Athenian Magazine 2018 by The Athenian School

athenian M A G A Z I N E 2018 2018

Editor Sarah Freedman ’05, Director of Communication Design Julie Contreras, Urban Bird Design, Walnut Creek, CA Printing Solstice Press, Oakland, CA Contributors Thank you to Josie Chapman, Meg Freedman, Mark Friedman, Karen Huff, Marta Grajeda, Jaci Kildaire, Will Kim, Allie Ladio, Lanny Lee, Elizabeth Newey ’11, Monica Tiulescu, Arlene Ustin, and Shoshana Ziblatt ’92 for their contributions to the Magazine.

About The Athenian School For over 50 years, Athenian has been educating students for a life of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution through experiential, collaborative, and interdisciplinary learning. The Athenian School is a private college preparatory boarding and day school that serves students in grades 6 to 12 in Danville, CA. Students gain knowledge and skills that stick with them throughout their lives through signature programs, including a required 26-day wilderness expedition, a robust international exchange program, and a student-built airplane project. The Athenian School is dedicated to educating young people who will thrive in a variety of environments and will put their knowledge in service of society, both in college and beyond.

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

athenian M A G A Z I N E 2018

Features

Seeing with New Eyes: Athenians on Exchange

Room for Improvement: Students Question Gender Norms

Athenian’s robust exchange program sends dozens of students abroad.

A look at some of Athenian’s equity and inclusion efforts.

Coming Full Circle: Athenian’s New Schedule and Calendar Creating the time and space to deliver the next iteration of Athenian experiential education.

In This Issue The Athenian Magazine is published annually in the fall for alumni, parents, and friends of The Athenian School. The opinions expressed in the Magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily the School. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and mailing address changes at news@athenian.org. Or send us mail at:

The Athenian School 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Danville, CA 94506

Head’s Message by Eric Niles

Leaving the Nest

Class Notes

Athenian Remembers

Annual Report

Athenianschool Athenianschool Athenianschool

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

What’s Possible? By Eric F. Niles, Head of School Being Head of School at Athenian gives me so much space to dream. The Athenian School is in such a strong place, grounded by our mission and commitment to Round Square, and we are poised to embrace the future of education. This past summer, we finished our construction project and credit: Phoebe Leboit ‘18 inspiration is in the air. Our new Kate and Dyke Brown Hall, Carter Innovation Studio, Freeman Commons, and Knoll classrooms have transformed the campus and will foster deeper learning and collaboration. This project, which began years ago and involved the participation of hundreds of Athenians, has in itself been an example of what’s possible at Athenian. I have been inspired by this community’s generosity, resilience, creativity, and tenacity. And the new buildings are just the beginning. We started the new school year with a new schedule and academic calendar, which were designed to take full advantage of our new facilities in service of our mission. We continue to offer new courses to prepare our students for the changing world. I am particularly excited about a new Computational Thinking curriculum in the Middle School and our new March Term in the Upper School, which will expand Interim into a 3-week mini-course where students can dive deeply into an academic area of interest. And we have a new commitment to being a 7-year school experience for our students. I can only imagine what our students will do with our new spaces and programs. When I think about how all of this is possible at Athenian, Carol Dweck’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success comes to mind. Dweck wrote about individuals and their thought patterns, distinguishing a fixed mindset—where people believe abilities, talents, and intelligence are innate—from a growth mindset, in which people believe that with effort and persistence, any ability can be developed. In a growth mindset, brains and talent are just the starting point. This has always been the Athenian mindset. Collectively, we don’t believe that our learning outcomes are “fixed” or that the way we did things yesterday is the way we should do things tomorrow. We are anchored in a mission and a philosophy rooted in our founding, but how we bring that mission to life has changed over time, as it should. Our community’s collective growth mindset has taken us from a drawing on a piece of paper to an international community of lifelong learners committed to a life of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution. There is more in us than we know. I tried to model a growth mindset myself in the classroom last year. It was my first time teaching at Athenian, and I taught Constitutional Law. The topic was very timely and also a nod to the law course that Dyke Brown taught in the early years of the School. To push myself to grow as a teacher, I worked to expand my understanding of powerful assessment of student work. If a class purports to be “project-based and experiential,” then the ways we assess student learning need to expand well beyond the traditional. I made some progress in this regard, but still have much to learn and to improve upon. I will teach the same class again this coming spring and will continue developing the course from a growth mindset. So what’s possible at Athenian? With the combination of a growth mindset, new facilities and programs, and a student body that continues to be more impressive in their passions and contributions every year, anything and everything is my answer. Round Square exchanges. Twenty-six days in the wilderness. Working hard academically while imagining how to put one’s talent to use to make a better world. Our students and alumni are making medical discoveries, inventing baseball caps that prevent head injuries, imagining air conditioning units that cool the world in an environmentally-friendly way, and delivering medicine by drone to remote areas of Africa. This list could go on and on. What’s possible in the years ahead? I hope you will reconnect with the Athenian of today and come visit the campus. As were the last fifty-plus years, the years ahead will be magically full of possibility. With excitement and possibility,

Eric F. Niles

Left: Seventh grade students during their Class Trip to Catalina Islands. 2018

Seeing with New Eyes: Athenians on Exchange Athenian has been a member of Round Square since its founding in 1966. International understanding and cultural competency and humility are bedrocks of an Athenian education, and student exchanges have long been a part of the Athenian experience. In recent years, participation in the Round Square exchange program has skyrocketed. Since 2015, more than 30 sophomores go on exchange annually.

As Marcel Proust wrote, “The voyage of discovery lies not in discovering new lands but in seeing with new eyes.” Just like the Athenian Wilderness Experience, going on exchange helps students understand how stepping outside of their everyday lives is one of the best ways to get perspective on it. The exchange program is transformative. Students climb the Andes, visit the Taj Mahal, swim with tiger sharks, and go on safari. They meet new people, master new languages, and try new foods. Plus, students learn about themselves and their place in the world, gaining new insights about their lives, from what they wear to school after putting on a uniform for six weeks to how late they go to bed after living in a dorm. Malia Smith ’20 learned an important lesson at Herlufsholm School in Denmark, writing, “I find that most Danish people are very relaxed and don’t get stressed easily. In fact, I realized, I haven’t truly lived in the moment until I got here.” Chris Thompson ’20, while on exchange at The Doon School in Dehradun, India, learned to not expect the unexpected, but to “absorb everything like a sponge.” Students report a newfound resilience, adaptability, comfort with awkwardness, and an ability to make new friends and be present to their experiences after going on exchange. Alina Cao ‘19 on exchange at Alice Springs School of the Air in Alice Springs, Australia.

Malia Smith ‘19 with friends at Herlufsholm School in Næstved, Denmark.

