance that totaled $78,000. Just as an exceptional education correlates to an exceptional student body, it also correlates to exceptional teachers. Because tuition

assistance allows the most talented students to attend LJCDS regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status, our faculty are able to create curriculum and learning environments that harness the exchange of diverse perspectives, experiences and beliefs that power global citizenship.

Donors to tuition assistance are noted by [·] in the column titled “TA” on the 2020–2021 list of donors, located on pages 69–79.

Education is the best equalizer and stabilizer for the development of society. Today, there are many talented children who do not have access to the education they deserve. We contribute our share to allow those children the opportunity to realize their full potential. Liqun Wang and Marco Londei, Farfy Foundation

60 | | 2019–2020 2020–2021 RReEpPoO r tRoTnOGNi vGi nI V gING

At Blue Bash 2020, PAU L I N A PEREZ- CU RI EL ’ 14 shared her inspiring story of how tuition assistance impacted her life. Paulina’s dream has always been to become a physician’s assistant, and in September 2021, she began studying at Yale University to fulfill her dream. It’s a domino effect. If it were not for the many people who believed and supported me throughout high school, I wouldn’t have believed in myself to take the leap and now be attending Yale. I am truly grateful for that.

After graduating cum laude from Santa Clara University’s Honors Program and the University of San Diego Law School, A N A MA RI A BU RG O S - S O L I S ’ 10 was commissioned in the United States Navy, JAG Corps. She currently serves as Defense Counsel at DSO West and has orders to DSO Pacific where she will run her own office in Guam as defense council for the U.S. Navy. All of these achievements are, in large part, a result of the education I received at La Jolla Country Day School. Our caring faculty and generous donors who invested in tuition assistance made all the difference. I will always be a grateful Torrey!

has risen through the ranks of the fashion world, currently working at Diane von Furstenberg, where she is responsible for U.S. wholesale.

A R L E NE O LVERA ’ 05

It has been 22 years since receiving tuition assistance, and I can definitively say that my LJCDS education has played an invaluable role in shaping my path and instilling in me a reminder to carry the six pillars of character in everything I do. Now, I am grateful to be in a position to give back to the institution that gave so much to me.

$409,008

TOTA L G I F T S TO T U I T I O N A S S I S TA N C E

$5.2M

FINANCIAL A S S I S TA N C E AWA R D E D I N 2020–2021

100%

OF STUDENTS ON TUITION A S S I S TA N C E I N T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1 AT T E N D P O S TS E C O N DA R Y E D U C AT I O N

Office OfficeofofPhilanthropy Philanthropy | | 61 61

Impact 20 20 – 20 21

ALUMNI GIVING We always say, “once a Torrey, always a Torrey.” Alumni remain exceptional supporters of LJCDS long after their years on Genesee Avenue. Their dedication enriches the experiences of the Torreys following in their footsteps. During the 2020–2021 school year, 15 alumni joined the re-established Alumni Council, serving as the leaders of the alumni community. They gave their time by volunteering for a variety of school initiatives and events. Alumni donated $153,990 to help support tuition assistance, arts, athletics, community service, Blue Bash and more. We offer our utmost gratitude to all of our alumni for the countless ways they continue to devote themselves to LJCDS. A LU M NI CO NTRI BUTION S AT BLUE BASH

We are grateful for the wonderful ways alumni supported Blue Bash 2021. Seventeen alumni donated a total of 24 items to the silent auction, raising a total of $23,640. Additionally, seven alumni across the country volunteered at the virtual event, greeting guests and making the evening a special experience for all. We thank the following alumni for donating their time, talent and treasure to make Blue Bash a success: TR U E BLUE TUES DAY

December 1, 2020 was True Blue Tuesday, our annual alumni day of giving in conjunction with Giving Tuesday. Each gift was doubled by a pooled matching gift from current LJCDS families, and helped unlock all $10,500 of the day’s challenge funds put forth by six generous alumni. A total of $29,710 was raised by alumni for True Blue Tuesday 2020 compared to $7,240 in 2019. 62 | | 2019–2020 62 2020–2021 RReEpPoO r tRoTnOGNi vGi nI V gING

Nina Church Barber ’12 Nikki McIntyre Blackman ’97 Noah Blake ’89 Karen Brecka Borowick ’78 Darya Daneshmand ’19 Rachael Lawrence Douglass ’95 Tommy Edman ’13 John Hansbrough ’08 Jessica Hershfield ’08 Alyssa Jaffe ’16 Hunter Khaleghi ’11 Ethan Krant ’14

Amanda Smith Latimer ’95 Christian Malecot ’08 Lindsey Thompson McGrath ’96 Matthew McGrath ’95 Chase Mertz ’11 Ryan Morgan ’06 Arlene Olvera ’05 Griffin Osborne ’14 Brian Overstreet ’90 Kerith Michelson Overstreet ’90 Amy Smith Ragen ’94 Alaciel Torres ’12

Country Day has given me so many opportunities to give back. The service program and education is amazing. Olivia Brass ’21

S ENI O R CL AS S GIFT

The Senior Class Gift has been a meaningful senior year tradition since 2016, and marks the first gifts given to LJCDS by members of the graduating class. It is the senior class’s way of showing gratitude for LJCDS and impactful teachers, coaches, mentors and programs. Every year, the senior class is generously matched by a senior LJCDS family. Gifts from the Class of 2021 were matched their senior year, and will continue to be matched for the next two years of giving by Leann and Terry Gooding, parents of Phillip Gooding ’21. The Senior Class Gift has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 2016, and the Class of 2021 boldly continued the legacy set by their predecessors—raising the highest dollar amount of any class thus far with a total gift of $4,460.

has enjoyed a successful career in finance in New York City. Over his years as a portfolio manager, he realized his real passion in life revolves around helping people. NE A L C H A NDO K E ’9 9

Neal has never forgotten his La Jolla Country Day School roots. Moving to La Jolla from the East Coast his freshman year, he fondly remembers the friends he made and the teachers and coaches who helped him develop a sense of purpose and confidence.

$24,288 TOTA L C O N T R I B U T E D T H R O U G H THE SENIOR CLASS GIFT PROGRAM (2016–2021)

$4,460 TOTA L R A I S E D BY T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 1 —A R E C O R D - B R E A K I N G S E N I O R CLASS GIFT

Neal is grateful for all the ways LJCDS worked with him and his family to provide tuition assistance, offer solutions and remove obstacles in the way of his education. This sense of gratitude led Neal to reach out to see how he could make a difference in the lives of current Torreys. At Blue Bash, Neal announced his first gift of a full tuition for the 2021–2022 school year and encouraged all to join him in this act of philanthropy. Neal said, “This is just the beginning!” He hopes his example will encourage and inspire others to give. As he said, “That’s the world I want to live in.” We are grateful for his vision and leadership.

Office OfficeofofPhilanthropy Philanthropy | | 63 63

Impact 20 20 – 20 21

PROGRAMMATIC GIVING Gifts that support specific programs help LJCDS enhance its offerings. The impacts of these philanthropic donations include (but are not limited to): P HI L ANTH RO PY PARTNER S

VISUAL AND P E RF O RM ING ARTS

A N D S ERVI CE- L EARNING

At LJCDS, students have an equal opportunity to explore and develop their artistic side. Guiding them on their creative journeys is a group of arts educators who are also working artists. Because of this, students benefit from being mentored by both teachers and practitioners. As a result, our young artists are encouraged to take risks, find their own voices and learn to work collaboratively in the studio, gallery and theater.

Social responsibility is an integral part of the mission of La Jolla Country Day School. The school’s promise, inspiring greatness for a better world, includes learning from others and using that knowledge to help make the community stronger. Students experience the impact of meaningful service-learning with a combination of classroom discussions and lessons, hands-on opportunities and thoughtful reflections.

