Annual Magazine Fall 2004

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THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL ANNUAL MAGAZINE Outdoor Education at The Athenian School

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE TRUSTEES

OUR THEME: OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL Athenian Wilderness Experience Reflections on Death Valley ...........4 Magical Mystery Tour .....................5 Alumni Return, Reminicse..............6 Mental & Physical Challenge .........7 Outdoor Ed Throughout the School Point Reyes Orientation..................8 Eighth Grade Ropes Course............9 Hiking Class a Hit ..........................9 Athenian Athletics ..........................9 ADDITIONAL FEATURES The Class of 2004 ........................10 Young Round Square....................11 Athenian Parent Association .........15 Honoring Sheryl Petersen .............16 Gratitude (Jodie Lane’s mother) ....18 Alumni News ...............................19 Alumni Activities..........................26 Reunion 2004 ....inside/outside back The Development Office welcomes your comments and thoughts. Please send us your address, telephone and e-mail changes. We also encourage you to send us photographs and birth announcements!

The Athenian School 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd.

Danville, CA 94506-2002 (925) 837-5375

Outdoor Education: A Fundamental Athenian Experience

by Claire Solot, Chair, Board of Trustees Raised in Manhattan, the prospect of embarking upon a nearly month-long wilderness excursion in high school was rather daunting. In my three years at Athenian, while celebrating the return of each patrol during “Run In,” I secretly held onto the belief that somehow I would and could avoid participating. And so, in the spring of 1984, only a few months prior to graduation, I reluctantly headed off to Death Valley.

Now 20 years later, as an attorney, mother, and Chair of the Athenian Board of Trustees, I am constantly gratified by both my personal experience on the Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE), as well as the fact that AWE continues to provide a vital form of life education for our students. My academic preparation at Athenian was exemplary, but what I learned about myself and dealing with others on AWE was life changing.

In my three years at Athenian, while celebrating the return of each patrol during “Run-In,” I secretly held onto the belief that somehow I would and could avoid participating.

This issue of the Athenian Magazine highlights the Outdoor Education pillar of Round Square. Included are several programs, in addition to AWE, that provide invaluable outdoor experiences. We hope you will learn something interesting and perhaps new about this pillar.

During reunion many fellow alumni commented that Athenian had changed and questioned whether it is the same as when they attended. With all the enhancements brought to Athenian’s facilities, and the new and exciting experiential learning programs introduced, Athenian has grown in many ways. But programs such as AWE link all Athenians, both from the student’s and his or her family’s perspectives, and allow us to remain true to our mission.

Barbara Goodson Director of Development and Alumni Relations Kathy Hodson Associate Director, Communications Pat Wall Associate Director, Development Programs Cathleen Lemoine Development Coordinator J Bucciarelli Communications Magazine Design Hunza Graphics, Oakland Magazine Printing

THE ATHENIAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sinjin Bain Mary Bianco David Buchanan, ’72 Eleanor Dase, Head Steve Davenport Ann Fletcher Richard Frankel

Cover photo by Kathy Hodson.

Image manipulation by Susan Liroff, Spitfire Graphics.

Patty Frazer Lorna Lee Dan Lynch Michael McCoy Susan Nebesar Patti Paulson Steve Podell ’77

Steve Post Aaron Sasson Barbara Scanlon Claire Solot ‘84 (Chair) Fiona Stewart Jackie Thomas ‘82

Ted Urban Dick Warmington Beatrice Winslow ’75 Honorary Trustee Dyke Brown As of August 1, 2004

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MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Being and Doing More

by Eleanor Dase

MISSION STATEMENT The Athenian School prepares students for the rigorous

On the morning of April 5th, 41 juniors hopped off the bus following the long ride from Death Valley, shed their hiking boots and embarked on the final eight-mile run back to campus. As each one turned the corner at the crest of the hill, friends cheered, parents cried and two freshmen carefully unfurled a roll of toilet paper to create the official finish line. Their clothes were tattered and bodies quite filthy, but the exhilarative embraces fully captured the essence of this important rite of passage at Athenian. In witnessing 60 of these culminating events throughout my years at Athenian, I remain as inspired by the transformations in these students now as I did in the summer of 1974.

“ The best educational experiences allow you to discover that you can be more and do more than you believed.”

While AWE is the cornerstone of outdoor programs at Athenian, other experiences also use the outdoors as a catalyst for personal growth. Orientations plunge students into hiking, environmental stewardship or a ropes course. Community service presents interesting opportunities in the outdoors, and international service projects are frequently established in challenging but enriching environments. Some of the most popular Interim trips meet their goals in the wilderness. As Kurt Hahn so wisely said in his support of programs such as these, “The best educational experiences allow you to discover that you can be more and do more than you believed.”

These programs continue to distinguish Athenian from other schools; they are also broadly endorsed by families and educators for their inherent value in the educational and maturational process of students. Athenian is fortunate to have so many alumni return to continue their involvement, and seniors frequently clamor to serve as “logies” (Logistical coordinators) on AWE or counselors during orientation.

We have just completed a year of outstanding volunteerism among parents, and the Annual Fund set new records in participation. As a bonus, the senior class (2004) voted to support the Annual Fund with a contribution of $4 each this year, followed by $5, $6, $7 and $8 in the years leading up to their fifth year reunion. The Athenian Parent Association contributed almost $200,000 to the School this past year, enabling programs to flourish and facilities to be enhanced. The Board of Trustees has once again provided tremendous leadership in both financial contributions and guiding vision. They have committed themselves to increasing the School’s endowment as we approach the 40th anniversary of Athenian.

Equally important are the daily contributions that students make to the life of the community. Whether in the arts, athletics, debate, robotics or the airplane project, students at Athenian find their voices and discover who they are. With their return from AWE, we see their blossoming pride, and as they walk over the hill for graduation, we are heartened by the promise that they will make this world a better place.

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expectations of college and for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment.

We offer a challenging academic program with a difference: intellectual inquiry is active, learning is interactive, the disciplines are interrelated, and analysis and creativity thrive simultaneously. The acquisition of knowledge becomes authentic and joyous.

We cultivate the personal qualities of each student to become an integrated human being with integrity, strong moral character, aesthetic sensitivity, and physical well being. The Athenian community requires students to face life directly through open communication, while developing their inner strength to exceed their perceived potential and emerge compassionate, responsible adults.

We instill an appreciation of the reciprocal relationship between the individual and cultures, society and the natural world.

We value the power and beauty of multiculturalism within our diverse community. We embrace the principles of democratic governance, stewardship of the environment, respect for human dignity, and service as a way of life.

By providing an atmosphere of intellectual, artistic, and physical challenge within the warmth of a nurturing community, we develop in our students the confidence and skills required to meet the complexities of their future.

ALUMNI REMINISCE Reflections on Death Valley

by Serena Brewer ’94 experience—it was insanely hot, everything and everyone was covered in dirt, and we were tired of each other. All I wanted was home and the familiarity of my normal routine. How was this the great experience everyone else came home raving about?

And yet it wouldn’t be until after I had finished RunIn, indulged in my first full shower and slept in my own bed, and perhaps even months after that, that I would be able to share the view of those who had gone before me—AWE was truly an amazing, lifechanging experience. As the dirt and the heat and the trepidation of rock-climbing faded into memo-

On a recent summer morning I found myself sitting bleary-eyed at my kitchen table. Although the details change from month to month, the general schedule of a medical student rarely varies—up and out at an ungodly hour, home long after dark and asleep long after that. So finding myself with a rare free morning, I was at a loss with what to do with my time. Waiting for the morning’s caffeine to kick in and jump start my brain, I stared hopelessly at the piles of board study guides that had begun to accumulate on my table over the past several months.

