Cate School 2016 Summer Bulletin

CATE Summer 2016

Editor Sarah Kidwell Design Phillip Collier Design Studio Copy Editor Jeff Barton Student Editors Sam Hill ‘16 Yvette Vega ‘16 Photographers Ashleigh Mower, Bobby Curtis, Joe Gottwald '10, Barclay Fernandez, Jay Farbman

Headmaster Benjamin D. Williams IV Assistant Headmaster, External Affairs Meg Bradley Director of Marketing and Communications Sarah Kidwell Multimedia Coordinator Ashleigh Mower Communications Assistant Joe Gottwald '10 Archivist Ginger Williams Cate Fund Director Colin Donovan Director of Alumni Relations Andrew MacDonnell Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving Chris Giles Director of Admission Charlotte Brownlee ’85 The Cate Bulletin is published three times a year

by Cate School and is distributed free of charge to alumni, parents, and friends of the School. Send correspondence and address changes to: communications@cate.org The Cate Bulletin is printed by V3 on Topkote paper.

MISSION STATEMENT Through commitment, scholarship, companionship, and service, each member of the Cate community contributes to what our founder called "...the spirit of this place...all compounded of beauty and virtue, quiet study, vigorous play, and hard work."

TA BL E OF C ON T E N T S

IN EVERY ISSUE 2

FROM THE ARCHIVES

67

CLASS NOTES

75

IN MEMORIAM

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ENDPAGE

THE 103RD COMMENCEMENT The Mesa was enshrouded in fog as the 103rd Commencement got underway, though nothing could dampen the spirits of the 72 graduates, their families, friends, and teachers.

23 CUM LAUDE ADDRESS Pursuing Your Path Roberta L. Rudnick

26 BACCALAUREATE ADDRESSES Mikaela Li '16, Oliver Welch '16 and Engaged in the World by Ryan Bradley '02

32 THE CLASS OF 2016 3

INVOCATION Meg Bradley

4

HEADMASTER'S ADDRESS Striving Outside the Light Ben Williams

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FACULTY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Consider the Universe Brooks Hansen

11

In a Commencement tradition, Headmaster Ben Williams gathers observations, teacher and advisor comments, and campus lore to craft a “literary snapshot” of each senior.

52 COMMENCEMENT THROUGH THE LENS 54 TRANSITIONS: DEPARTING FACULTY 58 CAMP CATE 2016

STUDENT COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Our Privilege Joel Serugo '16

16 2015/2016 AWARDS

Front Cover: Exuberant and ebullient on Commencement Day, Julie Phan '16 listens to her senior citation.

Photo by Bobby Curtis

Maria Rios '16 and Minty Pham '16 prepare to commence.

ON THE WEB  Peruse the event calendar and look up old friends at www.cate.org/alumni.  Find the latest Cate news at www.cate.org/news.  Find all of this and more on our mobile site at www.cate.org on your smartphone.  LINKEDIN: Join our LinkedIn career networking group “Cate School Alumni & Friends” at cate.org/linkedin.  FACEBOOK: Befriend Curtis Wolsey Cate and become a Facebook fan of Cate School.  TWITTER: Follow updates on Cate’s twitter profile “Cate_School.”  INSTAGRAM: Follow @cate_school on Instagram for your daily dose of life on the Mesa.

F ROM T H E A RC H I V E S

In 1984, Cate was in transition from an all-boys institution to a co-educational one. While co-education is now part of the fabric of School, those early days were marked by growth and big strides, as students recalled in the summer Bulletin of that year.

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

I N VO C AT ION

Invocation Good Morning to the Class of 2016, trustees, families and friends, faculty and staff: It is with a wonderful sense of celebration that I issue this invocation. My prayer today is to ask God to be present as we celebrate at this very special gathering – and for each of us to call to mind, in our own way, that which is spiritual in our lives.

I ask the Class of 2016 to please take a quiet moment to reflect on your time on this Mesa, and then to look around…

This is, indeed, a rare moment, a moment when you are surrounded by those who love you (your devoted family, teachers, mentors, and friends), all of whom are here to celebrate the amazing gift of a Cate education … an education that has given you the skills you need to adeptly move on in life, and that has, hopefully, pointed the way to a deeper understanding of what your life should be and the purpose therein.