Today more than ever, the inequities across society are deeply evident. It’s especially important for privately educated students to understand and appreciate the great privilege they’ve been afforded and to utilize that privilege to help those less fortunate. We contribute to the Philanthropy Partners program because it serves as a practical way for students to learn about the many needs that exist across underserved communities, and to evaluate causes and organizations in order to direct funds objectively. Anonymous LJCDS Parent

64 | | 2019–2020 64 2020–2021 RReEpPoO r tRoTnOGNi vGi nI V g ING

AT HL E TIC S

The LJCDS Athletic Leadership program equips students with the essential skills to become effective leaders on the field, on the court, or in the pool, as well as in life. They develop the character, accountability, responsibility, compassion, courage, determination, integrity and perseverance needed to become servant leaders. At LJCDS, KE L SE Y P LU M ’ 1 3 had an infectious passion for the game of basketball that inspired and energized players and coaches alike. She worked hard, stayed positive and supported her teammates in becoming their very best, leading the 2012 LJCDS basketball team to the CIF state championship. After graduation, Kelsey played basketball for the University of Washington, scoring a career-high 57 points on senior night and breaking the NCAA Division I women’s basketball all-time scoring record. In 2017, Kelsey was the first overall draft pick by the San Antonio Stars. She continued to play for the franchise after it relocated to Las Vegas as the Las Vegas Aces. In May 2021, Kelsey was selected to represent Team USA on the Women’s 3×3 Basketball Team at the Tokyo Olympics, winning the gold medal. The LJCDS Football program instills the pursuit of excellence alongside teamwork, humility and patience, and provides mentorship from accomplished upperclassmen that is invaluable to younger teammates. We are so grateful to the supportive staff of coaches who steward these athletes in both joyful and challenging times toward achieving their personal growth and exemplifying leadership traits on campus. Plus, we all love Friday night lights!

ACADE M IC S

LJCDS academics are of the highest caliber. Students not only learn from world-class educators in the classroom, but they also take advantage of a myriad of enriching opportunities outside of it. In conjunction with her Environmental Systems Arts and Culture class, ABIGAIL DERENDINGER ’21 worked with the Frosted Faces Foundation to combine two of her passions: animal rescue and environmental sustainability. She volunteered at the foundation and created a compelling video as part of her senior service project, which led to a donation of $1,000 to the Frosted Faces Foundation from the Middle School philanthropy elective.

Chrysa Mineo and Mark Stephenson

Donors to all programmatic areas are noted by [•] in the column titled “PRG” on the 2020–2021 list of donors located on pages 69–79. Office OfficeofofPhilanthropy Philanthropy | | 65 65

Support 20 20 – 20 21 $X–$XXX continued

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

OUR DONORS

1,057

We are grateful for our generous 2020–2021 donors. Gifts are listed by total giving to one or more of ljcds’ funding priorities.

DONORS FOR 2020–2021

Since joining the LJCDS community, we have prioritized our giving to LJCDS because we see results in action. This became powerfully evident in the school’s ability to navigate through an unprecedented pandemic. We have witnessed the school’s unwavering commitment to protect the entire LJCDS community through advanced safety measures, sophisticated thought leadership and the nimbleness to quickly adapt and enable a safe learning environment. Our family is especially thankful to have our contribution uniquely matched through Sempra Energy’s employee giving program to further help support the important vision of LJCDS. P

Zoraya and Richard Griffin

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

A F F I L IAT ION A N N OTATIO NS

Students/Alumni ’XX Students/Alumni P Parents/Guardians P Parents/Guardians Po Parents of Alumni Po Parents of Alumni G Grandparents and G Grandparents and Grandparents Grandparents of Alumniof Alumni AFFILIATION ANNOTATIONS

’xx

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

FU ND ANNOTATIONS FUND ANNOTATIONS Faculty and Staff F Faculty and Staff Fr Friends of LJCDS CDF Country Day Fund Fr Friends of LJCDS BB Blue Bash 5 5 years of consecutive giving 5 5 years of consecutive giving PRG Programmatic Giving 1� 10 years of consecutive giving 1� 10 years of consecutive giving TA Tuition Assistance Deceased Deceased GIK Gift-in-Kind

2020–2021 R E P O R T O N G I V I N G

Country Day Fund Blue Bash PRG Programmatic Giving TA Tuition Assistance GIK Gift-in-Kind CDF

$50,000–$99,999 Anonymous 5

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

• •

Yuriko and Philip Anton P 5

• • • •

EE Ford Foundation Fr Nicole and Michael Kelly

• • •

Chrysa Mineo and Mark Stephenson P

• • • • •

Carina and Cody Sun P, Po

•

Anonymous (2) 5

• •

Ana and Erik Barajas P

• •

$10,000–$24,999 continued

Baupost Group LLC Fr

•

Kimberly and James Peterson P

Lara Saft and Marty Beard P, Po 5

• •

•

Sara Browne and Chris Richey Po 5

Lisa Kanetake and Charles Bergan P 5

•

• •

Sempra Energy Fr

•

Diane and John Berol P, Po

•

Rochelle and William Bold P

• •

Jaclyn and Robert Bralower P Alan Braynin P Kathleen and Edward Brown

$25,000–$49,999

•

Yolanda Shen ’31

•

• •

•

• •

Jennifer O’Brien and David Stickney P 1�

• •

•

Karin and Anthony Toranto P 1�

• •

Min and Yannan Wang P

•

Jamie Resnik Wechter and Kevin Wechter P, Po 1�

• •

Linda Smith Wendfeldt and Stephen Wendfeldt G, Po

•

• • •

Nikoo and Jack Chitayat

• •

•

Arathi Hattiangadi and Ramakrishna Chunduru P, Po

•

Lesley and David Cohn G

• •

Lucy Smith Conroy ’90 and Ambrose Conroy P 1�

• •

Sandra and Frank Coufal

Ron Coughlin P

•

Durana and Shahab Elmi P

•

Tricia and Rogelio Estrada P 1�

•

• •

Lisa and Ben Arnold P

• •

Neal Chandoke ’99

•

Tina Lee and Hyunjoon Cho P

Farfy Foundation, founded by Liqun Wang and Marco Londei Fr Teri Sulpizio and Norm Hamson

• • •

• •

•

P, Po

• •

The Eastham Family

•

Rebecca and James Brewer P 1�

• •

Natalia and Mark Burgett P

•

Inna and James Kelly P

•

Stacey and Krishen Iyer P

•

Muniba and Faisel Khan P

• •

Ranelle and Robert Kain P 1�

• •

Fiona Kaper and Reza Kasnavi P

•

Janna Smith Lang and Kurt Lang G 1�

•

Amanda Smith Latimer ’95 and Troy Latimer P 5

• •

•

Jaime and Michael Choi P

•

Nicole and Benjamin Clay G

•

Jennifer and Michael Cotton P

•

Mingqing Yang and Qichang Feng P 5

•

Xu Yang and Feng Gao P

Gaby and Richard Sulpizio G 5

•

Michelle Lord P

Lorri Sulpizio

• •

•

Linda and Robert Luddy P

Rosee and Christian Voigtlander P

• •

•

Marina and Mark Minasian P

Jing Zeng Po 5

• •

•

P 1�

•

• •

Rachel Grassi and Shaun Greager P • Zoraya and Richard Griffin P

•

Carol Lee Hangartner and Jonathan Hangartner P

• •

Akemi and Ed Harbach P 5

•

Dawn and Peter Holman

• •

Amy Glass Mischler ’91 and Robert Mischler P 5

• •

Kathryn McCoy-O’Neill and Jeffrey O’Neill P 5

•

Intuit Fr

•

Ciara and Dermot O’Shea P

• •

Kanako and Nobuya Ishizaka P

• •

Charles Patton P

• •

•

Kimberly and Jeffrey Goldman

Kenenawit and Corey Liuget P

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

• • •

•

• •

Autism Spectrum Consultants Fr

Susan Tousi and Randall Camp P, Po 1� •

Candice and Joshua Schimmer P

•

Suzanne Bevash P 5

Hyosung Holdings USA, Inc. Fr

Qualcomm Incorporated Fr

•

Maryjo Harbert and Rashid Attar P

Paula and John Gambs G 1�

•

• •

Anonymous (3) 5

• • • •

Fiona Mackin-Jha and Sanjay Jha P, Po 1�

Dana and Carter Meiselman P 5

• •

Angela Hansen Fukumura and Koji Fukumura P, Po 1�

• •

•

• •

Therese Collins and Byron Georgiou P

• •

Christine Cernosia and David Alberga P 5

• •

•

$5,000–$9,999

Elizabeth and Michael Fried P

•

Lisa Bicker Martin and Jeffrey Martin P, Po 1�

•

Jessica and Michael Feinman P 5

• •

Jeffrey Hogue P

YMCA of San Diego County Fr

•

Hilary and Warren Dunning Po 5 G

•

Elizabeth and David Sigal F 5

Corinna and Patrick Casey P 5

Anonymous

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

• •

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Office of Philanthropy

Support 20 20 – 20 21 CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$5,000–$9,999 continued Seda Badalyan and Edward Kocharian P