Scattered between the books were scraps of

“The gift of community that AWE creates, it’s intangible but comforting, safe knowing that there is a small community of people who have also gone through the experience of AWE .” ries, my newly solidified inner strength began to emerge and I found myself looking at tasks with a new perspective. Finals were no longer a big deal; college applications seemed far less frightening. I adopted the mantra, “If I can make it through AWE, I can definitely make it through the task at hand.”

And the mantra has proven itself useful—it got me through college, my first ventures into the working world, and even into medical school.

Gradually the caffeine and the noise of morning traffic brought me back to the kitchen table. I smiled at the memory of my 17-year-old self triumphant on the top of a rock in the middle of the desert and the pile of books and to-dos in front of me no longer seemed so daunting. The core strength that began to take root within me all those years ago in Death Valley is there waiting to be tapped. There is much to be done to make it over the next set of hurdles and into residency, but I know if I made it through AWE, so too will I make it through this.

papers—reminders to start residency applications, write a personal statement, get transcripts, pay rent, etc. The piles suddenly seemed incredibly overwhelming. I wondered how on earth I could pull it all off, when on a good day I’m lucky if there’s time for a shower and food. Breathe, I thought, just keep breathing and you’ll figure something out.

And in the breathing, I remembered a similar time some 12 years ago—faced again with an overwhelming task and challenging myself to get through. Only then the challenge was to place faith in myself and my belayer and make the leap to the next hand grasp on a rock climb in the middle of Death Valley. There is rarely a day when some part of my mind doesn’t think about AWE and draw upon the core strength I developed as a result of my 24 days in the desert. At the time it was impossible to realize just what inner strength was developing. I remember being in the midst of a particularly long day in Death Valley and convincing myself that my friends who had gone before me on AWE had clearly been nuts. There was nothing great about the

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A Living Ecosystem After several AWE outings (logistics, assistant instructor and instructor), including his initial trip as an upcoming senior at Athenian, Rob Steller ’75 told me these AWE experiences have been very significant in his life.

Upon entering Athenian, Rob felt like a nerd, he had never had a mentor, had always been a loner and didn’t understand the value of service. AWE changed all of that, as his course was led by Miles Becker, who he learned to respect and appreciate.

“I think AWE is just as valuable now as in my times, perhaps even more so.… It’s the people, not the stuff around us that matters.”

Rob also began to understand the value of group endeavor and the significance of service to and with others on that initial outing. So much that the next year as a senior, Rob helped build ropes courses, slept in rope nets in the trees above campus, installed zip lines and practiced ice climbing on the dead oak tree by the library bridge.

He enjoyed numerous trips rock climbing at Mt. Diablo and learned how to cross-country ski on wooden skis. “These experiences all contributed to the sense that there was a community in which I had a place, which I belonged to, and contributed to,” Rob said.

Rob assisted Arlene Ustin in her first look at the Death Valley course, helping design a new and shorter route. He worked as a logistics coordinator for Northwest Outward Bound, instructed for Reno Taini’s Wilderness school outings, and designed, built and led ropes courses for several years. In 1988, after seven years of engineering in the semiconductor industry, Rob led a three-month Operation Raleigh phase on the Harding Ice Field in Alaska.

Rob said. “One of the greatest values of AWE is the realization of ones’ independence from our material surroundings and the importance of community. It’s the people, not the stuff around us that matters.”

“AWE is like a vital living ecosystem,” Rob said. “It has an important place in the lives of those individuals that are part of that organism. At differing points for each of us, we evolve to the point where we move on to a different environment, with different challenges. AWE is still fresh and vibrant in the minds of those who have experienced it more recently; it is their time now, I have moved on.” —Kathy Hodson

BEFORE & AFTER: Rob Stellar ’75 as a student and as a logie.

The Mental and Physical Challenge

by Marnye Langer ’81

T

here have been a few times in my life when I looked into the maw of a very dark demon, when I stood on the precipice between hope and despair, and I had to dig deep within myself. Every time, my Athenian Wilderness Experience served as a beacon to give me the courage to persevere. Many times throughout my life I have faced a challenge or difficult problem, and in those times I have drawn on my AWE experiences. Sometimes when I am facing a situation that seems overwhelming, I tell myself, “I did AWE, so I can do this.”

What is it about AWE that sticks with you throughout your life? Was AWE really that difficult?

I’ll answer the second question first. For those of you yet to tackle AWE, it is not impossible, but it is difficult in ways you can’t imagine—and mentally more than physically. For the rest of us who completed AWE, I am sure the majority of us have faced much more difficult challenges in our lives.

However, for me, AWE gave me invaluable tools that helped me face future challenges with a bit more strength, a bit more knowledge, a bit more courage, and a bit more confidence.

AWE is a true test of the self.

Although you have to function as a group, your role as an individual is integral to how that group performs.

In my patrol (Death Valley, 1981), we had two students from other schools plus those of us from Athenian. We didn’t choose to spend a month together; we were

continued on page 7…

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ALUMNI REMINISCE

“The best educational ow experiences all r you to discove e that you can b ore more and do m ved.” than you belie Kurt Hahn

A Lifetime Commitment

Again and again, certain alumni return to the Athenian Wilderness Experience, either as logistical coordinators (or “logies”) or to serve as instructors in Death Valley and the High Sierras.

Scooter Carling ’85 has been both a logie and an instructor on the Death Valley AWE course. Looking back to his student days at Athenian, Scooter remembers how eager and excited he was on his first trip as a junior and then to return to Death Valley a second time as a senior. For the past 14 years, Scooter has owned his own business and been a guide on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, working and showing clients the wilderness of the Frank Church River Of No Return wilderness —very different from backpacking through Death Valley, but working in the woods all the same. “Had it not been for AWE and Athenian, I don’t think I would have spent and enjoyed the last 14 years doing what I did,” Scooter commented.

Like Scooter, Alex Forbes ’87 said AWE is one of the aspects of Athenian that drew him to this school. On entering Athenian, Alex asked the Director of Admissions if there were opportunities to do it more than once. Little did he know! Alex has returned as a logistical coordinator for the Death Valley AWE course seven times since his graduation in 1987. In fact, just this last spring, Alex coordinated the on-campus and in-field elements of this course for Arlene Ustin, Director of the AWE. Both Scooter and Alex feel that AWE is still a valuable program. “I think AWE will always be the ultimate graduation requirement,” Scooter said. “There’s the ability to get away from it all with one’s peers and instructors. It’s an environment where students learn not only about themselves but also about the wilderness and their surroundings without the pressures of today’s world. It’s an amazing change that you see in students.”

Alex added, “AWE demands students use both their minds and their bodies in an unquestionably real environment. Our society has become dangerously divorced from the reality of unified physical and mental exercise, to say nothing of reality in the larger sense of the word.”

Alex told me the insecure student grows confident, the cocky get taken down a notch, the shy become vocal, the loud learn to listen, the introspective are renewed and gain new means to present their thoughts to others, while the less thoughtful are given some glimpse of the importance of reflection.