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

Especially in the most challenging exchange situations, Athenian students discover there is more in them than they knew. Ada Martin ’20, while on exchange at Saint Constantine’s International School in Arusha, Tanzania, learned a lot about her own privilege. “Before I came here I liked to think that I was self-aware when it came to my privilege, but I was not,” Ada shares. “I have encountered so much that my life in the Bay Area has cushioned me from: homophobia, anti-Semitism, and sexism to name a few. It is hard to draw the line of when to excuse certain beliefs as cultural differences and when to call out bigotry.” Jennifer Leigh ’20 acknowledges the challenges of going on exchange. “Exchange is an amazing experience, but it doesn’t come without difficulties,” said Jennifer. “It can feel overwhelming at times trying to wiggle my way into a friend group that has been together for years. However, this experience so far has taught me to just be a little awkward and introduce myself to people, and after the first week at school I’ve made some great new friends.” Athenian’s exchange program is a one-for-one system, meaning that for every student we send on exchange, a student from the exchange school comes to Athenian. When possible, the students going on exchange will host each other while they are abroad, deepening their connection as they take turns playing host. The reciprocal nature of Athenian exchanges was designed to not only enhance the experience of the students on exchange, but to enhance the experience for the entire school. With more than 30 students from schools around the world in

FEATURE: ROUND SQUARE EXCHANGE

Athenian classes throughout the year, every one of our students benefits from the exchange program. Athenian’s boarding program already supports an international student body, yet the Round Square exchange program brings us students from any of the schools in fifty countries across six continents. During the 2017-18 school year, Athenian sent students to and hosted students from Australia, Colombia, Denmark, England, Germany, India, Jordan, Namibia, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. All Round Square schools share the six IDEALS: internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, adventure, leadership, and service. And yet the ways in which schools embody these values varies greatly. Through the exchange program, Athenian’s mission and ways of living the pillars spreads around Exchanges continued on page 6…

Harrison Shaw ’20 with his roommates at The Armidale School in Armidale, Australia.

Matthew Whitfield ’20 with his exchange host at Westminster School in Adelaide, Australia.

“We noticed a 15-foot dark shape moving towards us. We watched as a tiger shark sped up and began to breach the water, both of us frozen from fear. When the shark was about one-and-a-half feet from the kayak, it did a quick 180-degree turn, tail splashing us with water as this beast thrashed about. It truly is so crazy that the shark was so big–and the water so clear that all the other groups could see what had happened from over 120 feet away. On the last day of the trip, we went snorkeling with whale sharks. I was treading water, amazed from snorkeling so close to prehistoric whale sharks, when the captain of the boat started signing for me to look down. As soon as I decrypted his signals, I re-submerged under water. What I saw was a mother humpback whale, swimming close to my group in order to protect her calf from what she considered a threat. After I got back on the boat, my group leader explained that this was even rarer than the tiger shark encounter. Both of these encounters made my expedition—and my exchange as a whole–more meaningful.”

—Fraser Coleman ’20 on exchange at Scotch College in Perth, Australia

2018

“The raw happiness and love I’ve experienced here in Lima will stay in my heart forever, even though I know that no one will ever be able to fully understand the depths of my love for this beautiful country and these beautiful people. This ties into one of the main lessons I’ve come to learn on exchange: some experiences were meant to stay buried in your heart and trying to express such feelings is an impossible task. Too often in life we feel that we need to validate our experiences by posting everything on social media, or ensuring that we relay every story to our friends and family. On exchange, I learned that experiences can have just as much meaning even if you never tell the story. Because for every experience you have, you grow as a person and learn more about yourself.” —Micah Ross ’20, exchange student at Markham College in Lima, Peru

Exchanges continued from page 5…

the world. Last year, an exchange student was so moved by Athenian students’ ability to effect change that she went back to her home school and started working with a faculty member to create something similar to Town Meeting at her school. Exchange students reflect back to us time and again how much gratitude Athenians have and how comfortable students are having conversations with teachers. One exchange student from Australia was so taken with Athenian that she asked to come back for a gap year in 2016. Athenian had never hosted a gap year student before but Mumina Tunne had made such an impact during her short time here, she was welcomed back to help out in the Middle School. Prachi Bhatia, a student from Vivek High School, on exchange at Athenian.

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

Prachi Bhatia, an exchange student from Vivek High School in Chandigarh, India, summed up her experience at Athenian with a speech in front of the Upper School student body. “This exchange has taught me two very important things,” Prachi said. “One, that we are the same people regardless of all the made up differences that coexist and how it’s just the circumstances that differ. And, two, how small acts can leave prominent imprints. I came in as a shy, introverted girl and here I am, standing in front of you all.” Nicholas Wong ’20 had similar selfrealizations while studying abroad at Scotch College in Perth, Australia.

FEATURE: ROUND SQUARE EXCHANGE

Micah Ross ‘19 visits Incan ruins while on exchange at Markham College in Lima, Peru.

When given the opportunity to travel alone to a family’s nearby farm, Nicholas said yes despite reservations. “After thinking about why I said yes, I think Perth has given me the confidence to say yes to live my life the way I want without worrying about the judgement of other people. Leaving my various insecurities in the dust for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure is what my decision came down to.” Micah Ross ’20 encourages everyone to go on exchange. “If anyone is on the fence about exchange, I cannot describe how important of an experience it is. Few students have the chance to study in another country, and I cannot think of a single reason not to seize the opportunity. The way I see it, you will inevitably have some combination of good and bad moments on exchange. In the bad ones, you will learn about yourself, develop your independence, and grow so much as a person in ways you could never imagine. In the good ones, you will create friends and memories to last a lifetime.”

Elaine Cook ’20 at St. Constantine’s International School in Arusha, Tanzania.

Read the Athenian Exchange Blog for more first-hand accounts of Athenian students on exchange at Round Square schools around the world. blogs.athenian.org/ AthenianExchanges

2018

Coming Full Circle: Athenian’s New Schedule and Calendar In 1964 at the dedication of The Athenian School, radio and television personality Clifton Fadiman spoke of the vision of the School: “By hearkening back to an older tradition, Dyke Brown and his associates are in conflict with some of the forces now powerful in the area of secondary school education. For they intend to educate young people as wholes, not as parts, as ends not as instruments. They intend to generate in these young people a natural, unselfconscious passion to learn, and, by learning, to come to love the intellectual virtues….They intend to prepare their students for college, if that should be the desired next step, without over-emphasizing grades, for education is not a competitive rat-race but a mode of discovering who and what you are.”

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

FEATURE: SCHEDULE AND CALENDAR

This is what an Athenian education is about: discovering who and what you are. From its founding, Athenian has believed that the best way to prepare students is through hands-on, experiential education. In 1974, Athenian’s founder Dyke Brown confirmed that experience must be the center of an Athenian education, writing in an essay titled “Using Experience to Enhance Learning,” that “we can re-invigorate the learning of some subjects by exposing students to real experience of those subjects, as well as to books and classes about them.” It is with this spirit in mind that Athenian continues to evolve its program.