•

Paula and Gary Krahn G, F 5

•

Tammie and Daniel Kramer P 1�

• •

Samantha Wilson ’05 and Michael Landau

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Haibo Yu and Haibo Xie P 5

•

Wendy and William Love P, Po

•

Patricia and Michael Mogul P 5

• •

Morgan Stanley Fr

•

• •

Harold Nam ’84

•

$2,500–$4,999 Ilene and Laurence Abramson G

Karen Deschaine

• •

Laney and Kevin Alexander P

• •

Laura Crotty Alexander and Tom Alexander P

• •

•

Anonymous (5)

• •

Alexia Brown and Michael Finch

•

Cambra and Phillip Finch P 5

•

Allison and Edward Fitzgerald P

• •

Amy Smith Ragen ’94 and Francis Ragen P

•

Marilyn and Michael Rosen P, G, Po 1� • P

P 1�

Veena and Naveen Singh P, Po 1�

Agnes Chu ’98 and Thomas Gilmore 5

•

Erika and Chad Givens P

• • • •

•

Gay and William Borsari

•

Lynn and Richard Gordon G

•

Sarah Stenn and James Grabb P

•

Julie and Randy Hack P

•

Heather Muns-Socol and Randy Socol P 1�

• •

Jolie and Glenn Buberl

William Stickney P

Julie and Tim Bubnack

• •

Yuan Wang and Jie Tian P

• •

Jean and John Vukotich G 1�

•

Rachel Hamlin and Gabriel Wallach P

•

Yinli Luo and Wei Cai

Vanessa and Robert Calderon P, F 5

•

• • •

•

Carolyn and Malcolm Wiener Po

Sarah and Po-Jen Cheng

•

Thomas Wiener ’19

•

Heather Lauter-Clay and Jonathan Clay P Farrah and Larry Cohen

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

AFFILIATION ANNOTATIONS

P, Po 5

Faculty and Staff Friends of LJCDS 5 5 years of consecutive giving 1� 10 years of consecutive giving Deceased F

CDF BB

2020–2021 R E P O R T O N G I V I N G

PRG TA GIK

• •

Alyssa Helfand ’18

•

Wendy Helfand P, Po

•

Gregory Hirshman ’07 5

•

Jennifer Li-Hochberg and Jason Hochberg P

• •

Bokyung Lim and Won Hong Fr

•

Elyssa Rosenberg and Lucian Iancovici P

• •

•

Michelle and Scott Jacobson

• •

Country Day Fund Blue Bash Programmatic Giving Tuition Assistance Gift-in-Kind

•

• P

Younga Kim and Kouros Izadi P

FUND ANNOTATIONS

•

Angela and Guy Hart P

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

P 1�

Regina and Anil Hiremath

•

Li Yu and Jingrong Chen P

Ariel Lang and Thomas Welk

•

• •

Pengqiao Huang and Libin Chen P

Lisa and Scott Hackman

• •

Lillian Esponda and Ricardo Cervera P

• •

Students/Alumni Parents/Guardians Po Parents of Alumni G Grandparents and Grandparents of Alumni

• •

•

Xiaoxia Chen and Xinzhi Wang P

•

Barrie Blake and Noah Blake ’89

•

Leeann and Terence Gooding P, Po 1�

Christina and Richard Boynton

•

Christina and Matthew Bernstein P 1� •

Juliesta Sylvester and Tyler Bray P

Ying Song and Xingguo Wu P

•

• •

•

• •

•

Xiaodong Wang and Lihong Fan P

Amy and David French P 1�

•

• •

Laura Mabee Boswell ’94 and Michael Boswell P 5

•

Gordana Djordjevic and Zoran Djuric P

Renee and Jason Benedict P Lindsey and Randal Bennett

•

• •

•

Milivoje and Spomenka Djordjevic G •

Sara and Matthew Bateman P

• • • •

•

Vida and Behnam Badiee P, Po 1�

Cecilia and Eric Benevich P

Angela and Christopher Peto P 5

Michelle and George Ding P

•

• •

Catherine and Christopher Patrick

•

P, Po 1�

Laura Podkolzina and Anuar Akhmejanov P 5

Marguerite and Micah Parzen P P

• • •

•

’XX

•

Cynthia and Steven Denton P

Hyeryun Hwang and Jongsoo Park P

Renata and Sumit Roy

•

Lacy Crawford and Eric David P Dempsey Construction Inc. Fr 5

Louise and Christopher Lischewski P 5

Tiffany and Raymond Rosik

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$2,500–$4,999 continued

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$2,500–$4,999 continued Rina Jain Fr

• •

Sarah and Craig Johnson P

•

Jennifer June

• • •

•

Lisa and Gunnar Kaufmann P 5

•

• •

•

Marcie Sinclair and Andrew Ratner P •

Colleen O’Boyle and Isaac Jones P, F 5 • F

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Sandra Pritzker Po 5

•

Chantal and Michael Reed P 5

• •

•

$1,000–$2,499

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Wendy Abramson P

• •

Heather and John Ace P, Po 5

•

Farzana and Amin Adatiya P

•

Reiko and Steven Afshar

• •

Alejandra Ancona and Gregory Rianhard P

• • •

Satsuki Hendricks and Jin Akanishi P

•

Shaloha and Gary Aires P

•

Yoon and Kris Kim P

• •

Christine and Roland Schwillinski P 5

Jordan Kinkead G

•

Emily and Timothy Scott

Diana and Mark Knickrehm P

•

• •

Shelly and Jason Stewart P

Anonymous (12) 5

• •

Amy and William Koman Po 1�

•

Treger and Robert Strasberg P

•

Eunju and Hyungjae Lee

•

Arthur B. McBride, Sr. Family Foundation Fr 5

•

Courtney and Patrick Sullivan P, F 1�

• •

Artisan Partners Fr

•

Alexandra and Paul Taccone P

• •

Karen Tanz and Stuart Tanz ’76 G

•

Gabriela and Jose Avalos G

•

Michael Lewis

•

Guzainuer Shate and Ming Li P 5

•

Weijian Qian and Ningning Li P

•

Jingjing Wu and Guanglong Li Paulina and Jeffrey Lin Sara and Kevin Lind

True Life Center for Wellbeing Fr

•

P, Po 5

•

Kathryn and Tim Lindlan P 1�

• •

Yuan Vivian Wang and Xun Leo Liu P

• •

Susan and John Magee G 5

• •

Barbara and Ken Magid

Po 1�

Xiwen Zhang and Yuan Mei

•

Bettina and Michael Melvin P 5 Silvana and Alberto Michan

•

• P

• • •

G, Po

P, Po 5

• •

Rebecca Moores G Krista Roybal and Jimmy Moreno P 5

Susan Lennon and Michael Attanasio P

• •

Diane and Roy Bell P

•

Jared Wade ’18

•

Yanxia Qiu and Honglin Bian P

• •

•

Robbi and Steven Wade

•

Cristin and Thomas Bleakley

Margaret and Stephen Waldman P

•

• •

Emma Du and Shui Long Wang P

•

Sarah Tanz and Samuel Blumberg P

• •

Lihong Fan and Xiaodong Wang P

•

Julie Borsa and Adrian Borsa ’84 P 5

• •

Rong Huang and Chunsheng Wang P

• •

Merritt Rosen Brizolis ’05 and Alexander Brizolis ’01 P Holly and Norman Brown P

• •

Claudia Matar De Brun and Fernando Brun P

•

Mary and Charles Brunson P

•

• • • •

•

Sue Zhong and Hai Wu P

• •

•

Ying Zhang and Lu Yang P

•

Eric Yellin Fr

•

P, Po 1�

Kathalynn and Douglas Bryant P 1� Kristine and Jeremy Caldwell

•

• •

Emily Nicolaou and Christopher Nicolaou ’99 P

Emily Zhong and Dong Yuan P

• •

•

Yuan Li and Chao Zhan P

• •

•

Sylvia and Scott Cartwright P 1�

Lan Lin and Gengsheng Zhang P

•

Caterpillar Fr

Ru Wang and Yan Zhang P

•

• •

Seetha Nair and Pratap Chandran P

Yuelian Zhu and Yi Zhao P 5

•

• •

Xiaoqing Guo and Lin Zhou P

Heather Raymon and Mark Chapman P

•

Shiho and Yoshiaki Nishiba

•

Susan and Dutch Nordenger F 1� Rebekah White and Mark Onaitis

• • P

• •

Amy Wax and Sean Oversmith P

• •

Kerrie and Marc Ozarski Fr

•

Meredith and Anu Pathria P

• •

Alan Vitolo and Montgomery Peralta P

•

Allison and Robert Price

G 1�

• • • •

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Ellen Bronchetti and Michael Carson Fr