When shown the quote from Kurt Hahn that Eleanor Dase included in her Head’s Message for this publication, both Scooter and Alex emphatically agreed with Hahn’s message. “Kurt Hahn’s quote couldn’t be better tailored to describing AWE,” Alex said. This educational experience, AWE, isn’t always something students want to do, but is often something they so very badly need to do, Alex explained.

Alex offered another Hahn quote: “It is the sin of the soul to force young people into opinions—indoctrination is of the devil—but it is culpable neglect not to impel young people into experiences.”

Scooter continues to be amazed by what he has accomplished and feels that AWE, (the stretch, the challenge, the “I did it”) propelled him towards living and working in the outdoors and to become the man he is today.

—Kathy Hodson

SCOOTER CARLING

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’85

ON THE SALMON RIVER

A Magical Mystery Tour

by Barbara Goodson dents experience on AWE, I sent cameras out with two friends of mine: Monica Streifer ’05 and Alex Cerjan ’05.

Each is a confident, talented student who was not daunted by the length or breadth of the course.

The photos they brought back are stunning. Along with their narrative tales of days on course, Monica and Alex’s pictures gave me a much better understanding of the program. From boarding the bus in the wee hours of the morning to set out for the desert, to the opportunity for self-reflection during the solo days, I learned the dayin and day-out operations that provide such a valuable growth process. continued on page 8…

August at Athenian brings hot weather, a close to summer programs, and of course, The Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE). For years I’d review the administrator back-up list, make sure I’d be available on my days, and plan for photos to be taken at Run-In. Beyond that, and a pretty good idea of the terrain of each course, I didn’t have a clue what happened during those critical days in the field.

This spring I decided to change all that.

In order to get a better idea of what stu-

Maryne Langer’s Mental and Physical Challenge continued from page 5 put in a patrol and basically told, “Go forth!” You may be familiar with your other patrol members since you are in the same school, and you may even be good friends with one or two, but only when you live in the wilderness with about a dozen other people do you really get to know them—their assets and their liabilities.

For a month you have to learn how to not only get along with the others in your patrol, but how to intermingle your personalities and skills in order to accomplish your goals: find the next water stop, stay on your route, make something edible out of the dried staples you are lugging, be safe, and find some human companionship. During that process I learned much about myself and about the others with me. There was a particular person I didn’t care for, but as the days went on I realized that this individual had the ability to get between two people who weren’t getting along and subtly help them resolve their personal conflict, which benefited all of us. I grew to admire and respect that person; a lesson I have carried forward in my life.

Respect is one of the greatest things we can grant one another.

I learned what it is like to be the

only person on one side of an issue and the great danger in compromising an important value. We were high on a ridge in Death Valley; the weather had been cold and blustery all day. On our map we had spotted what looked to be a little meadow and spring and made that our goal for the night. Late in the afternoon it started to snow. The rest of the patrol wanted to move even faster to get down off the ridge and into the little meadow for the night. “No,” I said.

“Then we’ll be camping in the rain.

We should find a sheltered place up here and stay above the snow line.”

They were scared about making camp in the snow and afraid we’d get hypothermia. I grew up in Squaw Valley, near Lake Tahoe, and had been fortunate to participate in a comprehensive winter survival pilot program when I was in eighth grade.

I knew hypothermia was more likely in the rain where we’d get wet. In the snow it might be colder, but we’d be dry. I was never one to go against the crowd. In my family’s dynamics it was always safer to be invisible during times of contention.

Standing on that mountain ridge with the snow drifting down I had to face my peers and convince them

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that we were much better off with my decision than theirs. I knew I had more experience with snow, but I had to figure out how to communicate that. There was no compromise available.

We camped above the snow line that night. We stayed dry, warm and safe, and the next day as we hiked past the small meadow we saw how soggy and damp it was from the rain.

One of my fellow patrol members who had been most vehement about not camping in the snow turned to me and said, “Thanks.” His words still resonate in my head.

Over the years I have been in similar situations, but in different settings where I utilized my AWE experiences and skills: personal friendships, board rooms, work relationships, family, and marriage.

We all faced demons out there in the mountains and plains of Death Valley, and we all looked those demons in the eye and conquered them. As a result, throughout my life when one of those demons has sought me out I have looked it in the eye, dug deep within myself, and moved past toward light and achievement.

Magical Mystery Tour

Hiking Class a Hit

continued from page 7 You may know that students are divided into patrols, so they encounter the course with about ten other students. This bonds them one to another, whether they like it or not! And each student faces a different challenge on course. Some need to learn trust, some to learn humility, some to learn to exceed perceived limits, and some to do all of the above. Each student yearns for or dreads different aspects of the course.

Monica told me her trepidation surrounded rock climbing. She said through the rock climbing experience, “I gained a special appreciation for each of my group members’ different abilities and fears. I was also very proud of myself for making it up the ‘long climb’ at Rocks 2 after about 45 minutes of struggling.”

Alex, with vast experience in High Sierra wilderness survival, said he most needed to enhance his compassion for his patrol members, and openly join the team in order to accomplish their goals. He met these goals with grace and ease.

Rather than sit on campus during Physical Education period gazing longingly at the flanks of Mt. Diablo, an intrepid group of students signed up for a hiking class this year. Led by Diane Grieman, Foreign Language teacher, students embarked on a variety of hiking experiences several afternoons a week. In addition to the opportunity to go outside and get some exercise, students commented they enjoyed the chance to explore the neighborhood and learn more about the local geography, flora and fauna.

Eighth Graders Bond through Ropes Course Members of Athenian’s Eighth Grade class don’t have to wait until the first few days of school to learn the names and faces of their peers. The student who will sit on the other side of the room from you in English might well start out as the one who helps guide you across the hanging bridge during the orientation ropes course.

The team-building and bonding aspects of completing a ropes course have been invaluable to Athenian’s Middle School. The students arrive on Wednesday of orientation week, and leave after lunch to the YMCA Camp at Jones Gulch in La Honda. They stay two nights, challenge the ropes course (through Pro-Action Associates) on Thursday, and return to Danville on Friday.

Students return to their families tired, happy, better acquainted with their peers and teachers, and much more confident of their abilities. They also get a small taste of what’s ahead of them should they continue on to tackle the Athenian Wilderness Experience.

I imagined these dirty young people surviving the course, bonding with each other, meditating in solitude on the meaning of their lives, learning the preciousness of every drop of water and morsel of food, and gratefully yet reluctantly meeting the bus for the long ride home. But what about those wonderful kids we see running across the soccer field at Run-In? Only recently did I learn the buses stop to allow the students to change into their running shoes, and hold everyone until the Run-In begins all together. Then the participants either take off on their own, or decide to help each other make it to the finish line. By the time we hug these smelly, dirty, yet happy “adults,” they have been through a time those of us who have not been on AWE can only imagine and appreciate.

AWE is no longer a complete mystery to me. Rather, I have a new and deeper appreciation for the value of this vital program.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOCUS DAY

Marilyn Nachtman, former Head of Middle School, with students.

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Athenian Athletics: A Vital Facet of Outdoor Education After a spirited fall season, the winter season included its own source of excitement. Our Varsity Boys’ Basketball team gave the OWLS something to hoot about as it finished third in league play, and just missed qualifying for the North Coast Section playoffs. The Varsity Wrestling team sent one wrestler, Scott Leister, to the North Coast Section Tournament for the first time in several years. The Varsity Girls’ Basketball team had two girls, Sarah Ames (1st team) and Brittney Collier (2nd team), selected as All League Members for the second year in a row. The JV, Frosh/Soph Boys’ and JV Girls’ Basketball teams improved from last season and enjoyed huge wins over Head Royce, College Prep and University High School.