Time and Space With a shared vision of experiential education at Athenian, it became clear that the School needed new spatial and temporal structures to manifest Dyke Brown’s vision in the context of how the School has grown. Temporal structures depend on space, and so nine years ago, Athenian embarked on an ambitious campus master plan to update the School’s physical spaces with new classroom designs in the center of campus. As the new buildings were being built, the School turned its focus to creating the temporal structure to accompany the new spaces. With construction underway, Athenian faculty and school leadership worked tirelessly with the help of leading educational consultants to develop a new schedule and calendar. When Dyke started Athenian, he knew that a holistic education could only be delivered through a 24/7 learning environment. Now primarily a day school, Kalyan Balaven, Director of Teaching and Learning explains, “the new schedule and academic calendar strive to simulate the kinds of connections students would have with a 24-hour program.” The new schedule focuses on relief from stress, deeper learning experiences, more opportunities to engage in elective activities, and more time to build and be together as a community. As educators, the School took a “backward design” approach, starting with goals and desired outcomes for a new calendar and schedule.

Computational Thinking, Life Skills, and Round Square: New Middle School Flex Curriculum Middle School students will complete a new, three-year rotation of computational thinking (problem-solving using a computer), life skills and wellness, and Round Square pillars curriculum during the new Flex block of the schedule. Students will rotate through units including robotics, computer programming, life skills, community service, and more. Lauren Railey, Head of the Middle School, explains that “kids will be able to build skills they really need, whether it’s computer programming skills, instruction around health and wellness, or a deeper understanding of the pillars that are part and parcel of who we are.” Middle School faculty are excited to partner around new topics and weave many of the curricular touchpoints that would happen intermittently throughout the year into a more regular and routine part of the academic experience.

Schedule continued on page 10… 2018

Schedule continued from page 9…

The schedules emphasize more time for collaboration, longer class periods, and better alignment between our divisions. After extensive research, consultations, and input from faculty and students, the School is implementing a rotating schedule with standard class lengths (60 minutes in the Middle School and 70 minutes in the Upper); specific time for projects, homework, and help from teachers; separate periods for electives and required programming so students have more opportunities to try new things; longer advisory; and designated time for grade-level programming and student clubs and activities. The changes to the yearly academic calendar will support more projectbased, experiential learning and provide more opportunities for students to share their learning with the community. Middle School Class Trips (Interim) will shift to the end of March for better weather and travel and to have a more cohesive instructional block before Interim and break. The Upper School will pilot a “March Term” in which students will engage in three-week-long immersive, mission-driven experiences. During this time, students will take one course every day for several hours to align with our Athenian Wilderness

Experience program. This year’s March Term offerings include Exercise Science; History on Stage; Architecture, Design, and Living Systems with Recycled Materials; and Astronomy. All students, including returning AWE juniors, will have a spring break in early April.

What’s Possible with Engaged Learning? Forty years after Dyke penned his essay, it’s now widely accepted that humans learn best by doing things with their own hands, relating new information to their personal experiences, and having ownership of their curiosity. The field of education continues to shift toward hands-on, experiential, interdisciplinary learning which Athenians are now referring to as “engaged learning”. Athenian has always embraced these methodologies at its heart and now has the time and space to explore even more ways to ignite students’ passions. Upper School Academic Dean Gabe del Real confirms that with the new schedule and academic calendar, Athenian’s new generation of leadership “can bring Athenian into a new era that allows us to hearken back to the roots of our tradition in as full a way as possible.”

There has historically been minimal overlap between the division’s schedules, but now that the Upper and Middle School schedules are aligned, there are more opportunities for Upper School and Middle School students to work together. From environmental science students teaching Focus Days to Upper School peer counselors working with the Middle School life skills rotations, students will be able to teach and learn together. To fully support engaged learning at Athenian, the School now has a Director of Teaching and Learning. Kalyan Balaven has stepped into this role, coordinating 6-12 teaching and learning and overseeing faculty hiring and mentoring. He will also institute a Teaching and Learning Council made up of students who will engage in an ongoing design project around student voice in teaching and learning. Additionally, the School’s Coordinator of Engaged Learning, Mark Mendelson, alongside Studio Manager Lori Harsch, will work with faculty and students in the new Carter Innovation Studio, facilitating training, thought partnership, and cross-pollination as the School grows in their approach to engaged learning.

Cyber Security Experts: Exploring Passions in the Upper School Athenian hopes that all students will discover their passion during their time here, and the new schedule is designed to give students more opportunities to apply their learning to their living. In 2017, a group of Upper School students formed the Cyber Security Club to prepare for the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. Led by Max Dowla ’18, Nicholas Wong ’19, Olivia Booth ’19, and Jackson Moffett ’19, the team acts as hired IT professionals tasked with finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities on a virtual computer network. Working diligently after school with support from Athenian faculty, the team placed in the top 15 percent out of 2000 teams nationally in 2017 and were in the top 20 in 2018. Max has always been passionate about this topic but thinks all students should have the opportunity to see what it’s about. “We live in a digital age,” says Max. “We put information everywhere without being mindful of getting in trouble. If more students were exposed to CyberPatriot even for a day, it would change how they interact online.” This year’s new schedule builds in extra time during lunch and the twice weekly elective period for students to pursue their passions during the school day. This will make activities like the Cyber Security club more accessible for all students. 10

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

FEATURE: SCHEDULE AND CALENDAR

Middle School Schedule Highlights

First period classes are five minutes longer so teachers can take attendance, make announcements, and check in with students to start the day off right.

60-minute classes create opportunities for our students and teachers to take deeper dives through project-based learning and slow down their day with fewer transitions.

Conference and Collaboration gives all students time for projects and homework and to get help from teachers.

Electives are now truly electives, as music and required programming such as life skills are incorporated into the schedule with designated periods.

A rotating schedule of classes benefits students by having classes at different times during a fourday rotation.

A new Flex period provides time for grade-level programs, including life skills, study skills, and computer programming.

Upper School Schedule Highlights

Longer advisory will allow for new advisory programming that builds on our student wellness initiatives. 70-minute classes create opportunities for deeper dives into the curriculum, and they minimize transition time between classes. Seven classes allow Performing Arts programs to be part of the daily schedule, meeting three times a week at different times of the day.

Conference and Collaboration gives all students time for projects and homework and to get help from teachers. Long lunch every day provides needed down time for students with enough time for club meetings.

Separate periods for electives and PE allow students to pursue multiple interests and engage in a variety of programming. 2018

Favorite Memories

“AWE Run-In. Seeing everyone on the field as you go over the last hill was insane.” — Justin Armanino ’19

“For Sophomore Fun Night, it was pouring rain and with no Main Hall, we had to improvise. The sophomores played capture the flag for hours, soaking wet and having the best time just playing together. They went with it.”

—Stephanie McGraw

“During an engaged French III Honors class, the fire drill went off. I escorted my class to the field and the students chatted away in French all the way down to the soccer field.”