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Jin Zhang and Qiang Ni P

•

Wenrong Wang Tu and Henry Tu P

Janette and Ilan Wornovitzky P 5

•

Terri and Ed Bacani P, G

Carlie and William Ward

•

Lailani and Aram Mirkazemi P 5

•

• •

City National Bank Fr

•

Maisha Cobb P

• •

Cathy Good and Raymond Cohen G • Suzanne Cohen P

• •

Courtesy Mortgage Company

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Office of Philanthropy

Support 20 20 – 20 21 CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$1,000–$2,499 continued Cymer Fr

•

Marjan and Sean Daneshmand P 1�

•

Meredith Wyman Davis ’01 and Jason Davis ’02 P

•

Andrea and Rolando De Gracia P

• •

Angela and Thomas DeJarnette P 5

• •

Lynn and George Doupsas P, Po 5

• •

Kristen Edman and Thomas Edman ’13

• •

Katey Alexander and Bruce Fayman ’77 Po

•

• •

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Sonia Jain and Phuoc Hong P

• •

Xiaoli Zhou and Zhuan Hong P

•

Catherine and Patrick Hopf Po

•

Christina and Curtis Horton P 5

•

Sherry Bahrambeygui-Hosey ’82 and Patrick Hosey Po 1�

•

Lin Tang and Xiaoyi Hu P

Joy Atienza and Greg Ferguson P 5

•

Tamara and Andrew James P

•

Cecilia and Hanno Kaiser

•

Andrew Kaplan P, Po

•

• •

Pamela and Kenneth Kerper Po

Fan Yang and Ming Gao P

•

Anna Tarvyd Klein and Michael Klein P

•

• •

Andrea Kraay and Hernan Goldsztein P 5

• •

Laurie and John Greenip

Po 5

Leona Lann Fr 5

•

Sandra and Chanwoo Lee

•

Rebecca and Lawrence Newman G

•

Catherine Nolan ’21

• • • •

•

Susan Lacoff and Craig Roberts Fr 1� • Janice and John Rooney P, Po 1�

•

Kelly and Matthew Roosevelt P 5

• •

Michelle O’Donnell and Mike Royal Fr 1�

•

Sage Dining Services, Inc. Fr 5

• •

Ana and Eric Sambold

P, Po

• •

•

Xuemei Wang and Gang Li P

•

Yi Gu and Bing Li P

•

Sandstrand Services Fr

Paul Guckian P

•

Jennifer and Karl Lonbom P

•

Victoria and Andy Sassine P, Po

The Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation Fr

•

Puja and Rohit Loomba P

• •

Patricia Schneider G

Jessica Heldman and Noah Heldman ’90 P 1�

Carrie Battilega Luetzow and William Luetzow P 5

•

Weidong Zou and William Schupp P •

•

Kelly Greenleaf and Michael Magerman Fr 5

•

Muriel and Andrie Grimaud P

Kathy and Paul Hennessey

Nicole and Adam Heyde P Barbara and H. Paul Hirshman Po 1�

•

Brian Hirshman ’02

•

Denise Ajiri and Michael Hirshman ’04

•

Payton and Alphana Hobbs P, F

Amanda Martinez and Sergio Martinez ’05

•

Kiril McKee P 5

•

Christine Perry and David Michelson ’86 P 1�

•

Heather and Nicholas Moore

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

AFFILIATION ANNOTATIONS

Students/Alumni Parents/Guardians Po Parents of Alumni G Grandparents and Grandparents of Alumni ’XX

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

FUND ANNOTATIONS

Faculty and Staff Friends of LJCDS 5 5 years of consecutive giving 1� 10 years of consecutive giving Deceased F

CDF

2020–2021 R E P O R T O N G I V I N G

•

Jean and Michael McGowan P

PRG TA GIK

Country Day Fund Blue Bash Programmatic Giving Tuition Assistance Gift-in-Kind

•

Yu Lin and Todd Levine P

Perry Kirkland and Uriel Grezemkovsky ’87 P

• •

Sumana and Rajesh Rao P Pushpa Vadivel and Hemanth Reddy P

•

The Levine-Gaffney Family P 1�

•

Jean and Brian Murphy P, F 1�

•

R.A.R.E. Global Enterprises, Inc. Fr

• P5

Marylee and Edward Muns G 5

Martha Gonzalez and Matthew Price P

•

Dawn and David Inglish P

•

Lucy and Charlie Postins P

•

Ghita Huffman and Peter Huffman ’97

Judy Fuller and Mark Fuller ’80 P Monica Feinberg-Gizzo and Daniel Gizzo P 1�

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Jenny Bateman Mudge and Wes Mudge G

Katherine and James Sampson P 5

• • • •

Mattie and Michael Seddigh P 5

•

Elizabeth Semenova P 5

•

Michelle Sun and Charles Shen P

• •

Lisa and Charles Singer

•

Lucy and Sidney Smith G, Po 5

•

Sony Interactive Entertainment Fr

•

Emi and Joshua Stech P

• •

Tammy and Antony Stotts

•

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$1,000–$2,499 continued Ye Sun P

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$500–$999

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$500–$999 continued

•

Andrea Bianco and June Acosta P

•

Susan and Leonard Glass G, Po

Amar Thakur P 1�

•

AmazonSmile Fr 5

•

Google Fr

•

Uyen and So Thompson P

•

Anonymous (13) 1� 5

• •

Claudia and Robert Grasso P, F, Po 1�

•

Apple

•

• •

Samantha Greene and Daniel Greene ’94

•

Anu and Sunvir Gujral P

•

Angela Kong and Howard Hang P

• •

Thompson Center for Dentistry

Gabriela Tobal P

• •

Olga and Alexander Avdienko P

Barbara and Richard Toranto G

•

Becton Dickinson Fr

Christina and Juan Tovar P

• •

Veronika Chernyak and Eugene Vaisberg P, Po

•

Tamara Barreto Cidade and Dale Vander Woude P

• •

Michelle and Nathan Vescio Evenson P

• •

Jennifer and Rodolfo Villareal P, Po

•

The Walt Disney Company Foundation Fr

•

Cindy Shen and John Wang P

•

Xin Chen and Jun Wang P

•

Kristin and Simon Williams P 5 Sharon Joyce and Richard Wirtz Po 1� Glen Woods ’05

Maria Isis Avila Munoz and Gerardo Beltran Arellano Fr

• •

Surya Chetlapalli and Naresh Bhavaraju P Simone Verma ’94 and Matthew Bohl P

•

Nada Borsa

Jiming Li and Hong Zhou P Linling He and Jiang Zhu P

• •

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

• •

Masami and David Jenkins F Po 5

•

• •

Jennifer Kagnoff P, Po

•

Katrin Engel and Jeff Brooker P

•

Kusum Sharma and Anoop Karippot P, Po 5

Sarah and Vitor Carvalho P 5

•

Laura and Brian Kelleher P

•

Kristy and Kyle King P, F 5

•

Dianne and Carmy Cesaire

P, F 5

Qi Li and Lixin Cheng P

Pamela Godde and Jay Kopelman Po •

•

Julia Lin and Charles Chiang

•

Laura and George Irvin P 1�

Cindy Bravo F 5

Nancy Conroy G

•

• •

Illumina Fr

Brittany Bradrick

•

Yingxue Zou and Cheng Zhong P

Kimberly and Robert Huntoon F 1�

• •

•

• •

•

Jennifer MacKinnon and Thomas Johnston P

Tanya and Bernard Xavier Po

Martine and Chad Zettle P

•

Yvette and Abe Cohen P

•

Connie and William Hodder P

Hanh Bui and Christian Bose P 1�

•

Han Zheng and Changqing Ye P 5

•

• •

•

Jodi Woods P Yaqin Ma and Dong Yang

•

Jon Herron Fr

•

G, Po

Ronald Cinniger G

•

Lisa Bennet F 1�

•

Danice VonFeldt and Quoc Vo P, F 5

•

• •

•

Sally Krause

•

• •

F 1�

•

Harry Lineback G 5

•

LinkedIn Fr

Katharine Walker and David Copeland P

• •

Ann and Gerald Lipschitz

Karen Bergan and Peter Corrigan P 5

• •

Martha Demski

•

Michael Docherty P Anna and Seth Dorros

Maria and Eric Eastham

•

Leslie Evans and Richard Evans ’68 Michele Celie and Philippe Faurie Kristen and Benjamin Fay P The French Gourmet

