Berkeley Adult School
Principal’s Message: In June of ‘21 we were assured the pandemic was winding down, but as the school year started in August, we were faced with the Delta variant. After Delta calmed down in late fall, we got twisted up more than ever with Omicron. 2021/22 has been a school year for the history books! You, grads, along with school staff, all learned together how to make it work, whether studying online, or coming to school masked up and vaccinated–or both. You are a hardy crew. That you were able to complete your diploma requirements in these circumstances says a lot about you. You can flex. You can persevere. In this world and in each of our lives we will continue to face changes. When those changes feel difficult, I hope you can look back at what you accomplished in 2021/22. Remember the resilience you have shown. Know that you have the ability to overcome many obstacles.
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Superintendent’s Message: The entire Berkeley and Bay Area community is proud of our 2022 graduates. Your perseverance and hard work has paid off, and we're so happy that Berkeley Unified School District has played a supporting role in your success. We wish every one of the graduates the very best as you take your next steps in your education and lives!
We look forward to hearing from you in the years ahead. Send us an email or a note. We’ll be eager to hear your stories of success.
Blossom: Cultivation
The goal of BAS is to nurture the growth of its students for their continuing learning independence.
Tom Reid BAS Principal
Book: Education
BAS gives the learning tools and equal access to its students to further their educational needs.
Est 1881
Base: Foundation
BAS provides the foundation and supports for its students to help them succeed.
2021-2022 Yearbook
Table of Contents High School Graduates ....................................................... 2-5 BAS Staff & Academic Department .................................... 6-7 English As A Second Language (ESL) ................................. 8 Career Technical Education ................................................ 9 Community Education ........................................................ 10 Life-Long Learning .............................................................. 11 Adults with Disabilities ........................................................ 11 BAS Heroes ......................................................................... 12-13 Yearbook Dedication ........................................................... 13
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Berkeley Adult School
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Some of Our Proud Grads: Front Row: Amanda Bounds, Mandeep Kaur, Antonia Briones, Alma Felix, Jessica Berroteran, Duyen Nguyen Middle Row: Takiyah Evans, Suly Leon, Hadley Boone, Makiba Brown, Kody Mahoney, Sarah Shatswell Back Row: Julio Becerra, Kim Lien Sin, Andye Escobar, Camilo Arangua Davalos, Gabriela Gonzalez Rendon
! s t a r g n o C
Get To Know The Class Of 2022! AMARI AHANOTU
YESLI ALBERTO CRUZ
EBONY A. ALEJANDRE
MUZNAH ALMOHSENI
Amari is a brilliant student who shares his knowledge with others.
Yesli's a kind and pleasant student to work with. She's very dependable at being on time and on task.
Ebony’s dream to be an entrepreneur is off to a great start with her high school diploma in hand. World–get ready for Ebony!
Muznah exhibits grit & perseverance while juggling advanced ESOL CC courses along with his HS courses.
KARINA CISNEROS ALSTON
LUIS A. ALVARADOSANCHEZ
OSCAR ANDRADE MARTINEZ
CAMILO RODRIGO ARANGUA DAVALOS
Luis made the best of the situation and worked diligently to complete his credits.
In spite of personal hardships, Oscar kept his "eyes on the prize."
Camilo is a deeply insightful person interested in a range of subjects. At BAS, he learned deadlines really work in managing his time.
Karina is an A-Type personality whose strong determination and skills helped her come from behind to score a graduation slam dunk.
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2021-2022 Yearbook
AMANDA JEAN BOUNDS
JULIO CESAR BECERRA
JESSICA MARIA BERROTERAN
Through a couple of years of a perfect storm of family, work, and health issues (and the challenges of doing BAS work from another country), Julio persevered. Impressive!
Jessica demonstrated focus & determination. She has a goal of becoming a Medical Office Assistant & there is no doubt that she will be successful.
YAJAIRA ANELFE BRAVO
ANTONIA BRIONES
MAKIBA MARIE BROWN
Juggling work and school, Yajaira persevered and achieved her goal of getting her high school diploma. Congratulations, Yajaira!
Antonia embodies what it means to be a role model. Taking care of two young kids while going to high school and college during a pandemic…Antonia did it all. And succeeded!
Makiba has a love of knowledge and history.
MESHA Z. CANNON
TENZIN CHOEYANG
VANESSA CISNEROS
DEBORAH COXEFF
All’s well that ends well. Mesha kept at it, through many ups and downs, always pushing for what she knew to be her right to succeed. Well done, Mesha!