—Elisabeth Bertschi

“Social studies was amazing. Now I know all these word bits and what they mean. You know why Draco Malfoy was the antagonist in the Harry Potter series? Mal- means bad. What!” — Angela Wang ’24 “Exit interviews with seniors. Our seniors can articulate so well not only their gratitude, but what they’re learning and what they hope to do. It was profound that they’re so invested in this place; they care so much about maintaining the spirit of Athenian. We are preparing these students so well, and they know it.” —Tillie Gottlieb

In their own words

“The Round Square Conference in South Africa was a life changing experience! It helped me gain a better understanding of myself and what I might be interested in studying or doing in the future, and broadened my global perspective of others.” —Ginger Freeman ’19

We asked students, and here’s what they said:

What’s something you did this year that you’re proud of that Athenians might not know about? “Winning my first ever high school tennis match on Nest Night.” 12

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

“I stood up for myself in conversations.”

& Notable Moments 2017-18 “Becoming friends with the amazing people at Athenian.”

Amanda Butcher’s ’18 Letter to the Editor written for the Journalism as Literature class was published in The New York Times in September 2017

— Kati Wilkes ’23

credit: Sofi Kaplan ’19

“Senior Cry Day when the boys are saying

Athenian hosted its third annual goodbye and thanking other boys. Our Education Series for our parents and world is hard for boys. They feel so safe community members, including a here, thanking each other, apologizing, screening and discussion of the film saying I miss you, I love you. It’s beautiful.” Most Likely to Succeed, an author talk —Kristina Merschat with You Bring the Distant Near author Mitali Perkins, and a conversation We had our second annual Athenian professional on mental health with Mark Lukach, author of My Lovely Wife in the Psych development day, with 13 workshops led by Athenian faculty for Athenian faculty. Ward, and Dr. Steven Sust.

Amy Wintermeyer

is the new Head of Upper School. Amy was Co-Director of College Counseling at Athenian for 10 years before becoming Upper School Head and brings her experiences in the classroom and as a dorm head into her new role.

“Shamanic journeys in Humanitas.” —Max Dowla ’18

Two Athenian teams were selected to go to the global Diamond Challenge competition, a competition for budding entrepreneurs. Naveli Garg ’19 worked on the Charity Dress social venture and Adit Shah ’21 and Ashna Ramaswamy ’19 created a business concept called Cerebrain. Kalyan Balaven, humanities teacher and Athenian’s new Director of Teaching and Learning, was a winner of the 2017 Eukel Trust Award which recognizes nominated teachers in Contra Costa County who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to their students.

Before the new Main Hall was constructed,

a group of longtime Athenians laid pieces of the original foundation and the hearth into the foundation of the new Kate and Dyke Brown Hall. The group also laid rocks brought back from Greece into the foundation, an homage to the original groundbreaking of the Main Hall in 1964. The new Main Hall is rooted to the past in its very foundation.

“I asked someone out to prom.” “I lived outside of my comfort zone, and even though I am a very open person, I did things that I wouldn’t do on a daily basis.”

“I did better than I ever thought I could on a Social Studies assignment.”

“We formed an LGBT straight alliance in the Middle School and hosted a May pride month, with tie dye and Upper and Middle School panels.”

“Getting more confident in class.” “I sang on stage for the first time.” 2018

Room for Improvement: Students Question Gender Norms Gender inclusivity has been making the headlines for decades. Yet there is still room for improvement, even at Athenian. In the last several years, students and faculty alike have led the charge to make Athenian an even safer learning environment. Athenians want to recognize and respect everyone on the gender spectrum and conversations continue to evolve around these topics. Below are just a few examples of gender justice and education at Athenian.

WiSE: Women in Science and Engineering

cream. More than 150 people joined the fun for what will likely be the first annual Athenian WISE Night.

With momentum building toward the opening of our Carter Innovation Studio, a group of Upper School students were eager to pique the interest of their classmates in science and engineering. Coming out of the 9th grade World Cultures diversity project, Alekhya Maram ’21, Adit Shah ’21, and Lucy Sparks Mendez ’21 wrote a Town Meeting proposal asking for funding for an outreach event around women in science and engineering. With overwhelming support from the student body, one hundred percent of the $1,000 annual Town Meeting budget was allocated to support the event. The student leadership team orchestrated WiSE Night, an after school event open to the community. The students worked with local marketing, science, and engineering professionals to set up stations building robots, making chemical explosions, talking to women in STEAM professions, playing with liquid nitrogen, and making liquid nitrogen ice

Gender-Inclusive Dress Code

In their own words

The Middle School adopted a new gender-inclusive dress code. Designed to ensure everyone’s right to safety and to learn in an academic atmosphere, the new dress code eliminates the previous gender-based policy. After input from the student leadership and faculty, students are now instructed to wear the appropriate clothes for the task at hand and to follow these gender-neutral guidelines: Students must wear clothing, including both a shirt and pants or skirt, or the equivalent (for example: dresses, leggings, or shorts) and shoes. Undergarments, breasts, genitals, buttocks, and stomach must be fully covered by opaque clothing. Footwear must be worn at all times on campus.

We asked students, and here’s what they said:

What’s something you’ve learned this year that has really stuck with you?

“Don’t procrastinate.”

“There really is more in me than I ever thought there was! There is something so magical about AWE, and I hope everyone who attends

Athenian knows how special of an opportunity it is and how it makes our school so unique.”

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

“It’s okay to ask for help, there are people who support you, so don’t ever think you are alone”.

“Physics isn’t so bad.”

At Athenian, being in “dress code” sometimes means coming to school dressed in costumes for Focus Days.

Athenian Sexual Assault Prevention Program Going into its fifth year, the “ASAP” program, as it is known, has been preparing students to identify and stand up against unsafe sexual behavior. What started in the Gender Equity Club as just an idea and grew first into a three-week program, sophomores now are required to participate in a six-week peer-led class. Gender roles dominate much of the conversations, and it is an opportunity for students to ask questions, empathize with others, and learn important communication skills. With a faculty or staff member on hand and after a daylong training, 11th and 12th graders teach a curriculum on prevention and the laws and resources available on sexual assault. Barbara Carlino, Athenian’s Upper School Counselor, worked with Gender Equity Club advisors Lisa Haney and Stephanie McGraw to develop the curriculum with support from Kathleen Huntington Barbara has seen a positive impact already in the student body. Students are more comfortable talking about these

issues, such as the serious risks involved when sexual activity is combined with drunken partying. Barbara emphasizes the importance of healthy relationships. She explains, “ASAP is an effort to promote safety and healthy communication in regard to dating relationships and sexual activity. If students come out of the program feeling like they have some knowledge or skill in terms of navigating safe and healthy relationships, that would be my ultimate goal.”

Gender-Inclusive Bathrooms Athenian has always been a little short on bathrooms. During construction, bathrooms were even more limited, and so it is with great relief that the new Main Hall and Knoll classrooms now have twelve new stalls and an additional four genderneutral bathrooms. While there are still boys and girls multi-stall bathrooms in the gym and the Main Hall, every single-stall bathroom on campus is now a gender neutral bathroom.