The Athenian School Varsity Golf Team won the Bay Counties League Championship for the second year in a row. The Owls won the league championship meet by 29 strokes. Richard Highsmith and Charlie Nejedly advanced to the North Coast Section Championship Meet.

Congratulations to A.J. Schrader for being selected to the Top 100 Athletes in Contra Costa County!

Athenian installed brand new bleachers in the gymnasium this year. Thank you parents for funding the bleachers through the auction proceeds!

The Sports program at Athenian has always held a special place in the curriculum in supporting the Outdoor Education pillar. But several teams and athletes blossomed this year and brought new attention to Athenian Athletics.

Today, over 75% of those who participate in sports would consider themselves student-athletes.

We have students who participate in multiple sports throughout the year, as well as students who play on club sports teams. As a result, the competitive level of our teams has increased dramatically, as well as school spirit.

In the fall, Athenian’s Boys’ Soccer team defeated St. Helena High School, the No. 6 seed, the first round of the CIF North Coast Section Class A boys soccer playoffs 5-4. A.J. Schrader’s goal from close range off a corner kick late in the second half capped a hat trick for the senior forward and lifted Athenian to the win in the single-elimination format. Athenian set the tone early, getting the first goal of the game within the first minute on a breakaway from Schrader. Scott Leister and Jesse Jobert each had goals for Athenian.

Athena and Owl illustration by Ashley Montgomery ‘04

Point Reyes Orientation: A Hint of AWE that Awaits Information gathered from Pat Raynolds the cleanup of Athenian’s adopted land, “Ocean View Trail.” They also hike in and out of Pt. Reyes six miles each way, participate in games organized by senior volunteer leaders, and are offered ample opportunities to meet friends and faculty on this adventure.

Students are also introduced to the idea of Athenian’s five pillars : outdoor education, international and multicultural understanding, community service, education for democracy and environmental conservation. “When surveyed, the students share that this experience helps them see that Athenian is not just another school,” Pat said.”It’s a school with a philosophy and a mission.”

Upon their return to school, the ninth grade class can reflect on this orientation and the respect they gained by working and playing with their classmates and their teachers.

“They earn their rite of passage,” said Pat.

The ninth grade Point Reyes Orientation is a rite of passage to the upper school at Athenian. This two-night outdoor bonding adventure is the students’ first exposure to Athenian classmates and faculty, and to the series of unique occasions to share themselves that the coming four years will offer.

Pat Raynolds, Ninth Grade Dean, Humanities teacher, Round Square Coordinator, and former dorm parent has been leading the Point Reyes excursion since its inception in 1981. She explained that orientation was initially a one-night experience, but there wasn’t enough time for both the physical and educational aspect of the trip. “It’s an opportunity to expose students to a small portion of the Athenian Wilderness Experience,” Pat said.

Students are divided into six patrols, ten to a unit.

Patrols sleep under a tarp, cook, work and play side by side. Students share a day-long, physical service project:

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Young Round Square at Athenian Hosting the Young Round Square Conference again this year gave Athenian and the Middle School an opportunity to celebrate this beautiful place we call home. The theme of this year’s conference was “Wherever you’re going, there you are.” Jon Kabat Zinn’s book of the same title encourages us to live deliberately, fully present to all that life brings us. Twenty-nine student Delegates from all around North America and their teachers came together to affirm the Round Square Pillars and to particularly emphasize Outdoor Adventure. The week was filled with inspiration and challenge.

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THE CLASS OF 2004

Off to College at‌ Arizona State University Berklee College of Music Brandeis University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University Columbia University Cornell University Diablo Valley College Duke University Franklin W. Olin, College of Engineering Harvard University Howard University Iowa State University Le Moyne College Occidental College Otis College of Art and Design Pitzer College Pomona College Reed College San Francisco State University Smith College Sweet Briar College Syracuse University

Trinity College Tufts University University of California at Berkeley University of California at Davis University of California at Irvine University of California at Los Angeles University of California at San Diego University of California at Santa Barbara University of California at Santa Cruz University of Colorado at Boulder University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Redlands University of Rochester University of Rochester University of Southern California University of Washington Utah Valley State College Whittier College Williams College

The Class of 2004

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Saluting Scholarship Students

SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS, CLASS OF 2004 Charlie Nieman and Erin Gums, Jonathan Hartshorne Memorial Scholarship Ashley Montgomery, Presidential Freedom Scholarship Britney Davis, Kate Brown Memorial Scholarship Bobby Gordon, Ed Ellis and Nicola Place Scholarships Ellen McAmis, Dyke Brown Scholarship

With Gratitude for Athenian The following excerpts from her memorial service reveal how she embraced her world. Xavier F. Amador, Ph.D., a Columbia adjunct professor who had become a trusted companion, said “Although I am filled with a terrible sadness that I will not see Jodie again, I am also filled with great joy for having had her in my life. She brought such exhilaration to all our lives, but she also transformed us and we take that with us going forward. She helped me to be a better therapist, a better teacher and ultimately a better person. Thank you, Jodie, for all those times you said yes to the challenges, and to the responsibilities you were given.”

Her boyfriend, Alex Wilbourne, the love of her life, shared these thoughts, “Jodie would overflow with excitement about the sun setting behind her city. She had an unbridled giddiness she poured out upon her world.”

But I think Arthur Levine, the President of Columbia Teacher College, offered the most discerning portrayal of her character: “When I was leaving the building today, two security officers showed me the article of Jodie’s death.

They wanted to tell me about her and what a terrific person she was. With 5,000 students to watch over, for the security staff to know her and feel the loss as deeply as they did, she must have been very special.”

My reasons for articulating this harsh reality is a hope your new students will embrace the fragility of life. Life takes unexpected turns. “Carpe Diem” should always be foremost in our thoughts and actions. I trust my daughter’s authenticity, her complete devotion to her calling, her incredible enthusiasm and total abandonment to simple pleasures will spur your young students to pursue their own individual direction as vigorously as she did.

With gratitude for all Athenian gave Jodie, and with encouragement and hope for all your new protégés, a loving mother. —Karen Lane

I am writing on behalf of my daughter, Jodie Lane ’91, as she no longer has a voice. She was taken from us suddenly and tragically this past January. I would like to share a mother’s story, not from a place of grief or despair, but rather to reflect on the incredible and compassionate support we have received. The outpouring of condolences from Athenian, Sarah Lawrence, Columbia University and countless friends and colleagues has been staggering.

I am writing on behalf of my daughter, Jodie Lane ‘91, as she no longer has a voice.

Reconciling a premature, traumatic death is forever impossible for the surviving family. But her loss has affected so many young people that my heart hopes the meaning and significance of her short life will be best expressed in the radiant attributes of a remarkably intrepid, talented, nurturing person who had dedicated herself to emotionally troubled children.

I believe Jodie found her life’s purpose at Athenian. From there, she pursued her future goals with a tenacious passion. The impact of Athenian on her life speaks for itself in this excerpt from her biographical statement for Columbia’s Ph.D program. “I transferred to The Athenian School my sophomore year. The setting was idyllic. Teachers lived on campus and students played music on the grass lawns.