What a bright, sensitive and kind student! Tenzin has some truly inspiring long term goals. She manages BCC & BAS classes while working and helping her family. Always an inspiration.
Vanessa's a determined student and an amazingly hard working mom. Her family is blessed.
Deborah's family originated the "Black Cowboys" historical parade of Oakland, CA. When she's not studying, her hobby is horses. Keep riding, Deborah!
ANTHONY A. DETHVONGSA
ANDYE Y. ESCOBAR
ALMA PATRICIA FELIX
Anthony never gave up, even when he had to relocate across the country to pursue his life’s goals. Persistence and grace under pressure…That’s Anthony!
Andye kept her “eyes on the prize,” and she smiled the entire time!
TAKIYAH MAZIAH EVANS
HADLEY ELIZABETH BOONE Hadley, a quiet and powerful thinker, is very supportive of others and a hard worker.
Takiyah epitomizes the word perseverance. She kept going and going (like the Energizer Bunny) until she got her H.S. diploma!
Amanda is fearless and determined. No matter the obstacle, she kept pushing towards her goal.
LATRICE BYARS Instead of giving up when faced with multiple obstacles, Latrice recommitted to her educational goals again and again. Her graduation is testament to the awesome power of persistence and grit.
Alma fulfilled her dream of completing her high school diploma.
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Berkeley Adult School
SOFIA V. GARCIA Sofia is a student who has a determined force to succeed.
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GABRIELA GONZALEZ RENDON Gabriela’s intelligence and sunny personality will help her succeed in earning an accounting degree and building her bookkeeping business.
KRISTINE KAINDL
MANDEEP KAUR
Kristine came with one goal: to finally finish her high school diploma. She executed on this goal with admirable focus and determination.
Mandeep’s strong work ethic, ability to learn quickly, and vivacious personality will all contribute to her goal of an Air Force career.
MUNEEB KHALID
MARLINA LANG
Obstacles are not barriers for Muneeb. He pursued completion of his HSD while attending Full Time at Peralta colleges.
Marlina is a conscientious and ambitious student who has persisted throughout COVID and online learning. We know she will put her skills to good use in any career or business she pursues.
MARLENE E. LIZARDE With her goal of becoming a Phlebotomist and providing for her loving family, Marlene is well on her way.
JENNIFER JACKSON Never one to give up, Jenni made it happen. Online, in-person, on off days–Jenni was there with her hallmark sense of humor and grace.
ADRIANA JUAREZ NARVAEZ Adriana is a creative and positive person with a love of learning.
MARY KATHRYNE LASHER
SULY VANESSA LEON
Mimi came through BAS with miracle speed–she was in and out with great success & moving forward to college.
Suly pushed herself to complete her high school diploma with two little children and set an amazing example for them.
RICARDO LOCHEO CHAVEZ
KODY RICHELLE MAHONEY
MARCIE FONGFONG MARTINEZ
Ricardo took a break from BAS for a few years, then returned this year to complete his diploma requirements. We wish him well on his journey to becoming a licensed barber.
Kody is a force to reckon with. She came in laser-focused on her goal of a high school diploma and saw it through in record time. Well done, Kody!
Marcie is a busy mom who is eager to learn about the world around her. She wants to show her children that people can continue learning their whole lives.
2021-2022 Yearbook
SALATIEL MARTINEZ
CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL
A super smart young man who plans to serve in our U.S. military. Please keep yourself safe.
Chris has a great sense of humor. He's also a very knowledgeable auto mechanic.
DUYEN THI MY NGUYEN
TANIA LA’SHAE PARKER
TRAVISHA J. RICHARD
Duyen worked hard on her goal & high school diploma while taking college classes AND offering up her time as a peer tutor at BAS. Thanks, Duyen, we’re missing you already!
Tania is a gifted writer with a critical perspective.
Travisha is a proud mother of a U.C. Berkeley student; it's her turn now! Congratulations!
SARAH JEAN SHATSWELL
KIM LIEN SIN
ELIAS SAMUEL TELLES ACOSTA
Sarah was a woman on a mission: finishing her high school diploma and finishing in record time. And she succeeded on both counts. Impressively done, Sara!
ANTOINETTE TRENEE N. WALLACE Antionette kept her goals in sight while continuing to encourage her classmates to succeed.
Through COVID, distance learning, pregnancy, and raising two small children, Kim never gave up. She is one of the hardest working students we know.