“Not all of my friends have to be “It’s better to over “To believe in myself.” as similar to me as I thought.” prepare than to “Making a study schedule “If you make an effort to be genuinely “People are and a study guide for under prepare.” finals interested in the people you meet, you people, and is everything.” “I learned to break down my study sessions in order to maximize retention of study materials.” “I have learned that failure is, in fact, an option. I thought failure was something that you must avoid, but when we were in a 9th grade Class Meeting, some teachers told us that failure was an option, and it could lead you to success.”

can make friendships with anyone.” “I learned the value of conciseness in writing, as well as the power of directly stating something rather than sort of snaking up to it. While I continue to struggle with this concept, I know I will improve.”

those people will change.”

“Real friends stick with you through the hardest of times.”

“It’s better to apologize to other people because it makes you feel better.”

2018

Athletic HIGHLIGHTS credit:Sofi Kaplan ’19

UPPER SCHOOL Fall Men’s Soccer made it to the North Coast Section Semifinals for the second year in a row. The Women’s Cross Country team had an incredible season. The young team of mostly underclass women took 3rd place in the league and went to the North Coast Section Championships.

Winter Women’s Basketball made it to the North Coast Section with a team of young players and a lone senior leader. Team Captain Victoria Akinsanya ’18 earned the Scott Leister Spirit of Athenian Award for her leadership on and off the court. Women’s Lacrosse, a new club sport at Athenian, completed a season of clinic-based practices.

Spring Women’s Swimming won the Bay Counties League East Championship. Baseball made it to the North Coast Section Championship for the second year in a row. Women’s Soccer played in the first round of the North Coast Section Championships.

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

MIDDLE SCHOOL The soccer team was undefeated in the Middle School Sports League. Middle School Junior Varsity Volleyball was undefeated and Varsity Volleyball lost just one game. Overall, the volleyball teams went 12 wins and 1 loss. Cross country and golf had inaugural seasons in the Middle School. Three runners finished in the top ten at the Middle School Sports League Championship. The golf team won the East Bay Middle School Golf League Championship.

credit: Simona Shur ’18

Class of 2018

credit: Simona Shur ’18

Off to College

The Class of 2018 will be attending 53 colleges next year, and three students are taking a gap year. Thirty-five percent of the class will stay in California, while four students will attend university outside of the country. Twelve students are pursuing computer science and engineering related fields; six students are enrolling in visual arts-related programs; and three students are pursuing journalism.

Colleges in bold are where students chose to attend. The asterisks indicate how many students are matriculating this year. Academy of Art University American University* (The) American University of Paris Arcadia University Arizona State University The University of Arizona Auburn University Babson College Bard College Bates College Belmont University Beloit College Bentley University Boston College** Boston University** Brandeis University* University of British Columbia, CAN*** Bucknell University California College of the Arts University of California, Davis University of California, Irvine*** University of California, Los Angeles*** University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside University of California, San Diego* University of California, Santa Barbara* University of California, Santa Cruz*** Califonia Polytechnic Instit at Pomona California Polytechnic Institute at SLO California State Univ., Channel Islands California State University, Chico California State University, Monterey Bay California State University, Sacramento California Lutheran University Case Western Reserve University Centre College Chapman University Claremont McKenna College* Clark University University of Colorado, Boulder Colorado College Colorado School of Mines Colorado State University Columbia College (IL) Connecticut College

Cornell University* Cornish College of the Arts Coverntry University CUNY New York University of Denver DePaul University* Diablo Valley College**** Dickinson College Drexel University Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University* Emerson College* Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College George Washington University Gettysburg College Goucher College Grinell College Hampshire College Haverford College* Hofstra University College of the Holy Cross Hult International Business School Humboldt State University University of Illinois - Chicago University of Illinois* Iowa State University* Ithaca College Juniata College The King’s College Knox College Lafayette College* Lehigh University* Lesley University Lewis and Clark College Louisiana State University* Loyola-Marymount University*** Macalester College*** Manhattan College Marquette University* Massachusetts College of Art & Design University of Massachusetts - Amherst Miami University University of Miami

University of Michigan Michigan State University University of Mississippi New York University**** Northeastern University Notre Dame de Namur University Oberlin College* Occidental College* Ohio Wesleyan University Olin College of Engineering* Oregon State University University of Oregon* Otis College of Art & Design Oxford Brookes University* Oxford College of Emory* Pace University Pacific Northwest College of Art* University of the Pacific Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh* Pitzer College* Pomona College* Portland State University University of Puget Sound*** Purdue University* University of Redlands Reed College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Richmond Ringling College of Art & Design University of Rochester Rochester Institute of Technology* Rollins College Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Saint Mary’s College of California* San Diego State University University of San Diego San Fransicso State University University of San Fransicso** Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College* School of the Art Institute of Chicago Seattle University Skidmore College Sonoma State University

University of Southern California** Southern Oregon University St. Olaf College University of St. Thomas Steven’s Institute of Technology* Suffolk University Syracuse University* Temple University Texas A & M Texas Christian University University of Texas* The New School* The Ohio State University University of Toronto Trinity College Trinity University Tufts University*** Tulane University Union College United States Coast Guard Academy United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy* University of Brighton (UK) University of Greenwich (UK) University of Surrey University of Utah Vassar College University of Vermont University of Victoria Villanova University* Wagner College Washington & Lee University Washington College Washington University, St. Louis* University of Washington* Western Washington University Wheaton College (MA) Whitman College* Whittier College Willamette University College of William & Mary Wofford College College of Wooster Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2018

ALUMNI

Lifetime Athenians Leaving the Nest Dick Bradford Dick Bradford retired this past June after 37 years at Athenian. Initially a literature teacher, Dick went on to wear many hats, both figuratively and literally, during his time at Athenian. In addition to being a beloved teacher of Shakespeare, Dick served as a dorm head, JV soccer and basketball coach, baseball coach, chair of the Humanities department, advisor, acting Head of School in 2002 during Eleanor Dase’s sabbatical, and for the last 25 years, Head of Upper School. As for the other hats he wore, a variety of baseball caps graced his round pate throughout the years, and in more recent times, a rainbow wig during Color Wars.

credit: Tom Swope

Dick lived on campus for most of his time at Athenian. He and his wife Molly McClure were married on campus in the hills in 1990 and had their reception on the East Lawn. Dick and Molly’s children, Meg ’10 and Ellie, grew up at Athenian, and both attended the School.

Dick came to be known at Athenian as the poet in residence. Reliably ready with a poem for any occasion, Dick graced decades of Athenian students with the way he illuminated the beauty, insight, comfort, and delight that can be found in poetry. Dick led by example, modeling that nothing was beneath him (like stacking chairs) and that there’s a time and a place for everything (like singing Love Potion No. 9 or shedding a somber tear). Dick was honored this year with a variety of special tributes in an attempt to recognize the endless ways he helped form The Athenian School we know today. Students initiated a number of tributes to him during his last year. The Class of 2019 penned a beautiful poem in the style of Dick’s annual ode to the senior class. The hOWLers sang “Wild Geese”, an original arrangement by Genevieve DeWalt ’18 and Luke Girzadas ’20. The Athenian Parent Association dedicated a new oak tree to Dick at the Gala in March in recognition of his grounding presence at the school. And the library will now be known as the Bradford Library, because Dick was, first and foremost, an English teacher. Dick and Molly will enjoy retirement living in Inverness. Dick plans on taking up his pen again and hopes to return to an unfinished novel between travel, cycling on his new electric bicycle, and spending time with his family.