My prayer for each of you is that, as your search for meaning continues, you lead lives filled with curiosity, passion, gratitude, love, and, of course, service.

Servons!

Meg Bradley Assistant Headmaster, External Affairs

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Striving Outside the Light HEADMASTER'S COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY BEN WILLIAMS Ladies and gentlemen, trustees, faculty, honored guests, and particularly the Cate Class of 2016: I have a stack of books on my desk right now waiting to be read. I’m something of a binge reader, diving in when I get the chance and staying in until life and circumstance pull me out.

Of course, I’ve been writing more than reading of late, as I – like you – look back and reflect on the year we acknowledge with these Commencement exercises.

Perhaps things will be different in a few weeks, when the statute of limitations on nostalgia has expired, and we are compelled again to look forward – or at least look elsewhere.

I’ll reach for those books then, most of which were gifts from folks who know

even in pajamas, which seem to be the

same way you did your own narratives –

me and my tastes. You can learn a lot

preferred garment of this class.

because you wanted to be provocative,

about people from the books they read.

to build dialogue, to think about the

All our choices say something about us,

choices this year – choices that

diversity of life experience in the world.

and the ones that connect us to the stories

contributed to your principled yet humble

Remember Coalhouse’s words to Sarah:

of others are particularly informative.

leadership. You started the year with the

I see his face

faculty, discussing issues of gender and

I hear his heartbeat

don’t know your individual reading tastes,

power. You were forthright and candid,

I look in those eyes

but I do know about your penchant for

interested in both the discussion and its

How wise they seem.

friendship. In my eighteen years on this

participants. You were also patient and

Mesa, I have never encountered a more

purposeful, helping us to understand

and you have seen it in one another. It’s

cohesive and connected class. You know

better the world that you encounter and

the sentiment that causes us to hold on so

and admire one another. That’s clear. It’s

the forces that define and distinguish it.

tightly to our moments, to the present, to

You all know something about that. I

your greatest collective virtue.

It’s funny, too, where your mutual

4

You made compelling and affirming

You are a brave group, unusually

We have seen the very thing in you,

one another and to Cate.

Any man can get where he wants to,

thoughtful and unvarnished with this

affection is most conspicuous: at

entire community. Your Tuesday Talks

sings Coalhouse, If he’s got some fire in his

overflowing tables in the dining hall, on

set a whole new standard for insight,

soul.

the sidelines of games, in bubble soccer,

originality, and personality. You are not

at Peter Marcus’ cookouts, or in the

afraid to be vulnerable or to acknowledge

no shortage of fire. Perhaps that very

evening at the old gym when the pick-up

a fault or flaw. You don’t presume to

thing brought you to Cate in the first

basketball starts; even on the dance floor

know all, but as Emma so wonderfully

place – to use one opportunity to enable

at prom. It’s there in friendships forged

articulated, you know what you believe.

a host of others. Do you remember

in sport or in song, in class or on stage,

You brought us Ragtime in the

that moment of commitment? Do

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

You too have places to go now, and

H E A DM A S T E R' S C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

you remember what you committed yourselves to?

Was it to one thing? Or to everything

and “role model” are thrown your way a lot.

Do you wonder what inspires such

Julia Gan’s forehand, and Jacob Meyer’s earthy outdoor ethic. Remember Maliha

affection? Maybe it’s your conspicuous

in ‘25 House with her girls, Lauren Zahm

and everyone? Did it go the way you

achievements: ceramic pieces by Ryan

teaching, Mal swimming, Jack as John

planned? Are you happy that it didn’t?

and Jonathan, drawings by Charlotte

Proctor, Brandon’s Spring Fling, Elizabeth

I’ll bet right now you are wondering

Pecot and Mikaela Li, Hannah Jorgensen

embracing her inner introvert, or Joel

about those books on my desk. There are

in song. Maybe it’s Keller running over

jumping farther than we could imagine.