Silvana Faria and Eduardo Gil

Victoria Ojeda and Todd Gilmer Catherine Glass G, Po

Vanessa and Will Morrison

• • P

• •

• F

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

• • • •

Alison and Michael Mowrey Po

•

Arzo and Sam Nasiri P

•

Lisa and Mark Needle P, F 1�

•

Margie Newman

• •

•

Lorraine and Arlow Moreland P

• • P

•

Lisa and Jon Mangini P, Po

Mary and Geordie Mitchell F

•

• •

Rashmi and Manish Malhotra P 5

Cindy Bingham and Judy Miller Fr

• P

•

Mony and Thomas Liquard P

Andrea Sotirakopoulos and Jonathan McDooling P

• P

• G

Lindsay and Brandon McCreary

• P

•

Priya and Murali Krishnan P 5

•

Po 5

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Office of Philanthropy

Support 20 20 – 20 21 CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$500–$999 continued Suiko and Michael Nyman P

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Trina and Gregory Wiener Po

Peter Pastuszko P

•

Deserie Pelayo and Jorge Pelayo-Garcia P

•

Maria Melnyk and David Wolstencroft P

Regina Picard Avalos and Raynard Picard Wartenweiler P

• •

Glenda and Lon Poliner

F, Po 1�

Christina Wong and David Poon

Eun Hee and Young Soo Pyo P 5 Yun Gong and Wenbin Qi

•

Molly and Douglas Wright Fr

•

• •

•

Wenping Wang and Shengqi Yang P

•

Yujie Zhou ’22

•

• •

Sharon Li and Liming Yang P

• •

Ruth and John Schmid Po

•

Lisa and Marc Schwartz P

•

Jacqueline Chang and Ross Schwartzberg P, Po 5

•

Sheenoo and Kautilya Sharma P

•

Elena and Semyon Shekhter G, Po Gretchen and James Simpson G 5

• •

Catherine Smith G

•

Robin Stewart F 1�

•

Patricia Harris ’81 and Thomas Swift 5

•

Patricia and Christopher Thorpe Firouzeh and Nader Tirandazi P

•

Rhodaline and Jason Tootell P

• •

•

Sanaa and Sean Torres P

•

Tiffany and Paul Truong F 5

•

Terri Bamford F, Po 5

•

Jeremy Bank

•

Catherine and Gregory Banner P

•

Zachary Banner ’21

•

Vicky Van Meter and Keith Bargroff Po Tei and Donald Barnhart P

•

Marilyn Louise Bates

•

Maria Coppel and Abelardo Acosta P 5

Rachel Baxter F 5

•

Caroline Becker F, Po 5

• •

Sara and Phillip Adams

Patricia Aftahi F 1� Kim and Darren Aires

Kla-Bada Roberson Bee ’96

•

Kim and Shahram Besharati P, Po 5

•

Liam Allford ’21

Jessica Biglin F

•

William Allford P 5

Margi Bingham F, Po 1�

•

Dana and Jeffrey Alligood P, Po

• •

•

Nicole McIntyre Blackman ’97 and Mark Blackman Joshua Blake ’97

•

Joelle Biedenbach and Guillermo Blanco P, F 1�

•

Piers Blyth F

•

Melodie Eagle Anderson ’92 and David Anderson

•

Anonymous (76) 1� 5

• •

Wyatt Anton ’21

• •

•

Andrea Boehme

Jean Appleby and Jeffrey Appleby ’69

•

Jennifer and Jerrold Boock F 1�

•

Makena and Kyle Archer Fr

Karen Brecka Borowick ’78

•

F 1�

Patricia Stickels and Arthur Arnett Fr 1�

•

Shengqi Yang and Wenping Wang P •

•

Yumie and Edmond Aruffo P

George Gomez and Frederic Bossu P

•

Linda and Robert Averbach G

•

Kristi Bowen P

•

Daniella Aviles

•

Riley Bowen ’21

•

Wendy and Chaim Avraham Fr

•

Jack Boynton ’21

•

Kelly and James White P, F 1�

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

AFFILIATION ANNOTATIONS

Students/Alumni Parents/Guardians Po Parents of Alumni G Grandparents and Grandparents of Alumni ’XX

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

FUND ANNOTATIONS

Faculty and Staff Friends of LJCDS 5 5 years of consecutive giving 1� 10 years of consecutive giving Deceased F

CDF

2020–2021 R E P O R T O N G I V I N G

•

PRG TA GIK

Country Day Fund Blue Bash Programmatic Giving Tuition Assistance Gift-in-Kind

•

Tamera and Damon Weisser

•

Yolanda Gloria Medina and Julio Vazquez Ventura P

•

Nadia and Chuck Borowski Scott Fr

Jane and Gabe Watkins P

•

Leyhda and Sandy Acol Po 5

Marina and Shahnaz Alvi P

•

Sylvia Bajor ’94

Nina Church Barber ’12 and Chris Barber

$1–$499

•

Kathleen and Howard Babcock G

•

Carol Lee Rianhard G Jacqueline and Jose Romo

•

Robyn O’Day and Samuel Wood P 5

• • P5

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$1–$499 continued

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$1–$499 continued Joanne Bradley F 1�

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Celestina and Charles Cozic P, Po 5

Brittany Boylan Branning ’93 1�

•

Pierre Cozic ’20

Olivia Brass ’21

•

Cheri and Charles Craig G

Katherine and Charles Brunson G

•

Mary Kalafut and Jose Criado P

•

Michele and Christopher Crocker P

•

Virginia and Will Erickson Fr

•

Ruth Gilbert and Stacy Cromidas Po 1�

•

Estrellita and Ernesto Espiritu G

•

Beth and Bob Cross F 1�

•

• •

Stacey McReynolds-Esquivel and Joseph Esquivel P

Lorrie Culver F 5

•

Christi Evans F

• •

Colin Dalton

•

David Farley ’10

•

Tonja and Damien Fatongia P, F

• •

Victoria Fay G

•

Kate Burnite F Emma Buttery F

Tara Akashi and Darren Cameron P, F • Connie and David Cañez

•

Jocele and James Capaldo P

•

Laura Capolino F

• •

Jan Capon F 5

•

Melissa Carboni F

•

William Carleton ’11

•

Elizabeth and Joseph Cason P 1�

•

Christine and Charlie Chen P

•

Jane Wu and Chixu Chen Po 1�

•

Sophia Cheng ’21

•

Stacy and Gary Chiang

Po 1�

Anne Krepshaw Christon ’95 and Chris Christon Sherry Yang and Ka Chun Chung

•

Shannon Cleary Fr

•

• •

•

Collaborative Dental Care Fr

•

Adrienne and Jarik Conrad P

•

Timothy Corcoran P

•

Kyla Cordill ’21

•

Jessie Corso F

• • Po 5

• •

•

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Vera David

•

Sarah Golden and Scott Feldsher Fr

•

Lauren and Damon Felker P

• • •

Andrea Flagiello F 5

•

Debra and James Dente P

•

Miranda Fleischer P 5

•

Ruth Desantis

•

Catherine and Emmanuel Florendo F 5

•

Jennifer Fogarty F 5

•

Conor Foley F

• •

Melissa Gold Fournier ’93 and Brian Fournier

• •

Danielle Franger ’18

•

Alicia Deutz F 1�

•

Nurzedmaa and Jeffrey DeVine Fr

•

DeVine Consulting, Inc. Fr

•

Andrew Dhus ’17

• •

Janet and Galen Doak

P 1�

•

Michelle Gutierrez Marti and Bruno Fregoso P

• • •

Diane and Michael Frey P 5

•

Karen Frischwasser

•

Neelima and Amol Doshi P

Sabina Szonn and Tim Fullerton P 5 •

•

Lisa and Michael Gallagher P

Yulian Hou and Tony Du P

• •

Brittany Duckworth P

•

Kaya Eastham ’30

•

Samantha Eastham ’34

•

Nancy and Dean Eckenroth Fr

•

Maureen and John Edman F, Po 1�

• •

Emilyn Edquilang

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Briana and Robert Gallo P Marjorie and Charles Garren