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

ALUMNI

Stephen Herrick Stephen was the entire music program when he came to Athenian, teaching choir and band in both the Upper and Middle School. Over the next 27 years, music at the School grew under Stephen’s oversight into a four-person program with band, choir, an advanced band, and numerous ensembles. Stephen was a champion for the arts and worked collaboratively with his colleagues to ensure students could participate in all the arts and athletics without conflict. Stephen was also an enthusiastic student advisor, fine arts department chair, fearless leader of the 9th grade Pt. Reyes Orientation trip, and 9th grade Art, Identity, and Culture teacher. As a resident at Athenian for many years, Stephen was committed to the boarding program and to the residential community. His daughters, Nicole ’06 and Ariana ’08, graduated from the School. Stephen and June will retire in Sonoma County where he will continue to play music, enjoy his children and grandchildren, get involved with the local art and education scene, and travel.

Kathleen Huntington and Jim Sternberg Kathleen was the Dean of Students in the Upper School since 2005. Kathleen was responsible for student life at Athenian and facilitated the boarding program, Interim trips, student clubs, the disciplinary committee, and the advisory program. Kathleen took us to the next level with our student/parent handbook as well as emergency protocols and risk management, clarifying and establishing policies, and ensuring clear documentation. During Kathleen’s time here, she was a very active member of the boarding and residential community, and promoted initiatives to alleviate student stress including Challenge Success, the peer resource program, and the Athenian Sexual Assault Prevention Program. She also designed the interdisciplinary and experiential California Water course, was the unexpected comedic relief in the Faculty/Staff Shows and a member of Athenian’s Community Choir, and was known amongst faculty for her one-of-a-kind thoughtful gift giving. Jim served as Athenian’s Library Director for the last 12 years. Jim worked closely with the Library Advisory Board and large crew of parent volunteers to build the library program well beyond books. Students can borrow tools, technology equipment, and e-readers from the library as well as purchase snacks during breaks. In addition to his literary work, Jim started at Athenian as the Interim Community Service Director. The Outdoor Adventure Club Advisor, he led students on at least four adventure trips annually for years. Jim’s advisory helped conceive of the trail around Athenian contributing to the school-wide effort to build what is now the Tim Holm Trail as well as the Sternberg Spur, an offshoot that backs up to Mt. Diablo State Park. Jim was a supportive presence on campus and an active member of the residential community. Kathleen and Jim lived on campus together with their two children, Tyler ’13 and Tessa ’15. They are retiring to Oregon and are planning a year of travelling around the country and enjoying the National Parks.

2018

Annual Report 2017–2018

From the Board of Trustees

Gratitude This was a banner year for Athenian. With the completion of the largest fundraising campaign in the School’s history came a meaningful transformation of the campus. The Make It Meaningful Campaign, a five-year effort, raised a total of $12.4 million dollars. The new Kate and Dyke Brown Hall, Carter Innovation Studio, Freeman Commons, Wang Science Center, and 10 new classrooms are a testament to the deep philanthropic commitment of the community. No less meaningful was the Board’s focus on ensuring that the School’s academic program is always forward thinking and that we have the resources in place to support this education and to make it more accessible to all. I am confident that the School is stronger than ever and well positioned for the next decade and beyond. I hope that you will take the time to read through the pages that follow. The generosity of Athenian’s parents, trustees, alumni, alumni parents, faculty and staff, and other friends of the School is remarkable. In addition to wrapping up the Campaign, last year’s Annual Fund, a significant source of non-tuition revenue for the School, remained strong, with recordsetting community participation. I look forward to seeing the Annual Fund continue to grow in the coming years—providing for programmatic innovation, greater access to an Athenian education, and unparalleled teaching excellence. Athenian’s Gala volunteers also deserve a special thank you. A Night Among the Stars was a true celebration of community and helped fund a variety of school beautification projects, including outdoor furniture for our students and aesthetic improvements to the campus entrance. On a personal note, I am a new Athenian alumni parent with my daughter’s graduation last June. This coming year also marks my final year as Board Chair as Beth Borchers, parent of Nate ’14, Anna ’16, and Julia ’20, prepares to take over the board’s leadership. My wife Stacy and I are immensely grateful for the friendships we have created and for all that Athenian has provided our family over the years. With deep appreciation,

Dave Welsh

2018-19 Board of Trustees Thank you to our dedicated Board of Trustees for their commitment, time, leadership, and many meaningful contributions to Athenian. We thank Kathryn Craft Rogers, Walter Peters, and Lisa Thompson for their service through June 2018. Wendell C. Arnold ’92 Beth Borchers Vince Chow Michael Connolly ’71 Tony Dominguez Allison Fletcher ’96 Patty Frazer Josh Freeman Debby Grauman Guy Henshaw

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

Nicole Holthuis John Kohler ’88 Angel Lewis ’92 Russell Patton ’07 Esha Ray Susan Reckers Sharam Sasson Monica Streifer ’05 Kathy Torru Laura Victorino

David Welsh, Board Chair Ruth Winchell-Moyes ’89 Catherine Yewell Advisory Board Members Hansol Hong ’06 Matt Okazaki ’06 Honorary Trustees Bea Winslow ’75

Lifetime Honorary Trustees Judy Carter Steven Davenport Legacy Trustee Jim Wang Ex-Officio Eric Niles

At this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Night Among the Stars Gala, we celebrated the infinite possibilities of an Athenian education and the luminary faculty who make it happen. With over 250 attendees, the event was a huge success and all who came enjoyed an elegant tented evening on campus. The Athenian Parent Association dedicated a live oak tree to Dick Bradford wishing him well in his retirement. Thanks to the generous paddle raisers who funded new outdoor furniture and landscaping around campus, including in the Middle School, the front entrance to the School, and in the heart of campus by our new buildings. A special thanks to Molly Andrus and the team of nearly 50 volunteersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;your creativity, energy, and hours of support made it a night to remember!

2018

ALUMNI

Day of Giving: Fund-One-Owl Look what our community can do! In 2017-18, we raised $41,320 for financial aid in just one day. Thank you to the many alumni and alumni parents who participated! The Fund-One-Owl initiative is now in its third year, and we’re excited to see what’s possible. When you make a gift to financial aid, you make an investment in someone’s future. Your support will help Athenian accept and enroll exceptional students whose potential is limited only by financial resources. We are humbled to see our alumni community come together in support of such an important cause. Thank you! Save the date and spread the word: We will kick off this year’s Fund-One-Owl on November 27, 2018!

New Alumni Board Members Athenian’s Board of Trustees boasts many Athenian alumni, and we are pleased to welcome two new alumni to this year’s Board.