a couple of biographies – one about Crazy

a would-be tackler, Isaiah dancing

Horse, the enigmatic Sioux who is even

around one, or Jessica Liou and Prem just

but there is grit too. Just watch Hannah

less understood by his own people than

dancing. Perhaps it’s Dean’s hustle, Al-X

Bowlin compete, Jillian Rogers or Max

he is by those he made a life trying to

rapping, Alondra and Maria coding, or

Vasquez or McKenna Madden fight

fight. Another is on Thomas Jefferson, a

Graeme and Porter acting.

through injury, Morgan and Oliver

man whose long-celebrated achievements

What about the power of your

These are graceful things mostly,

carry the volleyball team on their broad

are increasingly being juxtaposed with

expressions, as in Sam Hill’s or Gabi

shoulders, Peyton Shelburne leap or

personal attitudes and behaviors that are

Limón’s writing, Cecelia on the oboe,

Charlotte Monke run. How about

far less worthy of approval or acclaim.

James on the violin, or Eunbie on the

Christian’s leadership of the basketball

City of Thorns is on the pile too, a story of

piano? Maybe it’s Ajibola’s smile, Jason’s

team, Ever’s knowledge of current events,

nine people living in Dadaab, the largest

jazz, Jacob Farner’s digital music, or

or Jae’s ability to talk with his hands?

refugee camp in the world, located along

Minty’s accent?

There is in each of you something

the Kenyan border with Somalia.

There’s some fiction as well: Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One and two books by Colum McCann, one of which is our inquiry read for next year. Want the title … just for old time’s sake?

There is a pattern to these texts.

All deal with remarkable situations or individuals or achievements. Some focus on those who by virtue of office or character or circumstance have managed to find themselves in the light, available

In my eighteen years on this Mesa, I have never encountered a more cohesive and connected class. You know and admire one another. That’s clear. It’s your greatest collective virtue.

to the scrutiny of others, perhaps even the world. They are known, or at least thought to be.

Who isn’t compelled by Makena

extraordinary – some contribution, some

Fetzer’s fascination with the stars,

talent, some character of mind that sets

Hannah Barr’s commitment to the

you apart. Some of those qualities led to

as Thomas Jefferson or Crazy Horse,

environment, Lydia and Taylor’s

the very things I just recalled. But others

I’ll wager. At least … not yet. But here

magical voices, Anna and Elan’s unique

are less public, like the lives of those nine

you are the closest thing we have to

choreography, Jaime’s Chinese, or

people living among half a million others

celebrities. You haven’t heard the awed

William’s kindness?

at Dadaab, or the portions of Jefferson’s

So are all of you. Not as widely

whispers from peers and underclassmen perhaps, but we have. Words like “hero”

There’s Clinton’s silky smooth jump shot, too, Michael’s depth of thought,

life just now coming under scrutiny. They are the gestures that take place when no W W W. CATE . O R G

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H E A DM A S T E R' S C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

Great as you all are at the public displays of purpose and promise, you are even better at the private ones, the ones you make to a student in distress, to a classmate who needs some time or extra help, to the work that needs to get done.

You seem to understand that responsibility is only privilege if you take it upon yourself to act.

such things. It seems to tell us to hide our vulnerability, to further our own interests principally, and to give back only when and if it’s convenient to do so.

But the world doesn’t know you yet, and it can be – at least in part – what we choose to make it. Take this Mesa as a microcosm and perhaps you’ll understand your power, your ability to make a difference, the joy you carry.

Do not be afraid to bring the same into the world. You won’t always be rewarded for it. In fact, you will often find yourself striving outside the light wondering if anyone notices. Someone will. Trust in that and in yourselves.

Remember always what you did here.

And do it again somewhere else: for each other, for the communities you will join or build, for Coalhouse Jr., and for yourselves. There is no greater gift you can give or receive than the gestures of love and affection that have so

one is looking or paying attention, when

here, how completely your commitments

distinguished your tenure here at Cate.

the light is not upon you.

resonate and how demonstrably they

Pass it on. Pay it forward. Be yourselves.

affect those around you. Like the

Listen to Coalhouse.

And this, ironically, is where you have shined most powerfully. Great as you all

butterfly’s wings, you are and have been

The wheels are turning for you

are at the public displays of purpose and

catalysts here to a reaction that will

and the times are starting to roll.

promise, you are even better at the private

continue long after you leave.