•

William Doerge F 1�

•

Christa Demovellan F

•

• •

Caleb Fitzpatrick P

Rachael Lawrence Douglass ’95 and Jamie Douglass

•

Pamela Patterson and David Comfort F, Po 1�

Catherine and James Ellison Po 1�

Kathy and Daniel Dinwiddie P, F, Po 1�

•

Elizabeth Friedman Coley ’79 and Brian Coley

•

Amanda Datnow and Kelly Feist P

Pippa and Scott Dinger G, Po 5

• •

Wendy and Ron Clemente P, F, Po 5

•

Nancy Wilkins-Diehr and Daniel Diehr Po 5

• P

Stacy and Richard Circuit P

Patricia and David Cox

•

Pandelis Chryssostomides ’99

•

David Eisenberg P

•

Elsa and Thomas Dembinski Po

•

Hyun Suk and Sherman Chang P

•

Erin Dasilva F Sally Peters Davidson ’68 and Timothy Davidson

•

Amy Chang F 5

Jenna Dalva F

• •

Romy and Steven Efthimos P 5

Darya Daneshmand ’19

•

Traci Carpenter and Kimberly Carnot P

Rachel Clouser

•

Meghan Edwards F

• • G

•

Kandi Gavin and Grant Gavin ’01 F

•

DJ Gay F

•

Andrea Gaye G

•

Kimberly Hardcastle and Robert Geddes P

•

Michelle Geller ’17

•

Leigh Anne and Michael Gibbs P

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Office of Philanthropy

Support 20 20 – 20 21 $1–$499 continued Gwyeth Givens G

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Dara and Mark Hensley Fr

Eva Glenn G 5

•

Pia and Nate Heppner P, F 1�

• •

•

Judith and David Glickman Fr

•

Rachel and Josh Herman P 1�

• •

•

Angela and Joseph Glynn P 1�

•

Dakota Hernandez ’19

•

Phillip Gooding ’21

•

Jessica Hershfield ’08

Mary Ellen and James Gosman G 5

•

Gretchen Bain and John Hill P, Po 5

•

Jean and Andrew Gresh P

•

Maxwell Hill ’21

•

Michelle and Joseph Hirschy

•

Simone Hobbs ’28

Laura Guerra and Sebastian Guerra ’96

•

Katherine and Damian Holland P, Po

•

Daven Gujral ’21

Russell Holmes Fr

•

Mia Gresh ’21 John Guckian ’23

Tanya and Andrew Hackel Fr

•

P, F

•

Tara Kern Kuehnert ’90 and Matt Kuehnert

•

Andrew Kuhn ’21

•

Su-Yen and David Kuhn P 5

• •

Phyllis La Manna and John Kunigonis ’64

•

Danielle Han ’07

•

Ian Han ’10

• •

Marisol and Christopher Irwig P, F

•

Luke Jacob F 5

•

Shari and David Jacobson P, Po Kristy and David Johnson

• •

•

Ammy and Brian Jorgenson P

• •

David Henshall Fr

•

Nani Lawrence G

•

Jordan Juarez ’13

The Leal Family

• • •

•

Jennifer Jung F, Po 1�

Jean Ah Lee P, F 5

•

Jacob Kagnoff ’20

Nicholas Lee F

•

Tiana Kelly F

Randolph Lee G 5

•

Kelly Kennedy P, F 5

Young and Jay Lee

•

Beth Levin F 5

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

FUND ANNOTATIONS

Faculty and Staff Friends of LJCDS 5 5 years of consecutive giving 1� 10 years of consecutive giving Deceased F

CDF

2020–2021 R E P O R T O N G I V I N G

•

• •

AFFILIATION ANNOTATIONS

•

Gayle Howard and Christopher Lavertu P, Po 1�

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Lorraine Lambert and James Lambert ’68

• • • •

•

Pamela and Andrew Kurz Po

•

Megan Jones and Keith Jones ’00

Stephanie Heinrich F 5

Students/Alumni Parents/Guardians Po Parents of Alumni G Grandparents and Grandparents of Alumni

P, F 1�

•

Lindsay Kroener ’00 and Daniel Kurz ’00

Laurel Johnson ’12 F

•

Charlotte Loomis and James Heaton P

’XX

Alejandra Serrano and Andres Icaza P 5

•

Kelley Hart and Peter Kozma P, F 5

Jeff Hutzler F 1�

Adrian Hayes F

Luna Kim

• •

•

Valencia Valentine Hamman and Peter Hamman F, Po 1�

Natasha Soll Hawksworth ’01 and Thomas Hawksworth

Alexander Kiefhaber ’05

Barbara Terry and Scott Kirtland P 5 •

•

Allison Hutchens and Sean Hutchens ’95 P

Suma Jayaratnam and Ilyas Hassan P

•

Thespine Kavoulakis and Pradeep Khosla Po

Tina and Cary Kinkead P, F

•

Jane Lindstrom and Christopher Hashioka G

•

Alexander Khosla ’16

•

Fiona and Charles Halloran

•

Sonia and Rohit Khanna P

Maya Hood ’12

Christine and Louis Hughes

Jessica Green Harrison and Sam Harrison Fr

Shira and Jason Keri P

Cecelia Hormovitis ’21

•

• •

•

Alisa and Keenan Howry P

Lauren Hansen

Theresa Panti-Kenville and Steve Kenville P

•

• •

•

Patricia Cohen-Kimbrough and William Kimbrough G

Jena and Tyler Hales P, F 1�

•

Michele and Richard Hagstrom Po

John Hansbrough ’08

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Clara Saks Kenny ’04 and Timothy Kenny

PRG TA GIK

Country Day Fund Blue Bash Programmatic Giving Tuition Assistance Gift-in-Kind

• G

•

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$1–$499 continued Melissa and Jason Levin P

• •

Zhiyu Chen and Bin Li P 5

•

Sarah and Ben Lila P 5 Helen Nagy and Eric Lindgren G

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Jodi Semer Meadow ’01 and Bradley Meadow

•

Stephanie Dulawa and Abraham Palmer P

Dolores Meanley and John Meanley ’67

•

Gabriel Pamich ’13

• • •

Magola Mendoza P

•

Jennifer and Todd Lineback P, F 1�

•

Nestle and Jonathan Joel Panganiban P

•

Shannon Merrill F

Lisa Lipschitz P

•

Chase Mertz ’11

•

Amy Parish F, Po

•

Julie Roskies Litman and Harry Litman Fr

•

Shelley and Paul Michelson G, Po 5

•

Microsoft

•

Alana Bianco Cruz and Allen Park P, F 5

Chun Yat Liu ’25

•

Diana and Eliezer Lombrozo

Lori Long F 1� Pamela and Sanford Madigan

F 1�

Kayla Magid ’16

• •

•

• •

Joan Maher G 1�

•

Abigail Malécot and Christian Malécot ’08

•

Shiva Malhotra ’21

•

Nina Kottler and Evan Malter P

•

Patricia Klingenberg and Larry Manuel P

•

Lacee and Anthony Marasco Fr Suzanne and Stephen Mariucci F5

Angela Marroquin

Elvia Martinez F 5 Jennifer and Jesus Martinez Nathan Mau

Martin Mays

Summer McCamon Theresa McCarthy

Yonghong Ying-McElroy and Edward McElroy P 5 Lindsey Thompson McGrath ’96 and Matthew McGrath ’95 5 Robert McRae