Angel Lewis ’92

2017-18

Alumni Council Marnye Langer ’81 Patrick Quinn ’84 Bryna Winchell-Ross ’84 Melissa (Barry) Hansen ’85 Kerry Marsh ’86 John Kohler ’88 Ruth Winchell Moyes ’89 Angel Lewis ’92 Jamahn Lee ’94 Emily McDonnell ’04 Matt Okazaki ’06 Daniella Smith ’10 Elizabeth Newey ’11

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

Angel Lewis is a member of the class of 1992 who left Athenian prior to graduating but attended for five years and completed AWE. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Angel was a civil litigator for many years before starting her own business as an employment lawyer and human resources consultant. In 2016, she stopped practicing law and accepted a position as the People Relations and Inclusion Lead at the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that supports Wikipedia and other open source projects. Angel has been a member of the Athenian Alumni Council since approximately 2004 and served as President of the Council from 2014 to 2016. After graduating from Athenian in 1989, Ruth Winchell-Moyes attended Tufts University in Boston, followed by UC Davis to pursue graduate work. Vacationing in Belize, Ruth met her husband Chris Moyes. Chris’ job as a professor in the Biology Department at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario resulted in a move to Canada Ruth Winchell-Moyes ’89 and family in 1996 where they had their three children. As a parent to middle and high school aged children, Ruth was able to better appreciate the opportunities that an Athenian education and nurturing community afforded her. The Winchell-Moyes family relocated to the Bay Area in 2014 to give their kids the Athenian experience that was so important to Ruth. Jordan ’18 and Nathan ’17 have graduated from Athenian and Miriam ’24 is in the Middle School. In joining the Board of Trustees, Ruth hopes that her experience as an alum, parent of alumnae, and current parent will contribute different perspectives, honoring the heart and soul of Athenian as the School moves into the future.

ALUMNI

Alumni Class Notes

1968 Andy Sorokowski: My translations of the contemporary Ukrainian poet, Natalka Bilotserkivets, appeared in Subliminal Poetry and Art (December 2017) and Peacock Journal (January 2018). I remember that my love of poetry blossomed during my years at Athenian under the guidance of English teachers Mr. Saltzman and Mr. Louis Knight, and Spanish teacher Mr. John Schmitt.

1972 David Buchanan: I am proud to report that my homemade wines have won Double Gold medals at both the California State Fair and the Orange County fair.

AWE Then and Now

1973

Holly Erickson: Ever since the Women’s March, that involved so many Athenian alums, I have been deeply involved in the Resistance Movement. I belong to Solidarity Sundays and SF Rise and Resist and am associated with Sister District and Indivisible. It has been great. Marching is absolutely thrilling and everything else—the letter writing and phone calls and petitions—not so much—but needed. My daughter (age 11) holds fundraising bake sales and lemonade stands. I have also taken over the publication of a soap opera fanzine. It is for the British soap opera, EastEnders, which is the most popular show in Britain. Don’t ask. But I had to learn a whole new set of skills and it’s hella fun. Does anyone want to subscribe to the Walford Gazette? Contact me.

1974 Richard Bradley: Living in Portugal since 2008—married with a lovely daughter and teaching English. Underachieving perhaps but more than content. :-)

1974 Margaret Barnett Stogner: Still living in Annapolis, making documentaries and teaching film at American University in Washington, DC. Sons launched and doing well in Portland, OR, and Los Angeles. Had a lovely visit recently with Karen Uhlmann at MOMA in NYC. Best thing about Facebook is staying in touch with my Athenian friends! Alumni Class Notes continued on page 36

The Athenian Wilderness Experience has been part of an Athenian education

since 1972 (students participated in Outward Bound from 1969-72). The nature of the course has stayed the same, but some of the details have changed over the years. Take a look back at AWE through the years.

Then: Finals

Now: Independence

The capstone experience of the Athenian Wilderness Experience is the period when students lead their own group free from the instructors to prove they have learned enough about leadership and trail skills. This last test was referred to as “Finals.”

In the 90s, some students suggested that the name “Finals” was too academic and did not instill a feeling of accomplishment. They suggested the name be changed to “Independence.” Then and Now continued on page 36 2018

ALUMNI Alumni Class Notes continued…

1977

1984

Marsea Marcus-Rotman: Well, after all these years, I finally got married in May 2016. I am a psychotherapist; I have co-written 3 books, the latest one for kids with body image problems (Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Breaking the “I Feel Fat”); and I still have great fondness for my time at The Athenian School.

Nick Rhind: I am having a great summer in the lab, particularly because I am hosting Lauren Hollis ’19 as a summer intern. She is doing a great job studying how yeast cells know how big they are.

1981 Khorshied Nusratty: John Macallister (’77) and I (’81) were reunited via Facebook in June 2017 after nearly 35 years. We first met at an Athenian party in Alamo when I was 15 and he was 19. Then we reconnected in Los Angeles in 1983. Entire lifetimes have been lived, and yet we’re giggling like teenagers again. Truly amazing to be together. We are blessed!

degrees at USC next spring, so another joint graduation is on the horizon.

1987 Drew Haldane: Wife. Kids. Dog. Job. House in the suburbs.

1998 Rebecca Good: In celebration of our 20th reunion, Kwynn Perry (formerly Sanders), Alix Kane, and I went hiking in Joshua Tree last May! During the trip, Kwynn and I realized we are both scheduled to finish our doctoral

2001 Timothy O’Neill: I worked on the documentary feature film, The War to Be Her, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and aired on PBS in July 2018. The film follows Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a Pakistani squash player from the remote tribal areas who disguised

AWE Then and Now

Then: Chapatis

Now: Bickies

Then: 10-Mile Run-In

Now: 8-Mile Run-in

In the early days of AWE, students were encouraged to eat like the pioneers who once trekked through the same areas, cooking their own chapati-style breads in a frying pan every night.

After the first couple of years, we opted to pack the classic backpacking staple: pilot crackers. While not the most delicious of baked goods, the biscuits affectionately known as Bickies sparked a number of AWE traditions including the Bickie Challenge.

The final hurdle of AWE has been Run-in from the very beginning. However, this grueling run back to campus used to be 10 miles long when it first began in the 70s and students would run up the driveway.

Housing developments and various changes to the route ended up decreasing the overall distance to 8 miles and students now cross the traditional toilet paper finish line on the field.

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

ALUMNI herself as a boy in order to compete, only to receive death threats from the Taliban.

Spring 2018. I enjoy hiking along the foothills of Los Angeles county on my study breaks. I am excited for the adventures to come.

2006 Mira (Miranda) Mickiewicz: After many years of teaching outdoor education (nature awareness, sailing, backpacking, ecology, survival skills, etc.), I shifted my focus to serving the spiritual needs of communities. In May, I graduated with my Master’s of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley. Over the summer I moved to Portland, Oregon, where I serve as the Intern Minister at the First Unitarian Church of Portland, one of the final steps on my path toward Unitarian Universalist ordination. I would love to connect with other Athenian alums in the Portland area!

2010 Tiana Fulton: This year I graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, got engaged to my best friend and soulmate, and began working as an Intern Veterinarian in the East Bay. Thanks Athenian for the everlasting friendships and lessons that have helped me through what was a very long and grueling process! Now I can proudly wear the title of “Doctor.”