Roll on my friends, and Godspeed.

ones, the ones you make to a student in distress, to a classmate who needs some

6

Coalhouse and Sarah express a similar sentiment to their son:

time or extra help, to the work that needs

With the promise of happiness

to get done. You seem to understand that

And the freedom you’ll live to know

responsibility is only privilege if you take it

You’ll travel with head held high

upon yourself to act.

Just as far as your heart can go.

In truth, most of the remarkable

And yours will take you far. Bright,

things that happen in the world take

curious, and capable as you all are, your

place far from the limelight. There is

hearts are what have distinguished you

little credit given for such things. Few

here, made you paradigmatic, shown us

know what transpired or why. Perhaps

what affection and commitment can do.

you won’t even know, as often happens

The world is not always supportive of

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

FAC U LT Y C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

Consider the Universe FACULTY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY BROOKS HANSEN so often I’d get pressured into going over to someone’s house. It was like my version of paying taxes.

So this kid named Brooke Mitchell invites me over this one time, and I liked Brooke. Nice smile. Straight part. He looked like a little Ken Berry, for those who might remember. So we set it up for a Saturday afternoon. My mother dropped me off around lunchtime. And Brooke’s mother is there. Very gracious, lovely woman. Nice little beehive. We sit right down for lunch, and Brooke comes out, and he’s wearing his Knickerbocker Greys. Which I think is a little weird, but okay. I figure he must have gone this morning, and he just got back.

Fine. He’ll change after lunch, we’ll get out were particularly envious. I think the

the Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots, and I can be

colleagues, and you, Class of 2016, thank

general consensus was that it was a little

outta here by three.

you for asking me to speak to you today. It

weird, coming to school like this, mostly

is, as someone just wrote me in an email, a

because we didn’t really know what the

very kind. You know: “We’re so glad you

truly inconvenient honor.

Knickerbocker Greys were for. Training

could come. Brooke was so excited you

Mr. Williams, trustees, guests,

But so we’re eating, and they’re being

these kids to be young officers presumably.

could make it.” And I’ve got my little tuna

City, I went to an all-boys Catholic school

Something between that and a citified

sandwich, sliced apple. Everything’s fine.

on the Upper East Side – admittedly – in

version of the Boy Scouts, which meant

But then Mrs. Mitchell says, “So we forgot

a slender red-brick building with a chapel

what? Merit badges for flagging a cab? Or

when we asked you, but Brooke has the

tucked inside and a church across the street.

dealing with the caterer?

Knickerbocker Greys this afternoon. We

When I was growing up in New York

were thinking maybe you could just go along

It wasn’t a big school. Twenty students

So the other thing you need to know

per class, all in ties and blazers. Except

about me is that I wasn’t a very social kid.

on Wednesdays, there’d always be one

All my report cards had some line in there

or two kids who would show up in their

about how “Brooks should be encouraged

‘No...And that this is exactly why I don’t

Knickerbocker Greys.

to play more with the other children.” It’s

do this sort of thing, this bait-and-switch

with him.”

And my first thought is, you know,

not like I had no friends. I just didn’t do the

baloney you people pull.’ But what am I

grey flannel pants – peg legged, with a silk

play-date thing. I liked to keep it between

going to do? They’re being very nice. I’m

stripe down the side seam – and a matching

the lines, if you know what I mean. Go to

eating their food, so I say, “Okay, sure.”

long-sleeve button-down, with cuffs and

school, have my fun. Come home. Do my

collar and chevrons and stars and what have

homework. Bite to eat, then settle down in

– cab, bus – but right after lunch we head

you. Tucked tie. Shiny black shoes. Polished

front of a Rangers game, maybe with a little

down to 66th and Madison, the Armory,

belt buckle. Sometimes a garrison cap.

