class notes
’93
’92 Reena Patton ’92 reunited with fellow dormies in San Francisco.
Marcee Rogers Chapman says, “The past year and a half, I have been working on a dream cultivated while a student at Casti, to earn a PhD. I completed coursework in December and am currently working on my dissertation in education policy. I miss the Bay Area and hope to come back soon as a faculty member at one of the colleges there.” Joanna Busza is still working in reproductive health, but now expanding into maternal health, with a new project starting up in Ethiopia. “The country is beautiful—much of it is green and lush—and the food is the best in Africa (don’t let stereotypical images of famine and drought fool you). Also, I am getting ready to turn 40 in the next few months—I am planning a ‘mutton dressed as lamb’-themed party and will be squeezing back into my high school prom dress. Photos to follow!”
Karen Phipps Anderson is the new vice president of litigation and disputes at Flextronics.
1991
Michele Harari Goldwasser bimini356@yahoo.com
1992
Laila Haq Collins collinslaila@gmail.com Recently in San Francisco Reena Patton reunited with other dormies (Laila Haq
Collins, Francis “Marie” Calvo-Monge, and Valerie Chiam) to celebrate the marriage of a close friend. “There we were in Nob Hill being mischievous, once again. What happens in the City...well, y’know the rest…and saw the movie and the sequel.”
1993
Courtney Dyar cdyarsf@hotmail.com Lauren Carreker Leary laureneliseleary@gmail.com
76 | full circle
Janki Bhuva Shah ’93 with her family.
Having settled nicely in Ireland after 6 years, Heather Beckett Oakes finally gained Irish citizenship in June. Her third boy, Arden Beckett Oakes, was born at home a few hours after Thanksgiving Day at 6:46 am GMT November 25, 2011, weighing 7 lbs 9oz. “Everything is going very well, and big brothers Finnian (5) and Oran (3) are delighted with the new addition, who they call ‘My Baby!’” Her husband, Dan, is currently in his third year of training to be a midwife. She is a founding member of the Father McNally Chamber Orchestra and was just appointed to the panel of music tutors for the U2-funded Music Generation Louth. She also teaches a few students violin in between full-time duties with her boys. Check out pictures of Heather’s family and learn more about the Father McNally Chamber Orchestra on Facebook!
Janki Bhuva Shah is feeling time fly: “It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 20 years since leaving Castilleja and that I’ve been out of the Bay Area for 16 years. I married a fellow Stanford alum, Kayur, in 2001. We live in Calabasas, which is a suburb northwest of Los Angeles. I work at the University of California, Los Angeles as an invasive cardiologist. I thoroughly love my job, but am still struggling to find the perfect work-life balance. I have two fun-loving, inquisitive, and amazing children–Amiya (2) and Avi (4). Prior to having children, we traveled extensively around the world—scuba diving, golfing, hiking, and going on safaris. Now all our vacations are spent in San Diego—at Legoland and at the beach building sand castles! And I love it! I really enjoy seeing so many classmates’ Facebook updates and hope to see you at our 20th reunion next year!”
1994
Jennifer Cady Logan skinbyjennifer@gmail.com Pratima Sethi’s family is growing! “In September we welcomed a new addition to our family. Sienna was born on September 3. Her older sister, Amelie (almost 3), is having a blast getting to know her little sister. This year is also the official launch of my jewelry line, Sethi
’94 Pratima Sethi ’94, husband Amaury, new baby Sienna, and big sister Amelie.
Couture, as an independent company. I moved from my father’s office to a new space. So needless to say it’s been a busy year. My husband, Amaury, and I and the kids are still living in San Francisco. With dinners and play dates, we get a chance to see other Casti alums such as
Lisa Kitayama, Suzan Huang Grisanti, Subena Mahal, and Vy Le. Younger alums such as Prerna Sethi ’99 (my sister), Ambika Malwah Nangia ’97, and Radhika Malwah Sahney ’00 are also nearby for regular get-togethers.”
Michelle Forgy Ellis writes, “After slowing down and working part-time for the last couple of years to be home more with my girls, Allison (4) and Bridget (15 months), I decided it was time to start the next big adventure in my life. I am opening a veterinary practice called Pinnacle Animal Hospital in San Jose. The expected opening is early July. We’re planning a big open house, and I would love to give a tour to any Casti alumnae in the area!” For more about Michelle’s adventures, see her profile on page 52.
1995
Sarah Shenfield Helling sk31haras@hotmail.com Lisa Vocker Lofberg lcvlteach@mac.com Christine Chang Leyva and her husband, Arthur, welcomed to the world their first child on March 4, 2012. Flint Chang Leyva weighed in at 6 lbs 15 oz, and was 20”. “Mama, Papa, and Baby are doing great and loving life in Texas!!”
Lise Traugott Latour is still close to campus: “My husband, Kirk, and I are living in Palo Alto with our two wonderful boys, Michael (almost 4) and Logan (almost 2). I have been working as a nurse at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in their Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit for the last 8 years. Although it is an emotional roller coaster taking care of sick children, it is also unbelievably rewarding and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”