2010

2011

Stephanie Fitch: I started working on a PhD in Intercultural Education

Michael Wiener: I’ve begun my career as a singer and music producer

in Long Beach, CA. I’m set to release my third EP record July 20 of this year! Felt like updating y’all!

2012 Jonathan White: I finished working as a technician at UC Berkeley this June. I look forward to starting my PhD in Bioengineering at Caltech this fall and celebrating my one-year wedding anniversary with my wife, Heather.

CALL FOR CLASS NOTES The Class Notes section of the Magazine is where alumni can see what their classmates are up to. Our hope is for this section to be as robust as possible. For the next issue, please contact us at alumni@athenian.org

Then: Bear Watch

Now: Bear Cans

Then: Water Jugs

Now: Water Bags

One constant of the High Sierra AWE has been the need to protect our goods from bears. Before the more high-tech solutions were developed, students could have been stationed on Bear Watch, taking shifts throughout the night to guard the food and supplies.

These days our students use bear cans, which effectively protect their contents from bears. The downside of the cans is that they are heavy and need to be carried throughout the entire trip.

One of the hardest parts of the Death Valley AWE has always been the need to carry large amounts of water. Students once needed to carry stiff jugs in their backpacks.

Now students use flexible dromedary-type water sacks that are easier to pack.

2018

ALUMNI

Alumni Adventures 2017â&#x20AC;&#x201C;18

Owl Bowl We celebrated Thanksgiving by playing our annual flag football game.

Alumni Day Dozens of alumni visited campus in January to share their experiences and advice with current students on a variety of topics. Alumni also had lunch with the senior class and took on the students in a soccer game.

Graduation Morning Summit Run Our third annual Summit Run included a capstone moment for one Athenian family. The entire Inamine family trained for a month to prepare for the run to signify the end of a decade at Athenian.

Care Package Stuffing Party Alumni and alumni parents gathered to stuff care packages for our youngest alumni in their first year of college.

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

ALUMNI

Reunion

Alumni Community Service Day

This year we celebrated the 50th Reunion of Athenian’s first graduating class: the class of 1968. Alumni caught up with old friends, tie-dyed, had lunch, and received tours of the new Kate and Dyke Brown Hall.

Alumni and current students pitched in to help restore trails and repair bollards on Mt. Diablo.

Holiday Party

Alumni Cabaret

Local alumni gathered at Perry’s Embarcadero for drinks and revelry at our holiday party in San Francisco.

Alumni Author Talks Emily Liebowitz ‘03 spoke about becoming a poet and read from her book of poetry, National Park. Daniel Ziblatt ‘90, a Harvard professor, visited the Nations and Nationalism class and shared his new book How Democracies Die. Obi Kaufmann ‘91 spoke at Symposium about The California Field Atlas, part art book and part field guide.

Our first Alumni Cabaret was a huge success, with a dozen acts of alumni musicians, dancers, and other performers entertaining us into the night.

2018

ALUMNI

Come back to the nest! Nearly 3,000 strong, our Alumni Association has more momentum than ever. From alumni soccer games to mentoring opportunities, there are many ways to get involved as an Athenian alum!

Join us for one of our many adventures, like Community Service Day, the Owl Bowl, or the

Mt. Diablo Summit Run. Save the date for Alumni Day on January 9, 2019, and Reunion celebrating the milestone classes ending in ‘9 and ‘4 on June 8, 2019.

Make a difference in the lives of our students by coming to Alumni Day or donating to Financial Aid through Fund-One-Owl.

Be a mentor to current students or young alumni through the Athenian Link platform.

Participate in alumni leadership by attending an Alumni Council Meeting. Just email alumni@athenian.org!

Keep up with the latest updates by reading The Hoot, or come back to visit campus and check out the changes we’ve been making.

2017-18 APA Board Maxine Ball Elizabeth Carey

Thank you A special thank you to the Athenian Parent Association Board and its 100+ volunteers who were vital community builders and event organizers in the 2017-18 school year.

40 T H E

AT H E N I A N S C H O O L

Wendy Coleman Julianne Gable, President Ginna Girzadas Elisa Merrifield Susan Mun

ALUMNI

Athenian Remembers Bruce Beernink ’86

Bruce Beernink, class of 1986, passed away on May 3, 2018, following a tragic accident in Aptos, California. He touched so many lives with his kind and gentle spirit, deep knowledge of permaculture, and great love of farming and caring for the Earth. Gone way too soon, he truly made the world a better place.

Mark Carter Mark Carter was the parent of three Athenian alums (Katie ’13, Hayley ’15, and Matt ’16) and the husband of Trustee Judy Carter. Mark was a Lafayette native who built a billiondollar real estate investment firm cultivating a company of loyal employees. The Carters have been tireless supporters of Athenian and our mission. The Carter MPR and Carter Innovation Studio both bear their name, yet Mark’s impact

has been so much broader over the years. Mark was known for his warmth, humility, friendship, and generosity and will be remembered for his loving and authentic support. Mark passed away unexpectedly in December 2017. See page 32 to read about the endowment fund established in his memory.

Tom Vennum

Tom Vennum, who taught music, ethnomusicology, and cultural anthropology at Athenian in the early 1970s, passed away last fall in his beloved northern woods of Wisconsin at the age of 82. Following his time at Athenian, he became staff ethnomusicologist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Dr. Vennum spent 22 years there, orchestrated the Smithsonian’s annual Festival of American Folklife, continued extensive field research, wrote books and produced films on Native American drum making and canoe building, and penned the definitive work on the Native American roots of lacrosse. He also found time to work with friend Grateful Dead drummer Micky Hart in producing recordings and books on indigenous peoples’ drumming. As all who knew him will attest, Tommy profoundly touched many lives at Athenian and elsewhere. Chi-miigwetch, friend.

Have a Summer of Awesome with Athenian Summer Programs Last year, more Athenians than ever participated in our summer programs! Send the whole family to camp at Athenian and create a summer of awesome for kindergarteners through rising juniors. Visit www.athenian.org/summer for a full list of our camps, classes, and paid summer jobs for older students. Know friends abroad whose students would love to spend a summer in the Bay Area? Tell them about Athenian’s Summer English Language Program! Learn more at www.athenian.org/selp.

2018

PAID 2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Danville, CA 94506 925-837-5375 www.athenian.org

“As we hiked from the Racetrack, we entered a canyon and the weather was changing from a 75-degree day to a 45-degree day. We went around a bend and the kids were silenced into awe discovering an enormous bighorn sheep skeleton. When we got to our camp spot, the weather kept shifting and getting cooler. Facing the Racetrack, we saw beautiful pendular pillows of clouds catching the rays of sunlight behind Mt. Whitney. The kids were shocked and awed. And then it started to snow. Watching a great sunset in the snow with giddy kids, I was reminded, yes, this is why I do this job.” —Jason Ham, AWE Co-Director

T H E AT H E N I A N S C H O O L