piece of chocolate, an orange, a drawing

which is this giant fortress-like building

pad. Who has a problem with this? But my

that takes up half a block, no windows. And

parents read the report cards and so every

you know how when you’ve kind of been

Specifically, this referred to a pair of

Pretty spiffy look for an eight-yearold, but I wouldn’t say the rest of us

And I don’t remember how we got there

W W W. CATE . O R G

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FAC U LT Y C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

picturing something in your head that you

leaves us there; she’ll come pick us up when

know nothing about, and then you finally

it’s over. So it’s just me and Brooke, but now

get to see it, and you think, “Wow, this is

Brooke turns to me like (shrug) “So…I think

completely not what I thought it was going

I gotta go now. I’ve got to go march with my

to be…” Well, this was pretty much exactly

troop. See ya.” So he goes off, in his twerpy

like what I thought it was going to be.

little uniform, and I’m left there with all

blank. Or I actually think my life may

the newbies, and the reason you know we’re

have flashed before my eyes, only not my

space like a track gym, except I think there

newbies is because we’re standing there in

life leading up to that moment, my life

might have been some kind of artificial hill

our alligator shirts and blue jeans, or the

afterwards. Like I think I saw myself on

in the middle, made out of Styrofoam or

khaki shorts with the metal hooks on them.

Porkchop Hill, taking twelve slugs in the

We go in, and it’s this enormous, open

asbestos or something. (It was the ‘70s.) But

So we all get led over into this alcove,

And so every other kid around me takes a step forward. “Yes, sir!”

And the colonel says, “Good. So everyone.”

At this point, I think I just went

chest in slo-mo, all because of this freakin’

everywhere else there are these regiments of

and they stand us in formation, and then

play-date my teachers for some reason

little boys, marching around in formation,

this man marches up in front of us, and

wanted me to go on.

divided up by age, or excuse me, “rank” –

he’s in the adult version of a Knickerbocker

little troop of five-years-old here, nine-year-

Grey. He’s the ‘Colonel’ or something, and

after that. This is where my memory fails

olds over there, all the way up to fourteen or

for all intents and purposes, he is George C.

me, but my educated guess would be that

so, and they’re the cool ones, because they’ve

Scott. He’s got the buzz cut and the attitude,

about three seconds after the Colonel was

got the visored hats and actual swords with

the riding crop, and he goes into this spiel:

done talking, I raised my hand to ask where

sheaths, which are pretty cool, I gotta admit.

“Gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you to our

the bathroom was. Then I went and spent

But again, I am not feeling one

So I don’t really know what happened

august institution, dating back 150 years,

the next hour-and-a-half hiding out in a

angstrom of envy or authentic interest. This

yadayadayada – ” I’m not really listening. I’m

toilet stall. That seems like the soundest

is all, as far as I’m concerned, an absolute

beside myself.

approach under the circumstances. But I

freak show, and I’m just working on the

“And I want to thank you for the

also have to confess that, in addition to not

speech I’m going to give my mother when I

interest you’ve expressed in coming out here

knowing what actually happened next, I

get home, about the fact that this is buying

today.” (And I’m thinking, wait, Time-out

also don’t really know why I wanted to tell

three months at least of leave-me-the-hell-

signal: “I had absolutely no interest.…”)

you this story this morning – or this semi

alone; like, I should be good through the end

And he says, “But let me not assume. If

story. And I still don’t. But I guess one of the

of the playoffs.

you are here because you’d like to join the

things that strikes me about it – I think the

Knickerbocker Greys, please step forward.”

reason I find it kind of entertaining, but also

But then it gets worse. Mrs. Mitchell

so deeply distressing – is just how firm my

So maybe that’s what I want to talk to you about. Because right now, you’re a pretty primed group, and you’re about to take a giant step out into a world charged with purpose – you are, and the world is, spurred by some very real problems that need addressing…

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

sense was back then of what I was willing to do, and what I was not willing to do. Right there at the age of eight or nine, I seemed to have had a pretty clear picture of who I was.

So maybe that’s what I want to talk to you about. Because right now, you’re a pretty primed group, and you’re about to take a giant step out into a world charged with purpose – you are, and the world is, spurred by some very real problems that need addressing, but also by an extraordinary

FAC U LT Y C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

amount of progress that’s been made in a relatively short space of time, I’m not sure you’re aware how quickly, on certain significant social issues.