Lisa and Scott Miller P, Po 1�

•

June and David Parrish

•

Raymond Parry ’21

•

Roseann and Scott Parry P 1�

•

Anar and Jigar Patel P

•

Sungita and Hitesh Patel

•

Andrea Leverant Minor ’01 and Mark Minor 1�

•

Rebecca Mirkhani ’19

•

Jennifer and Jason Peltier P

•

Shirin Parvizpour and Reza Mirkhani Po 1�

•

Nancy and Gary Peritz F, Po 1�

•

Dianne Rosenberg and John Moores G, Fr

Amy Perry G

•

Megan and Michael Peveich P, F 5

•

Pfizer Fr

•

Rachael Mow ’17

•

Victor Murillo

•

Catharine and Trevor Nelson

•

Jean and Richard Nelson

Fr 1�

•

Leigh and Gary Pierce P, F 1�

•

Lauren Pischel ’07

•

PNC Financial Services Group

• P

Janine and Dave Picinich

•

Sheryl and Steven Platten G

•

Megha and Advait Nagle P

•

Nancy and Kevin Pegels F

•

Nancy and Alan Nevin

Joyce Patton G

•

Danielle and Bernard Parker P 5

•

• •

•

• Fr

• •

Adria Van Loan-Polselli and Anthony Polselli P

•

Kian Power ’21

•

Tiffany and Richard Norwood P

Karen and Corbin Prychun P, F 5

•

Novartis US Foundation Fr

Karen Raphael Toranto

•

Greta O’Brien G

•

Jen Schere and Kenneth Okin P

•

Griffin Osborne ’14

•

• •

Kerith Michelson Overstreet ’90 and Brian Overstreet ’90

•

Kristin and Matthew Owen P, F 1�

• •

•

Tracy and Daniel Padgett

•

• CDF BB PRG TA GIK

P, F 5

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Marsha and Tristan Poh P, F 5

Jen Barkley and Daniel Norland F 5

•

Julie and David Mindel F, Po 1�

Ryan Morgan ’06

•

Betsy and David McCallum F Po 1�

•

Jodi Morris ’10

•

Lauren Miller ’21

•

Noelle Mayne and Reed Mayne ’70

•

Boston Moreland ’21

• Po

•

Angela and Odell Miller P

•

Erin Pandol and Andrew Pandol ’95 •

•

Martha and Albert Migdal F 1�

•

Rachel and Hernan Luis y Prado P

Susan Middleton F, Po 1�

•

Olesya and Alejandro Lombrozo P

Ashley Marlow

•

• •

•

Lillimari Andresen and Alexander Rassey P 1�

•

Jessica Novak and Alireza Rayatparvar F

•

Raytheon Technologies Fr

•

Janet and Kevin Reaume F 1�

•

North Reid ’21

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

Office of Philanthropy

Support 20 20 – 20 21 CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$1–$499 continued Wendy and Michael Remington P, Po 5

• •

Deborah and Robert Shaul P, F, Po

• •

•

Alaleh Miremadi and Abolghasem Sheikhizadeh P 5

•

Nicholas Shiftan ’00

•

Margaret Futrell and Anthony Shimkin P, Po

•

Sandra Revilla-Harker F

•

Jeremy Reya ’17 Nancy Richards Laila Rida

Robin Robinson F 5

•

Amy Dinger Rohrbach ’97 and John Rohrbach P, F 1�

•

McKenzie and David Roman Alisa Ronis

P, F 1�

Martha Ann Ronis

•

• •

Zachary Rutman ’02 Tina and Neal Sach

•

Amanda and Jason Rosenberg P Joe Rowling

•

• • G

Lillian Sung and David Salihie F 5

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Amy and James Schwager P

• •

•

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Fr

•

Kerri Shulman and Elon Sunshine P

•

Jason Svet ’04

•

Porschia Talbot ’03 and Dawn Marie Talbot F

•

Bussaraporn and Robert Taylor P 5

Lekshmi Somasekharan Nair and Abhilash Shivashankara Pillai P

•

Julie and Jonathan Shulman

• •

P, F 1�

•

Jodi Tompkins Fr

•

Laura and Randall Tonini P, F

• •

Jessica and Steven Traverso P, F 1�

•

Josephine Shieh and Christopher Tsai P, F

• •

Leiloa and Louie Tufaga P, Po

•

Jennifer Turner F

•

Shireen Matthews and Michael Skerlos Po Jacob Skoll ’14

•

Amy Smith and Mark Smith ’93

•

Diane Smith P

•

Judy Spoelstra F 5

•

Emily Springfield ’14

Maya Torres and Oscar Valero P, F 5 •

• •

Grietje and Inder Verma G, Po

•

May and Stefan Vukotich P, F, Po 1�

•

Brandon Wachs ’14

• • •

•

Sunshine Stein P 1�

•

Adrienne and Richard Schere G

•

Dolores Schiavone G

•

Judith Gross and Marc Steingart Fr 1� Carolyn and William Stevenson Andrea and Frederick Steves P

Fr 5

•

Michele and Dan Wagner P, F 1�

•

Frederick Steves G

•

Robert Wagner F 5

•

Frederick Steves ’21

•

Anita and Jordan Waldman G

•

Roxanne and John Walker

• •

Joy and Donald Walsh G

Elizabeth Stringer

•

Valerie Strocco F

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

AFFILIATION ANNOTATIONS

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

FUND ANNOTATIONS

Faculty and Staff Friends of LJCDS 5 5 years of consecutive giving 1� 10 years of consecutive giving Deceased F

CDF

2020–2021 R E P O R T O N G I V I N G

PRG TA GIK

Country Day Fund Blue Bash Programmatic Giving Tuition Assistance Gift-in-Kind

• •

•

Isabella Van Winkle and Matthew Van Winkle P

•

Debbie Valentine Fr 1�

•

Lauren Vajda DeMidio Fr

Diana and Matthew Valji F

Gregory Stein P 1�

•

Students/Alumni Parents/Guardians Po Parents of Alumni G Grandparents and Grandparents of Alumni

•

Wendy Buchi and Thomas Savides Po

• •

Jana and Barrett Tilley P, F 5

Kokila Mohan and Devender Singh P

•

’XX

•

Thermo Fisher Scientific Fr Ary Tohidi ’03 F 5

Liesl Hansen and Steven Spence P, F 5

Mary Langston and Thom Schliem Fr

•

Carolyn Mulroney and Jonathan Schleimer Po

• •

John Tessmer ’85

Linda Davis and Joel Sigeti Po

Lisa Morikado and Scott Sanders P, F 1�

Deena and Fred Schlaffer G

Tami and Jon Taylor F, Po 1�

•

Katelyn Sigeti ’06 F 5

Kathy and Johnny Solomon G

Alice Thornton Schilling and Don Schilling Fr

•

Gayl and George Taylor G 5

•

Sally Scheetz F, Po 1�

•

Adrienne Sigeti ’11

Gail Tominaga and Eric Sandberg Po

Diane and Lee Sawyer F

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Nada Delatorre and Gino Sugapong P

•

• • CDF BB PRG TA GIK

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

$1–$499 continued Julie Breher and Michael Walter P 5

•

Matthew Wirtz ’20

•

Hadley Zeavin F 5

•

Sylvia and James Wofford G

•

Yan Zhang ’99

•

Brandon Patchett and Christopher Womack Fr

• •

Chelsey and Sheldon Watkins

P, F

Tannishtha Reya and Robert Wechsler-Reya P 1� Anna Yip-Wei and Jingmin Wei P

CDF BB PRG TA GIK Amy and David Young P 1�

Xixiao and Kevin Wang Fr Barbara Ward G

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

Cameron Wirtz ’16

•

Alan Wong ’20

•

Idalia and Daniel Wong P, Po

Cassie and Nathaniel West F

•

Kaitlin Woods ’12

Eve Strauss West and Thomas West Po 5

•

Kathryn and Mark Woods Po 1�

Lauren West F 5

•

Riley White ’21

Keri and Kevin Worth F 1�

•

Deborah Witherden and Stuart Williams P, Po

X-Grain Sportswear Fr

•

• •

Armando Yee ’08

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

•

• • •

• •

Yinghua Wang and Xianqiang Zhang P

•

Tiantong Zhao ’21

•

Yuxiang Zhou ’22

• •

Megan Woods ’12

• •

•

Terri Zimmerman F 1�

•

Katherine Draz Zopatti ’77

•

Marianne Zupanc

• •

•

CDF BB PRG TA GIK

For the past 22 years, the ljcds community has had such an incredible impact on our family. As an educator, Country Day has given me an opportunity to develop lifelong relationships with colleagues, students and parents whom I consider to be some of the most dynamic people I have ever met. As parents, we could not be more grateful for all that Country Day has done to create an environment for Olivia and Owen to become kind, thoughtful and confident young people who want to have an impact on the world. We feel our contribution is just one small way to express our gratitude to the ljcds community. Brian and Jean Murphy, Parents of Owen ’28 and Olivia ’30