We didn’t know it then, but we were indeed privileged. The small, intimate classes, and the one-on-one relationship with our teachers made for a welcomed, challenging exchange of ideas. The climax of my career at Athenian was the required Outward Bound Program. I spent 23 days in Death Valley, wilderness training, hiking and rock climbing. Our resourcefulness as well as our character was tested and strengthened. I no longer felt I had to play Lois Lane to some future superman.”

18

Pelagos 1.

A man takes a walk on the beach below his house, throws a fluorescent tennis ball into the waves—

every dog-ear, the signature of unglued pages, the smudged binding, your name on the flyleaf,

his face lighting up as he describes the intricate simplicities of Japanese building technique,

even the Hellenic Bookservice label at first talismanic as the sea, the plane tree, the pines.

the temple at Kiyomizu, with its healing waterfall (and not a single nail)—tries to remember

friend who left for the island of pine-trees friend who left for the island of plane-trees friend who left for the open sea

the name of a book. He can picture the layout of a page he wants to show us, the photograph

All week I’ve been searching for my poem, a handful of lines, how could I lose them?

of scaffold, roof beam, and joists, but the title is iced sake evaporated on the tip of his tongue.

Could a copy still be folded in thirds and tucked inside the collected cummings

Bending for the ball his dog retrieved from the waves and dropped at his feet, careful to keep his head

I snuck into an open box of your books?

“Greek Dancer” I think I called it . . .

above the bloodline of his heart, he looks up as if to say “This is absurd,” straightens, shakes off

did you ever come across it? For years, when you were alive but more vanished

his residue of fear, tosses the ball into the breakers.

Roof beam, tennis ball, book; sake, bloodline, wave.

from my life than now, I let myself regret only the velvet jacket I left in your pickup.

He would like to go back to Kyoto someday, someday go back to Greece. But for now, each step of the steep

the life they gave us to live, we lived

crooked beach stair scaling the hill back to his house is a whitecap requiring a surfer’s obstinate strength.

From the house you built, and the meadow where a yellow dog snuffles in tall grass,

In the clear sea of his sun-stricken eyes, on the swell of his unremitting gaze, an uncertain skiff.

you can see your wife and twin tow-headed sons looking out over the cliffs to the kelp beds

2.

Though I’d let it languish next to my chaise almost two years, as soon as you died I took up

where your ashes were launched from your kayak and strewn like phosphorus on the pulsing skin of the sea. When we meet now, in the uncertain pelagos of dreams, it is and is not as before,

the Seferis you’d sent me, reading at first only notes inked in your hand, marked phrases;

when I could slip a poem like this into a book and eventually, eventually, you would find it.

studying ruefully the locked diary of words written out in your fluent-looking Greek:

for Hank Palmieri ’74 (1956-1999)

By Carol Moldaw, ’74. From The Lightning Field (Oberlin College Presss, 2003) Carol Moldaw is the author of three books of poetry: The Lightning Field (Oberlin College Press, 2003), winner of the 2002 FIELD Poetry Prize, Chalkmarks on Stone (La Alameda Press, 1998), and Taken from the River (Alef Books, 1993), as well as a chapbook Through the Window (La Alameda Press, 2001). A recipient of a Pushcart Prize (2002) and a National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship (1994), Moldaw’s work has been published widely in journals, including Agni, Conjunctions, The Drunken Boat (www. thedrunkenboat.com), Field, Kenyon Review, The New Republic, The New Yorker, Paris Review, Parnassus, Partisan Review, Santa Fe Poetry Broadside (www.sfpoetry.org/), The Threepenny Review, and Triquarterly. She lives in Pojoaque, New Mexico.

19

Alumni News

1969

GLORIA SKURSKI—I keep

Greece, Argentina, and Aus-

taxes at the Sheep is Life Cel-

swim in Cache Creek. Setti

inviting Athenians to stop by

tralia), write a book about

ebration at the Dine College.

does not believe that we

the next time they are in

my corporate experiences

It was a wonderful experi-

were once young deadheads,

Dayton, but that doesn’t

thus far, and frankly just get

ence and I am looking for-

but Samira has the letters I

seem to happen. Ohio is

some rest. My new email is

ward

wrote in spiral-glitter-inco-

wonderful—we’ve lived here

dantepaul@mac.com.

February to hold a tax “study

for ten years. After living on York) I think we’re here for

1979

hall” to help the small farm-

good. There are beautiful old

opportunity to spend time

houses,

trees,

with Ed Ellis is not to be taken

great schools, and I have a

lightly. Seeing him in South-

ten-minute commute to my

ern California and then, later,

job. We call our little 1920s

back at Athenian for the

suburb “the place that time

alumni reunion was a wel-

forgot.” Over the years I

come treat. He continues to

have gradually moved from

play an important role for

theater producing to televi-

Athenian as well as in our

sion broadcasting, and am

hearts and memories.

both coasts (mostly New

enormous

now the Director of Broadcasting at Dayton’s PBS station. Right now I’m working on projects ranging from public affairs to cooking shows to historical documentaries, as well as a new statewide digital classroom project. My husband is Chair of the theater department at the

university,

and

our

daughter is in high school.

She can’t fathom that I went away to boarding school, but I keep telling her that it was a great experience. Would love to hear from Athenians: gloria_skurski@ wptd.pbs.org

1973

DEARY DUFFIE—June 30th is my last day at Charles Schwab. My work here is complete. I’ll be taking a year off to travel (Italy,

KEITH

to

going

back

in

ers file their income tax

VAUGHN—The

returns.

She is radiant with motherly

Center for Land Based Learn-

joy. Perhaps this is because

ing, which is a statewide

she fit into her size four jeans

organization working pri-

on May 16.

curricula

partnered

with

farms or watershed groups.

Last year, one group of students worked all year on a

Even though only a few of the

project that involved every

‘74 class were in attendance

aspect of farming and result-

we had a great time catching

ed in salsa and spaghetti

up and remembering those

sauce being sold in a local

who were not present. The

market.

as expected, the reunion with faculty, staff and friends was well worth the drive to

Aria. Aria has the life; she spends her summers swimming in the Mediterranean with

20

some

cousins.

Nehama pretty much has the life, too, she runs a wind-sailing business and other tourist accommodations. Athenians from the city in Greece)

awake late at night for a cos-

should get in touch if they

mic comedy routine sprin-

come to visit.

and is as wild and beautiful as ever.

POPPY DAVIS—I started

in Greece with her daughter

(the real kind, not the ones

bio-fuels and living in Seattle

1982

living on the island of Paros

all the time because she is

misquotes. She is working in

over again!

Nehama Weininger ’82 is still

I talk to Nicole Vannoni ’82

kled with literary quotes and

campus. I would do it all

gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Cyrus on May 2.

dents to develop land-based

ing was less than before; and,

Homira (Adibzadeh) Foth ‘83

I joined the board of The

marily with high school stu-

laughter was fun; the drink-

herence to prove it.

I also talk to Andrea (Macari) Hakala ’82 quite often. Her husband is currently serving with the military forces in Iraq.

working for the USDA in July

I see Samira (Adibzadeh)

of 2003. So far it is my dream

Rahm ’82 and her beautiful

job. I just returned from a

daughter Setti a couple of

1983

trip to the four corners

times a year. Last year Setti

ried this summer to my

region of Arizona visiting

came to summer camp at Full

sweetheart from New York,

with members of the Hopi

Belly Farm just down the

Matt Daly. We had a beauti-

and Navajo tribes about their

road from where I live. Sami-

ful ceremony in Danville at

efforts to improve and pro-

ra and Homira visited my

Hap

mote their agriculture. I pre-

abode in the almond orchard

under a large oak tree. There

sented a workshop on farm

and we went for an evening

were several Athenians in

20

SALLY SWARTS—I got mar-

Magee

Ranch

Park

attendance including Sangita

Bureau of Prisons for the past

Shah ’83, Sushma Shah ’89,

ten years. I enjoy my job

Raju Mann Ward ’83, Peter

because almost every day I

Martin ’83, Nicholas Bonnell

can see where my work has

’83, Andrew Petty ’83, Sumit

directly

Ray ’82, Arlene Ustin, and of

increasing the women’s self-

course

worth and improving their

my

mom, Vivian

Swarts.