And there can be no question that a lot of that progress has derived its energy from – but also focused a lot of energy on – this idea of identity. In fact, it almost begins to feel like maybe that should be our collective purpose now, to encourage and to celebrate the ultimate realization of ourselves as individuals. Maybe that’s how we advance not just as a society but as a species. This is actually not such a new idea, but we seem more determined now than at any time I can recall to establish the specific

you not to participate. On the contrary, I see

particular, insistent, and politically charged

terms according to which we recognize and

the good and the sense of empowerment that

set of markers and indicators, we risk doing

affirm our own particular identities. I’m

comes from being able to name and to claim

to ourselves precisely what it is that we

talking about race, of course, and gender,

the various aspects of your identity. I see the

want to stop others from doing to us: that is,

and gender identity, and sexual orientation,

value of recognizing how others perceive

limiting us. We risk treating ourselves, and

and political orientation, and nationality, and

you, and I believe that as an engine of social

those around us, as maybe only being capable

class, and religion, and culture, and cultural

change, your voices must be heard on these

of seeing the world in this way. Or that way.

legacy, language, food preference, medical

subjects, as a way to influence attitudes, and

From that angle. Through that lens. Because

conditions.… The list goes on, and doesn’t

to influence policy as well – public policy,

of who they are. Or who we are. The

even include those secondary indicators,

private policy, education policies, the law

concern is that these newly burnished and

such as: What do we ‘like’? What do we

and social justice. For all of these causes, it is

robust senses of identity become almost like

share? What do we purchase? What do we

vital that you stand, that you identify, clarify,

suits of armor: they help protect us, sure,

click? Because that’s the other thing to keep

and testify.

and they empower us, and they embolden us

in mind: the fact that these choices we’re

So what is my concern? Because I

in a lot of important ways. But if we’re not careful, they might trap us, too.

making, or the identities we’re confirming,

definitely seem to have one.… I guess it’s

are (a lot of them) being etched into a tablet

this: that by the same token as the world

that cannot be erased. For the first time ever,

needs you to do these thing in order to keep

matter how articulate, how forceful, or

there shall be no forgetting our answers –

changing in all the positive ways it has begun

how magnificent the identity you claim for

only, god-willing in certain cases, ignoring

to, I just want to make sure you give yourself

yourself may be, I say it still underestimates

them. The point is, as active and engaged

that same opportunity. The concern, you

you. Vastly.

members of the 21 century, we are helpless

see – and I don’t address this exclusively just

not to see ourselves reflected in these terms,

to you. I address it to you (the audience)

and therefore helpless – or almost helpless –

and to myself , the boy we all left in the

not to conclude that this is who we are.

bathroom at the Knickerbocker Greys – the

who writes fiction is – whether they admit

concern is that in the process of identifying

it or not – constitutionally opposed to the

ourselves according to this increasingly

idea there are places they can’t go, feelings

st

And I’m certainly not here to try to blow up the project on that account, or tell

Why is this my concern? Because no

So let me give you a couple of reasons why I believe this and then I’ll leave.

Reason #1: I write. Fiction. And anyone

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FAC U LT Y C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

I’d suggest they’re here because what really excites them – even more than history or biology, Japanese, statistics, or poetry – is change. That’s what gets them up in the morning: the opportunity to participate in human transformation.

keep changing, keep adjusting, and revising;

they can’t imagine, scenes they can’t enter,

were most interested in – the scholarship

that is our even higher hope: that you treat

or perspectives they can’t occupy. We

– then presumably they’d be teaching it at

this process – of ongoing transformation – as

don’t buy that. Quite the contrary, the

the university level, right? They’ve got their

one of constant expansion and inclusion.

fiction writer of a certain stripe – or any

Ph.D.’s, a lot of them.

artist of that same stripe – operates on an

now, and under your own guidance, with the tools we hope we’ve given you. But please keep surprising yourself, keep challenging yourself, let yourself fail, let yourself miss, let yourself be dumb, and wrong. That’s how you grow. In fact, I would submit to you that