CHELSEY WALTON Chelsey, the mother of two young children, does not shy away from challenges. We know that her friendly nature and resilience will guide her into a bright future.
LYDIA MORGAN Lydia has the determination of a person with long-term plans. She gave every assignment a deep level of effort and executed with high success. Impressive, Lydia!
Elias is a dedicated student committed to lifelong learning across international boundaries.
ELAINE MARIE WHITE Elaine is a professional who approached finishing her high school diploma with seriousness, poise, and unwavering effort. Congratulations, Elaine, on a job very well done!
AYLIN NAVARRETE Aylin is a sweet, soft spoken lovely student. She stayed true to her dreams and continues to be a lifelong learner.
AMANDA MARTINS ROCHA A sweet and lovely hard working student who was already fluent in Portuguese, and now she's fluent in English!
RODNEY TRAVIS Congratulations Rodney, you made it! Good luck to you with your future endeavors.
RAYMOND ZHU Raymond came to BAS ready to “get it done” and his excellent academic skills got him through.
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Berkeley Adult School
BAS STAFF
Eva Bowler
Thomas Reid
LaRanda Marr
Alicia Carter
Monica LaTour Office Manager
Head Custodian
Computer Technician
Niviece Robinson
Jo Anne Rivera-Balino
Mildred Scherr
Angela Sutton
Principal
Student Advisor
School Safety Officer
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Vice Principal
HS Clerical Assistant
Jemal A’omer
English Language Assessor
Rodney Lewis
Program Specialist
Learning Specialist, Curriculum & Instruction Coordinator
Ryan Luna
School Safety Officer
2021-2022 Yearbook
Chris Stehlik
Data Integrity Specialist
Keisha Wilright
Evening Custodian
Monica La Tour, our dedicated Office Manager, hands a loaner laptop to a student.
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
Boi Augustiny
Filiberto Chavez Social Sciences Instructor
Academic Counselor, Career Exploration Instructor
ABE Math Instructor
Gale La Court
Beverly Lesch
Terence Ratchford
Cristina Taylor
Academic Dept. Coordinator, English Language Arts Instructor
English Language Arts Instructor
Independent Studies Instructor
Betsey Hoyt
Mathematics Instructor
Marc Korchin
English Language Arts & High School Equivalency Instructor
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Berkeley Adult School
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
Barbara Andrews
EL Civics Coordinator, ESL Post Literacy Instructor
Thomas Cantrell ESL Literacy Instructor
Mel Martynn ESL Beginning Low Instructor
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Carlos Cevallos ESL Beginning High Instructor
Donna Pitetti ESL Beginning High Instructor
Laura Grossmann
ESL Co-Coordinator, ESL Intermediate High Instructor
Ximena Ruiz
ESL Beginning Low Instructor
2021-2022 Yearbook
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION Join Our Building Maintenance Class!
Do you want to work as a custodian or a sub custodian in a school or a commercial setting? Join our Building Maintenance (Custodian) class to learn the basic procedures in custodial work, equipment and basic repair of equipment, cleaning chemicals, carpeted and general floor care, protective equipment, blood borne pathogens and infectious waste. Class fee includes a textbook.
Building Maintenance, Computer Training, & Food Services
Alfred Miller Computer Instructor
Suzy Kelly
CTE Coordinator, Culinary Instructor
Rodney Lewis
Building Maintenance (Custodian) Instructor
Introduction To Computers Class
Culinary Career Preparation
Gain confidence to use a computer on the job, for personal use, or in school. Alfred Miller shows students how to use applications to surf the Internet, create and manage files, bookmark websites, send email with attachments and more.
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Berkeley Adult School
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Kathleen Davis
Department Coordinator of Community Education, Adults with Disabilities & Lifelong Learning Movement & Health Instructor
Cia Robles
Simone Bloch
French Language Instructor & Physical Theatre Instructor
Stress Reduction & Relaxation Instructor
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Evelie Posch
Beginning Rhythm Guitar Instructor
Phoebe Sorgen Sing! Instructor
2021-2022 Yearbook
LIFE-LONG LEARNING
David Coulter
Tai Chi Instructor
Naomi Puro
Fun, Fitness & Dance Instructor
George Porter
Current Events & Contemporary Film Instructor
A. Ifatolu Gardner
Feldenkrais Instructor
ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES Katy Macdonald (center), Adults with Disabilities Instructor, with two of her students in the Art and Health Class.