To update you on the rest of

contributed

1984

NICK RHIND—I finally got a real job, as a faculty member at the University of Mass-

to

achusetts Medical School in Worcester, just outside of Boston. I have been here for

chances of not returning to

almost three years, and am

prison upon release.

beginning to feel settled. I

my life—Matt and I live in

I also lead a program at the

am mostly doing research,

San Ramon about five miles

prison called Choices. In this

studying how yeast regulate

from Athenian. I work nearby

program, we give troubled

their growth in response to

at the Federal Correctional

teenagers a tour of the prison

DNA damage. I tell the gov-

Institution in Dublin. My job

then let them listen to testi-

ernment I am going to cure

entails overseeing the indus-

monials from several of the

cancer, but mostly I just like

tries area of the prison (UNI-

prisoners. The teenagers have

playing with yeast. I have a

COR). We provide jobs to

an opportunity to ask the

small lab with a few graduate students. It is great fun working with them. I am also

their employment, we teach

them to prison, what life is

the women a variety of job

like inside prison, and how

skills from the basics of com-

they see their future. If any-

ing to work on time and get-

one knows of a teen group

ting along with co-workers to

that

higher level skills in custom

working with the Choices

drapery design, accounting,

Program, please contact me.

and SGML/XML coding. I

(sallmatt@yahoo.com)

could

benefit

ber Lorca as a cute little 8th grader our senior year. I got to know him first through AWE, and then climbing, hiking and kayaking while we were both living in Berkeley.

It was a beautiful wedding on Point Reyes, and a great party

at

their

home

in

Olema. The next weekend, of course, was my 20th reunion.

had the very pleasant sur-

Metabolism, for those of you

prise of seeing Munzer. Sat-

in the med biz.

urday morning of reunion, I

nice way to start the day. But after six years, I was pretty much ready to leave. The surf is a bit spotty out here in New England, but I brought my boards and I have had a

from

the class of ’84 may remem-

classmates and teachers, and

Rhode Island. For a post-

the choices that brought

wedding. Those of you from

lecture last fall: Glycogen

few good days down in

female prisoners. Through

was for Lorca Rossman’s

teach my first medical school

or two before work was a

women questions regarding

Athenian related. The first

saw a lot of old friends, both

to live, and surfing an hour

about 300 of the 1,300

California, both of them

I had a great time at reunion,

San Diego was a great place

Front: Rachael Chao (Peter’s wife), Peter Martin ’83, Juliet Ward (Raju’s daughter), Sangita Shah ’83, Nicholas Bonnell ’83

back-to-back weekends in

ly grad students, but I did

as a post doc in San Diego.

Back: Austin Lund (Sushma’s husband), Sushma Shah ’89, Andrew Petty ’83, Stanley Ward (Raju’s husband), Sally Swarts ’83, Matt Daly, Raju Mann Ward ’83, Vinod Shah (Daddy Shah), Sumit Ray ’82, Sudeshna Ray (Sumit’s wife), Indra Shah (Mommy Shah), Vivian Swarts

jet-set life style. I am just off

doing a little teaching, most-

I moved here after six years

SPOTTED AT ALUM SALLY SWARTS’ WEDDING TO MATT DALY:

I have been working on my

went to the Alumni Council meeting. It looked like so much fun that I volunteered to be class rep for ’84. My first mission is to try to get in touch with as many classmates as possible. So if you haven’t heard from me, or if you know of any lost ’84s, send

me

an

email

at

nick.rhind@umassmed.edu, or better yet give me a call at (508) 856-8316.

industrial dump, Worcester is

TRAVIS H. SCOTT—For the

a pretty nice place to live. It

last 11 years I’ve been work-

is full of fabulous old brick

ing for MCI and I’ve been

mills and office buildings that

blessed to have made it

are slowly being redevel-

though all the lay-offs that

oped; I live in a condo in a

my company has had. On

115 year old high school

July 4th my company laid-off

right across the street from

7,500 people, which equates

our surprisingly good art

to 15% of our total work-

museum.

force globally. I have been very fortunate to be able to

have been with the Federal

21

keep my job all these years and am grateful. I have been working on my Masters in Information Technology for the past year at AIU here in Culver City, CA, and will graduate this year in October. I’m looking forward to it, although I don’t have my “Plan B” ready yet. I’m pretty sure that I’ll land on my feet though.

1988 BEN

BROYLES—I’m

an

archaeologist working for California,

headquarters.

Still hanging out with Ben

to Athenian and reminded

have been in touch with Lyall

and it was nice to hear from busy we can all get with our

1989

day to day lives, but I wel-

ing in the Washington, D.C.

come an email from anyone

area now, Bethesda to be

who wishes to track me

exact. I have a wonderful job

down. I can be reached at

heading up the marketing

travis.scott@mci.com or by

and branding for an exclusive

phone at 310-836-3833. I’m

real estate developer here in

sorry I missed this year’s

D.C. and love every minute.

reunion but hopefully I’ll be my classmates and friends

1990

like Claire Solot, Nick Rhind,

Portland Athenian alumnae

Ian Bevan, Charlotte Abbott,

and friends recently had the

“Scooter” Carling, Ferdie

wonderful opportunity to

Thieriot, and Oren Riak still

meet with Eleanor Dase on

involved with Athenian. It

the NIKE campus to reunite,

truly

share stories, and hear an

an old Alum. I know how

up there soon. It’s nice to see

the

“meeting

place” when I went there.

Take care and God bless.

me how fortunate I am to be

Wickert

a part of the Athenian family.

Thanks Eleanor and Barbara for coming north to visit us.

1994

PATRICIA DELK—I am liv-

currently in a master’s program at San Francisco State University in Marine Biology where

I’m

studying

an

uncommon member of the rockfish family. I’m trying to determine why it’s rare (fishing? climate? other?), which

MARY CONSTANTINO—

involves lots of SCUBA diving in the beautiful waters of Southern California. It also involves

lots

of

driving,

which is the far less glamorous aspect of the project!

After this, I hope to continue

update on the exciting pro-

in a Ph.D program but per-

jects currently taking place

haps I’ll instead sail across

at Athenian. It is inspiring to

the Pacific and open a dive shop in the Marquesas.

changes that are occurring at

ADRIANA ZINGALI PANEK AND FAMILY.

ADRIANA ZINGALI PANEK

MADHAVI COLTON—I’m

hear all of the fantastic

Alums Danielle Glosser and Sydney Rainin-Smith (both ’88) with Seth Riker, the son of Howard Riker and Danielle.

sur-

reaffirmed my commitment

few miles from here, and

Beasley ’89.