And what the heck, I might as well say it while we’re on the subject. No one’s going

alternate premise: that the whole universe

salad bar. I’d suggest they’re here because

to hold you to it, seeing as only a handful of

and all history, and everything that’s ever

what really excites them – even more than

humans have ever pulled this one off, but

happened, and every feeling anyone has

history or biology, Japanese, statistics, or

it’s still worth stating for the record that

ever had, is available to you – of course it

poetry – is change. That’s what gets them

the very highest hope that we or anyone

is – and the only thing standing between

up in the morning: the opportunity to

could have for you (this being the utmost

you and that exhaustive record of human,

participate in human transformation. And

aspiration of the human spirit) would be that

animal, and even botanical experience is

they’ve figured out that there’s no better

you transcend that barrier entirely – and I’m

… yourself. If you can somehow manage to

fix for that particular addiction than being

still talking about your “identity” here. Move

get that grandstanding piece of crud out of

around you all at this stage of your lives.

beyond the mindset that can only view the

the way, tell it to be quiet and go sit in the

That’s why they’re here, and to your credit,

world in terms of category, differentiation,

corner – or better, just get out of the office

you justify that choice – not every day, let’s

subdivision, and opposition. Look at the

completely, go – well, then, all the world

not get crazy – but season-in, season-out,

word “universe.” Consider the possibility

and everything in it is only too happy to

you do; and you know that’s true, because

that maybe that’s right – maybe everything

come in and fill the vacuum.

you know who you were when you got here,

really is, at essence, just one thing. And

and you know who you are now.

identify with that.

Do I really believe this? 100%. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Take

10

So why are they here?..other than the

only you have to do it on your own initiative

But so it would be really weird to think

You have your assignment, Class of

it from John Keats, take it from Virginia

that – after all the effort that we’ve put in

2016. Go in peace. Clearly, and happily, you

Woolf. Take it from William Shakespeare,

here together, to turn you from that person

will be in our thoughts, and in one another’s

or Miles Davis, or Jacqueline Du Pres. Take

into this person – that our hope looking

thoughts, for a long time to come.

it from Steph Curry. What do all of their

forward would be for you to go finish the

favorite and most brilliant moments on earth

job. Right? Go lock it down. Figure out

have in common?

exactly who you really are once and for all.

The people in question weren’t there.

No. Again, you might as well be trapped

Reason #2: I teach. You. Like all these

inside a toilet stall waiting for the play-date

people sitting here to my right. You ever

to end (and I promise that’s the last time

ask yourself what they’re doing here? Is

I’ll go there). I submit to you that the hope

it because they love their various fields of

looking forward is the same as it’s been since

study? To an extent, but if that’s what they

you got here. We want you to go out and

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

S T U DE N T C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

Our Privilege STUDENT COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY JOEL SERUGO '16 Polar Bear. Sorry just needed something to break the ice. This is generally the point where the speaker shares their preparation process for their speech, so I will too. Why break tradition? I was going to do what Elli Park did last year and read dozens of the speeches that came before hers; I didn’t want to steal her thing though. So instead, I carved my own path; I decided to listen to my classmates and hear what they wanted out of my speech. Eunbie and Jonathan said, “It’d better be funny.” No pressure there. Cecelia Sanborn just called me Mr. Commencement; catchy. Lydia McMahon said, and I quote, “You better not start it off with that Polar Bear line.” Ooops … sorry.

She then followed that up with what was

truly shows how invested you are in our

great it would dwarf all commencement

futures and our studies. Being that I have

speeches that have come before. However,

the microphone, I get to extend a special

I forgot to write it down and it was lost

thank you to my mother, Eva Namboze.

forever. Oh well, onward and upward. So

good. I’m still jealous I didn’t think of that

Trust me when I say this lady has run the

then I sat down and thought, What should I

one, so thank you, Lydia. Harrison told me

gantlet. A few months after my birth she

talk about now? Do I have to be inspiring? Do

to make it funny and not too serious; he’s

spent months at a hospital after being one of

I have to change everyone’s life? Do I have to

going to be disappointed. All right, let’s get

the unfortunate victims of a terror attack.

give the class information that they didn’t have

like a car key and start this thing. By the

Regardless, she came back stronger and,

already? No, I decided that I couldn’t write

way, for those of you thinking of leaving to

after losing a husband, she moved by herself

with the intent to teach and amaze. I just

go get refreshments or use the restroom, I’d

to the States in hopes of being able to offer

have to write something I find relevant and

hold it; this one’s a life changer.