Office of Philanthropy

Support 20 20 – 20 21

VOLUNTEERS The Office of Philanthropy would like to acknowledge the following volunteers for their heartfelt dedication and service during the 2020–2021 academic year. Together, they gifted thousands of hours in support of students, faculty and staff, and leadership. PARENTS ASSOCIATION O F F I CE RS

Angela Hart President Laura Irvin Vice President Angela DeJarnette Immediate Past President George Bossu Krissy Caldwell Corinna Casey Anne Dalfiume Rachel Herman Dawn Holman Lisa Kanetake Ellen Landers Gina Laws Melissa Mackin Danielle Parker Chantal Reed Jenna Stein Lorri Sulpizio Karin Toranto Carlie Ward

B LUE B AS H C O MMITTE E

Angela DeJarnette Blue Bash Chair Jenna Stein Blue Bash Chair Yuriko Anton Sponsorship Lead Judy Fuller Sponsorship Lead Marina Minasian Event Details Lead Karin Toranto Event Details Lead Alejandra Ancona Auction Lead Emmie Haught Auction Lead Laney Alexander Laura Bilicic Kanani Moser Breckenridge ’95 Krissy Caldwell Sherman Chang Christine Chen Tamara Cidade Suzi Cohen Anne Dalfiume Stephanie Dulawa

78 | | 2019–2020 78 2020–2021 RReEpPoO r tRoTnOGNi vGi nI V gING

Lily Fan Stacey Groff Nicole Heyde Becky Howe Rina Jain Ammy Jorgenson Muniba Khan Scott Kirkland Amanda Smith Latimer ’95 Mony Liquard Michelle Lord Rachel Luis y Prado Patricia Mogul Tina Schmidt Amy Schwager Sheenoo Sharma Emi Stech Alex Taccone Gabriela Tobal Chelsey Watkins Chad Zettle

COU NTRY DAY ARTS

TOR R EY

ALLIANCE (CDAA)

BOOSTER CLUB

Krissy Caldwell Reiko Clark Afshar Sandra Coufal Rachel Herman Laura Irvin Lisa Kanetake Lisa Limor Rabie Sheenoo Sharma

Angela DeJarnette Tricia Estrada John Hill Laura Irvin Gina Laws Alaleh Miremadi Jenna Stein Lorri Sulpizio

PH I L A N TH R OPY A M B ASSA D O RS

20 20 –20 21 PHILAN T H R OPY

As volunteer champions of philanthropy at LJCDS, our Philanthropy Ambassadors are extensions of the Office of Philanthropy, inviting our community to advance the school’s mission. Each is an embodiment of the spirit of generosity, working tirelessly to see our students’ potential fulfilled.

A LU M N I C OU N C IL

AMBASSADOR S

Suzi Cohen Ladan Daneshmand Kathryn Lindlan Patricia Mogul Sherry Yang

20 20 –20 21 LJCDS

At the beginning of the 2020–2021 school year, LJCDS re-established the Alumni Council, an exceptional group of 15 dedicated alumni volunteers who represent all decades of LJCDS graduates. The Alumni Council acts as a two-way advocate—serving as a bridge between our alumni community and the school. With the core mission of enhancing and advancing alumni programming, engagement and philanthropy initiatives, the council has already made tremendous progress in their first year. The success of new alumni events like Torrey Alumni Virtual Happy Hours and the growth of alumni philanthropy initiatives like True Blue Tuesday, the alumni day of giving, is attributable to their commitment and enthusiasm. We are grateful for the support of these remarkable alumni.

ALU MNI COU NCIL

Nikki McIntyre Blackman ’97 Noah Blake ’89 Karen Brecka Borowick ’78 Sally Peters Davidson ’68 Bruce Fayman ’77 Dan Greene ’94 John Hansbrough ’08 Maya Hood ’12 Ethan Krant ’14 Lindsey Thompson McGrath ’96 John Meanley ’67 Chase Mertz ’11 Jodi Morris ’10 John Tessmer ’85 Brandon Wachs ’14

ljcds is a school worthy of our continued support.

When I think of how ljcds impacted me as a student, I know that my philanthropic dollars will go to helping our next generation, because they are our nation’s future. John Meanley ’67

Office of Philanthropy

GIVE THE GIFT OF EDUCATION Since its founding in 1926, La Jolla Country Day School has benefited from the generous support of families, alumni, friends, faculty and staff who have invested in excellence and lifelong learning. Generous, tax-deductible gifts have enabled the school to fulfill its mission to prepare students for a lifetime of intellectual exploration, personal growth and social responsibility. LJCDS is grateful for the philanthropy of the community and invites you to learn about ways to become part of this tradition of giving.

MAIL YOUR GIFT La Jolla Country Day School Office of Philanthropy 9490 Genesee Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037 Make checks payable to La Jolla Country Day School

MAKE YOUR GIFT ONLINE www.ljcds.org/giving

MAKE A GIFT OF STOCK First Republic Securities Co., LLC LJCDS ACCT#33L-012359 Pershing LLC DTC #0443 Please notify the philanthropy office of your transfer at officeofphilanthropy@ljcds.org

OFF I C E OF PH I L A N T HRO PY The Office of Philanthropy partners with families of LJCDS students past and present, alumni, faculty and staff, students and friends to raise funds to bridge what is known as “the gap” between what tuition covers and the cost of an LJCDS education. As Torreys, we believe in the power of philanthropy at school, in the community, across the country and around the world to make real, measurable and positive change. By promoting that environment, our students will become change agents of tomorrow.

2019–2020 R e p o r t o n G i v i n g

R EPORT ON GIVING DISCLAIMER

The Report on Giving recognizes gifts received in the fiscal year July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Every effort has been made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If an error has been made, please accept our sincerest apology and notify the Office of Philanthropy at officeofphilanthropy@ljcds.org, so we may correct our records.

Giving Back

Philanthropy at LJCDS The lifelong bonds among alumni are one of the most special aspects of the La Jolla Country Day School community. Even decades after graduating, alumni remain connected in a myriad of ways. They celebrate one another’s life milestones, return to campus to visit, and give back to LJCDS—a show of gratitude and support for their Torrey roots. ALEX BRIZOLIS ’01 & MERRITT ROSEN BRIZOLIS ’05

Alex Brizolis, a lifer from the Class of 2001, and Merritt Rosen Brizolis, from the Class of 2005, exemplify this extraordinary aspect of the Torrey community. The Brizolises are married and now proud Torrey parents themselves. Their son, Theodore, is in junior kindergarten. As LJCDS parents and alumni, they give back to the school in a multitude of ways. As generous supporters of True Blue Tuesday (Alumni Day of Giving), they offer their time and resources to inspire fellow alumni to give back. They are actively involved in the life of the school, both in the current community and alumni programs. “We continue to give back to LJCDS because it gave us so much,” say the Brizolises. “The people we met and the lessons we learned impact us for the better every day, and we want future generations to continue to benefit. The thing we appreciate most about Country Day is the lifelong friends we made. We also really appreciate how prepared we felt entering college.” Philanthropy is a way of life for the Brizolises. “To our family, being philanthropic means being part of the solution,” they share. “Whether it’s donating time, skills or money, we want our kids to believe they can change their community and world for the better.” Through their generosity, the Brizolises model the true Torrey spirit—the deeply rooted ties that bind our community together for generations leave lasting impacts that allow LJCDS to grow for today’s Torreys.

HELP US GROW OUR LEGACY FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS To learn more or to make a gift, visit www.ljcds.org/giving or contact Katie Sigeti ’06, philanthropy manager of alumni programs, at ksigeti@ljcds.org.

LJCDS. OR G/GIVING

Fall/Winter 2022

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID La Jolla, CA Permit No. 3888

9490 Genesee Avenue La Jolla, California 92037

REG

Summer Programs Begin June 6

Academics, arts, special interests and athletics for children age 3 to Grade 12

WWW.LJCDS.ORG/SUMMER SUMMERPROGRAMS@LJCDS.ORG

I ST R

N OW OP E N

AT I O N

1926 Winter 2022

Articles inside

Milestones

Financial Highlights

and Beyond

My Inspiration

Tuition Assistance

Blue Bash Giving

Overheard