Being

rounded by fellow Athenians

Grunewald ’88, who lives a

Nick Rhind not to long ago

was

by Jackie Thomas ’82 at NIKE

daughter, Fiona Rose Boyles.

and

friend and trusty dog Kaya.

event was graciously hosted

Boyles and two-month old

’89

San Francisco with my boy-

Ellenberg, (all three have not

al Northwest alumni. The

wife, Shannon McCormick

Brown

fer, Linda Silva and David

were present as well as sever-

a

I had a surprise call from

and Vietnam. I now live in

changed a bit since 1990)

Caltrans, with a house in Jamestown,

Past teachers Debby Schauf-

—I met my husband, Joseph Michael Panek II, in the summer of 2000 while waiting tables at the historic Sugar Plum Coffee Shop in Concord. We got married in Reno, NV on November 28, 2002 at the Adventure Inn. I have attended college at numerous schools, but it wasn’t until I realized my passion for the culinary arts that I truly enjoyed what I was learning. I attended Diablo Valley College and studied the Culinary Arts.

Planning to raise our kids in Montana, we did research, visited different places and decided on Helena, MT. Joseph’s father is 60 miles

our very special school under

After graduating from UCSC,

away in Gold Creek. Our son

Eleanor’s guidance. From the

I worked at Macromedia

was born on September 5,

permanent middle school

where I started a Philan-

2003 at 1:11 PM at 7 pounds

buildings, to the present stu-

thropy Program, donating

and

dents’ project of building a

software,

and

Michael Panek III was born 3

working airplane, to the live-

employees’ time to various

weeks and 2 days early, On

ly discussion surrounding the

non-profits. After burning

our one year anniversary, our

demolition of the art dome,

out on the whole high tech

home in Montana closed and

Athenian continues to pro-

thing, I traveled through

we arrived on December 1,

vide an enriching education-

Southeast Asia for a few

2003. Joseph is roofing and I

al environment.

months, visiting Thailand,

am working one day a week

Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia

at a Country Club. We live on

22

money

20

inches.

Joseph

10 acres, six miles outside of

striving to leave its painful

the locals with a sense of

JOHN

town and our views are pic-

past behind and move into

pride.

rently

ture perfect.

the world economy. Making

amazed, not only by the

production for his documen-

this easier is the fact that

grandeur of the temples, but

tary project: “Heretics: Liber-

Cambodia is home to Angkor

by the friendliness and gen-

al Politics and the Catholic

Wat, one of the wonders of

erosity of the Cambodian

Faith.” The first part will

the world and the largest

people.

focus

After all the hard times life dealt me, I am happier than I knew I could be. Being this little boy’s mother is the best job in the world, and I was more ready for it than even I thought. The Athenian School is a part of who I am and I am grateful for every minute I spent growing up there.

1996

religious monument. This year

Cambodia

Guests

are

often

There is no McDonald’s, no

forecasts

movie theatres and often no

over one million visitors to

English, but Cambodia has so

this amazing temple complex

much more—it has a people

and we’re there to greet

struggling to get by, working

them.

every day to support them-

OSBORNE—Curworking

on

San

on

pre-

Francisco,

same-sex marriage, and the response

from

both

the

Catholic Church and their congregations.

For

more

information, email him at john.marquis.osborne@gmail .com.

After our first visit to Cambo-

selves and their family and

dia my husband and I fell in

doing it with a smile. That

ANDREA RYAN—I’m living

ANDREA ROSS (NIGG)—

love with the landscape, the

smile makes all the differ-

in Cambridge, MA with my

When

from

people and the appreciation

ence and maybe it’s why, in

fiance Seth John, who I met

Athenian in 1996 I never

they have for their recent

Cambodia, so far away from

at Carleton but started dating

imagined that eight years

peace. We have now settled

Danville, I’m often reminded

post-college. I moved last

later my life would be as it is.

in Siem Reap, and started

of Athenian.

summer from New York to

You see Siem Reap, Cambo-

Journeys Within, a travel

Boston, where Seth is getting

dia is a long way from

company and bed and break-

his PhD in chemical ocean-

Danville, and not just in

fast offering tours to Thai-

ography at MIT. I’m con-

miles! I now live in one of the

land, Laos, Vietnam and

vinced that it will take the

world’s most beautiful, but

Cambodia (www.journeys-

rest of his (and my) young

poorest, countries.

within.com).

adult life and as far as I can

I

graduated

tell all he does is wash out glass bottles between trips to Hawaii and the Bering Sea. Until a year ago, I lived hapCLAIRE CORERIS

ROSS’ B&B IN SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA.

pily in New York City, where

AND KIRK MILLS

I was a film student at

1997

Columbia University, getting

CLAIRE

ANDREA NIGG ROSS, BRANDON ROSS, AND THE STAFF OF THE

’97

an MFA in screenwriting.

CORRERIS—Kirk

Somehow, I am still at

Mills and I are getting mar-

Columbia getting an MFA

ried on Oct. 9, 2004. I can’t

though I live in Boston full-

believe how lucky we are to

time and haven’t set foot in a

have found each other. I just

classroom in more than a

got accepted to the UC Davis

year. I’m supposedly working

/CSUS teaching credential

on my screenplay from here

program! Hurray! I may go

and in correspondence with

Located in Southeast Asia,

We love our new home and it

on to get my Master of Arts

my advisors at school, but

Cambodia neighbors with

is an amazing feeling to be

degree in Museum Studies

the functionality of that set-

Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

able to arrange tours that

and Practices and hopefully

up has been less than ideal.

A small country with a rapid-

help guests discover the

work in the museum educa-

ly growing population and

beauty and intrigue of these

tion field. I am on a path that

fascinating culture, Cambo-

countries as well as to bene-

truly excites me! Hope every-

dia has been ravaged by the

fit each country by bringing

one is well.

powers of the world and is

in tourist dollars and leaving

23

In the meantime, I procrastinate from the screenwriting by working full time on an American Experience for PBS

about the final six months of WWII in the Pacific, and that has proven to be a very

1998

New! Bay Area Athenian Alumni Club

REBECCA GOOD—I am just

effective method. I research

now finishing my first year

and collect all the historic

as a high school English

photographic images that

teacher in Miami, Florida

will appear in the film. I love

and I must say it has been an

my job and can’t quite imag-

adventure. I will be return-

ine how I ended up getting

ing this summer (2004) as

paid to hunt for war photog-

Director of the Sports Camp

raphy and propaganda art-

and I look forward to reunit-

work all day long.

ing with all the wonderful

Allison Fletcher ’96 At the last Alumni Council meeting in June, Aundra Urban ’99 and I decided to spearhead a new alumni club for those alums specifically residing in or visiting the Bay Area. We hope the Bay Area Athenian Alumni Club will provide local alums with a chance to meet, become reacquainted with each other, have fun and socialize, and network. We plan to get together on a monthly or bi-monthly basis at a bar or restaurant in San Francisco and other Bay Area locations. The kickoff event took place in San Francisco on August 6.

people at Athenian.

Boston was a huge adjustment from New York, but

Bay Area alums—please save the next date, October 8, and be on the lookout for more information to come via email and/or the Athenian alumni website.

I’m learning to appreciate its famed “manageability,” a notion

that

has

never

If you would like to participate in club events or have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at ASFletcher@scu.edu.

impressed me.

Anyway, thanks for enduring this update, which like my life, happens to include too many acronyms.

SENIOR INDUCTION GAVIN FARRINGTON AND FUMIKO MIYAMOTO

’98.

Thank you to the following people who attended the Alumni Council Meeting on June 5, at The Athenian School.