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Berkeley Adult School
BAS HEROES
At BAS, our students represent the best in us through their tenacity, perseverance, and can-do positive attitudes.
BAS Hero: Ericka Means We salute Ericka Means! Ericka was a student in our culinary program who persisted and was successful in starting her own catering business. She makes fabulous desserts. Check out her website at www.iamcheferickameans.com. We wish Ericka all the success in her culinary endeavors!
BAS Hero: Ashley Melgar When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, Ashley was one of the first Career Education Medical Office Assistant (MOA) students faced with the challenges that came with completing the MOA program. Despite the challenges of going from the in-person classroom modality to a completely online class using Zoom, Ashley was able to persevere and finish the course within the time frame that she set her mind to while dealing with other personal challenges as well. Ashley is currently thriving, and working in a medical office as a Medical Assistant/Medical Receptionist. It has been a pleasure watching her grow and succeed in the healthcare field due to the training she received from the BAS Career Education program.
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BAS Hero: Kim Lien Sin In 2016, Kim Lien Sin started at BAS in ESL Beginning Low without any high school credits, and by 2019, she was able to begin courses in the Academic Department in pursuit of her high school diploma. Kim took classes on site and with our Independent Study program. The COVID pandemic did not slow Kim down; she continued online in 2020 and throughout 2021. Kim completed course after course while taking care of her young daughter and through her second pregnancy. Kim never gave up and she represents BAS well with her perseverance, motivation, and grit. Kim is very intelligent, insightful, and funny. We wish her and her family a bright future. Kim is a BAS high school graduate of 2022 and is planning on continuing her education at College of Alameda (COA) to become a dental assistant. The sky’s the limit! We salute you, Kim Lien Sin!
BAS Hero: Patricia Vanvalkenburg We salute Patricia Vanvalkenburg! As a dedicated student in our Culinary Program, Pat learned basic baking and cooking, safety and sanitation, and also professional etiquette and customer service. Many of you have seen Pat at the local Target store in Berkeley, where she has been recognized as a top employee who provides excellent customer service!
2021-2022 Yearbook
BAS Hero: Shameda Williams Over 20 years ago, single mom Shameda Williams (center) was a student at our Adult School studying to get her GED. Shameda persisted in her studies and succeeded! With her new GED in hand, Shameda pursued her dream of working in the medical field, finding work at Kaiser as a phlebotomist. You may recognize Shameda because she is currently a supervisor with Vestra Labs, and coordinates many technicians who provide COVID testing at BUSD school sites. Shameda and her technicians are often in the Multi-Purpose Room at Berkeley Adult School. Shameda is standing with the COVID testing team Jose Luis Ramos Rivas (L) and Betul Unsever (R). We salute Shameda Williams and her COVID Testing team for supporting staff and students with top-notch service to the BUSD community.
YEARBOOK DEDICATION We dedicate our first-ever BAS Yearbook to Silvia Curiel. The year that Silvia Curiel started working in the Berkeley Unified School District, Mount St. Helens blew its top, the U.S. Hockey Team beat the Soviet Union in the Olympics, and TV viewers were wondering, “Who shot J.R.?” A gallon of gas was $1.19 and a car cost $7,200! That was 42 years ago. Now, Silvia Curiel is retiring.
Silvia has always come to school with a big smile, ready to help everyone in every way that she can. We call her “our detective” because she can find anything. She learned at the helm of Myretta Whitaker, our office manager and assistant to the principal. They seamlessly worked together to become the repository of all institutional knowledge at Berkeley Adult School. She has a strong work ethic, is very honest and has a strong moral compass that became a model to us all at BAS. We wish Silvia a happy retirement and will miss her tremendously.
Silvia has lived and worked in Berkeley throughout her life. “I attended Berkeley Public Schools, and in 1974, my first position was working at an elementary school. Then in 1980 I became permanent, and in September 1982, I got a job at the Adult School, where I have been ever since,” she said. Silvia is also bilingual in Spanish–-an asset that has helped in serving students and staff throughout the years. “I think that being able to work with the diversity of the people who live in Berkeley, and being able to empower them has kept me working at BAS.”
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1701 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA 94702 510-800-7118 www.bas.berkeleyschools.net
BUSD Board of Directors Ty Alper Laura Babitt Ka'Dijah Brown Julie Sinai Ana Vasudeo
BUSD Superintendent Brent Stephens, Ed.D.
BUSD District Office
2020 Bonar Street, Berkeley, CA 94702 Phone: (510) 644-8764 Website: www.berkeleyschools.net