Ed Ellis Kandy Davenport Platt ’74 Bea Stark Winslow ’75 Jonathan Winslow ’77 Nick Rhind ’84 Claire Solot ’84 Wes Daniels ’86 Jennifer Branchini ’89 Angel Lewis ’92 Shoshana Ziblatt ’92 Serena Brewer ’94

Rupa Datta ’96 Allison Fletcher ’96 John Osborne ’97 Jeannine Bell ’98 Justin Masonek ’99 Aundra Urban ’99 Laura Kukulan ’01 Becky Potter ’02 Eleanor Dase Pat Wall Kathy Hodson

Alumni gather to help induct Class of 2004 into the Alumni Organization

ALUMNI ORGANIZATION MISSION STATEMENT The Athenian Alumni organization connects alumni to one another and to the school, providing a cohesive sense of the Athenian community — past, present and future, as well as opportunities to engage in education, communication, and service with current students, in the spirit of the school’s mission and tradition.

24

SNAPSHOTS:

Calendar of Alumni Events 2004-05

Regional Alumni Gatherings

October 3, 7 pm, Alumni Regional Event, Wellesley, MA Hosted by Sydney Resendez ’84, Nick Rhind ’84 and Eleanor Dase

Los Angeles Hosted by

Larry Janss ’69

November 4, 6 pm – Senior (Class of 2005) Alumni Mixer Fall Theater Production – 7:30 pm, Center for the Arts January 6, 9:40 am – Alumni Back-to-School Day Symposium and Lunch January 29, 9-3 pm — Bay Area Alumni and Current Students Community Service Project at St. Anthony’s Dining Room in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco Wes Morgan, John Kohler ’88, Dr. Christina Frantino

February 16, 6 pm – Alumni Parent Reception, Eleanor Dase’s home, followed by Faculty Staff Talent Show, Center for the Arts March 25, 7:30 pm – Alumni Regional Event, Tribeca, NY Hosted by Michael Connolly ’71, Jamie Stern, Wes Morgan and Kathy Hodson March 26, 10:30 am – Community Service Exchange CityKids Foundation, Hosted by Alex Atkinson ’86, Wes Morgan, Kathy Hodson March 31 — deadline for Alumni Notes, News, Photos – Email to kathy.hodson@athenian.org for the Alumni Spring Newsletter

David Baugh ’90, Ian Bevan ’83, Eleanor Dase, Rebecca Baugh ’90

May 25, 11-1 pm — Senior (Class of 2005) Alumni Induction and Lunch June 4 — Alumni Council Meeting, 9:30-11 am June 4 — All Day, Alumni Reunion Classes to celebrate:

1968-69-70 1978-79-80 1993-94-95

Larry Janss ’69, Lisa Yetter ’70, John Altintop

1973-74-75 1983-84-90 1998-99-00

Portland

Hosted by Jackie Thomas ’82

ALUMNI VISITING DAY 2004 Dr. Douglas Perednia ’75 and Eleanor Dase

Former faculty David Ellenberg and Deb Schauffler with Mary Costantino ’90

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CLASS REPRESENTATIVES ’69 Susan Heather Swift ’70 Jim Haber ’74 Kandy Davenport Platt ’75 Bea Winslow ’79 Colleen Logan Cassettari ’83 Ian Bevan ’84 Nick Rhind ’86 Wes Daniels ’87 Kimmerie Jones ’88 Danielle Glosser, John Kohler ’89 Jennifer Branchini ’90 Rebecca and David Baugh ’92 Shoshana Ziblatt ’94 Serena Brewer ’95 Lindsay Firth, Christina Lee ’96 Rupa Datta ’98 Jeannine Bell, Amber Richert ’99 Aundra Urban, Justin Masonek

Alumni Involvement: Keep it Going

by Kathy Hodson It’s been an exhilarating ride this year, due in part to the amazing participation of alumni who have helped or agreed to help revitalize the alumni organization. Several of you hosted or attended regional events, and many others gathered here in the Bay Area for meetings and events. The many alumni across the world who stay in touch via email to the alumni office make a huge difference, too!

Thanks to so many more of you who said yes, for the first time, and gave to the alumni annual fund. The $5,000 match for new alumni giving was more than met. Because of your donations and our other loyal long-standing givers, alumni percentage increased from 7% to 14% this year. That’s an outstanding statement! Let’s keep the percentage on the rise for 2004-05.

Alumni contributions in the way of energy, volunteerism and the spirit of Athenians continue to increase. Communication happens peer-to-peer, as well as in the alumni profiles in our spring newsletter and fall magazine. The Alumni Notes, in particular, are a great opportunity to keep everyone, including former and current faculty, aware of where alumni are living and working.

Sponge Bob did make it to the alumni reunion picnic and was a huge treat for the children. Because of the energetic and determined alumni reunion organizers, the turnout of alums was outstanding! Thank you to everyone who helped lessen my load in encouraging classmates to return to Athenian.

Our alumni council meeting was also successful, with 20 alumni attending the informal review of 2003-04 and brainstorming for 2004-05. Keep watch for alumni website improvements. A bulletin board and several other key updates will be forthcoming this fall.

’02 Becky Potter, Myung Kim

Check out the Alumni Events Calendar in this publication as well as the amazing list of Class Representatives who, when asked to serve in this capacity, said yes. Your classmates will be looking for lost alumni, promoting communication within their class and encouraging alumni to reconnect with Athenian.

’03 Ram Rao, Mandi NortonWestbrook

Jump in, keep this momentum moving! Your involvement in any capacity is always appreciated.

’00 Michelle Dixon, Kate Bryant, Lauren Brown ’01 Laura Kukulan

’04 Ellen McAmis, Ariel Toft Regional Rep: Mary Costantino ’90 First and foremost, class representatives are committed to communicating with their classmates, helping them to connect with one another, and with Athenian via special alumni events and other opportunities that furthers the mission of the Alumni Organization.

Reps needed for classes: ’68, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’85, ’91, ’93, ’97

PHOTOS, NEXT PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT:

PHOTOS, BACK COVER, CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT:

• Class of 1994

• Kate Inman (daughter of Jennifer Branchini ’89 and Cam Inman) enjoying Sponge Bob

• Class of 1984: Nick Rhind, Matt Broyles, Adam Schwartz, Janay Richardson, John Smiddy

• Class of 1994

• Claire Solot ‘84, Munzer Afifi, Eleanor Dase

• Alumni Picnic

• Jessica Millerstrom ’94, Shareef Salaam ’94, Angel Lewis ’92, Janay Richardson ’84, Jamahn Lee ’94

• Chris ’75, Yoneo, Tasmin, Nikko and Tim Arai ’77

• Former and current faculty: Wes Morgan, Kirsten Daehler, Dick Bradford, Munzer Afifi, Eleanor Dase, Pat Raynolds, tom Swope, Sheryl Peterson.

• Ed Ellis, Munzer Afifi, Dan Valen ’69, Susan Heather Swift ’69.

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• Wes (’86), Laura and Emily Daniels

• Grant (’84), Matt and Clint Broyles • (middle:) Stacey, Adara and Oren Riak ’84

Reunion 2004

ATHENIAN ALUMNI WEBSITE Look for great improvements this fall: a community bulletin board and new enchancements to the database. Please contact Kathy Hodson to obtain a user ID and a password to access the password-protected alumni website: kathy.hodson@athenian.or or 925.362.7212.

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Reunion 2004

2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard Danville, California 94506-2002

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