her family a better life. A few years later

appropriate to share and let everyone take

her four children joined her in this country,

from it what they please. Also, having to be

to my speech’s content, I’d like to take a

and look where I am now. When I needed

inspirational is extremely difficult; at some

moment to thank the parents. It’s because

to be straightened out as a young child,

point you start to sound like a Hallmark

of your efforts that we sit here today. I’d like

which was often, my mom would say, “I am

card. So what did I find important enough

to thank every parent, from the mothers of

your mother, your father, your auntie, your

to me to share with you today? Love and

all us, Dr. Talkin, Nancy Marcus, Mercedes

grandma, and your uncle.” I never really

appreciation for Cate School. Our common

Brennan, Tina Nettesheim and others, as

understood what she meant, but today I do.

factor. I’ll share with you two stories that

well as the fathers friendly to all, like Mr.

She is my everything. Thank you so much,

show why this place is so dear to me. There

Nettesheim, Mr. Marcus, Mr. Brennan and

Mom.

will be clichés. You’ve been warned.

perhaps the most helpful piece of advice I got through the entire process (once again I quote): “It better be good.” You know, until that point I hadn’t thought about making it

Before I give a formal introduction

many more; thank you all. I know every

And now for the intro. A few weeks

But first, another thank you before

parent has a responsibility to send their kids

ago, while talking to one of my classmates,

we jump in. This one is for the faculty of

to school, but sending your children to Cate

I got the idea for my speech. An idea so

Cate. Here at Cate, lessons transcend the W W W. CATE . O R G

11

S T U DE N T C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

classroom and I feel I’ve learned from all the teachers and administrators. Given how long thanking each of them would take, I’ve chosen five faculty members who I think represent the character of the Cate faculty: Mrs. Salcedo, T Smith, Dr. Kellogg, Mr. Barton, and Kyle Mason. You truly represent what Cate is all about. You have showed us how passion for one’s work can inspire creativity, hard work, and success.

The energy and interest you bring into your classrooms and offices is infectious and second to none. You go beyond the call of duty to bring out the greatness that you believe to be in every one of us. Your flames burn bright and they light up the eyes of every student who has the pleasure of learning with you and from you. I feel we are

cup last woke up with it; they would then

float around my seventh grade year. I had

try to find the next victim to give the cup

no intention of returning to the realm of

to. Now the way one received the cup was

claustrophobic living spaces, rigid teachers,

by making the mistake of speaking their

and painful ways of enforcing rules.

native language or any other language that

All this changed when I visited Cate.

truly blessed to have had teachers like you

was not English. If you were heard by the

This change wasn’t immediate, however.

and sad that we have to leave your energies

cup holder speaking something other than

When we drove up and saw the beautiful

behind. Thank you, for everything.

English, he would come to you and give you

So, my love for Cate. The true reason

12

You go beyond the call of duty to bring out the greatness that you believe to be in every one of us.

Your flames burn bright and they light up the eyes of every student who has the pleasure of learning with you and from you. I feel we are truly blessed to have had teachers like you and sad that we have to leave your energies behind. Thank you, for everything.

the jewelry of shame. You would then try

mesa guarded by lush green hills overlooking the shimmering blue ocean, I still wasn’t sold. I was not going to judge this book by its

I have such a deep admiration for Cate

to find the next victim, and on and on the

comes from the stark contrast between it

cycle went. At the end of the day, all those

and my prior schooling experiences. Today,

who had worn the cup at any moment would

I’ll tell you two stories that showcase this

report to a classroom to be taught by the

contrast. We begin with a five-year-old Joel

unforgiving wrath of corporal punishment

at the gates of St. Savio boarding school in

and its bamboo stick enforcer. And that’s

Kisubi, Uganda. At this school I thought

why I stand in front of you today giving this

I learned all I needed to know about all

speech with such clear English; my name

boarding schools. The episode from St.

never failed to appear on that end-of-the-day

Savio that summarizes my boarding school

list. I know some of you probably thought

experience involves the “language cup.” The

the language cup was an award given to the

language cup was the tool used to teach the

best student in languages. I wish it had been,

students of St. Savio the language of our

but it wasn’t. The language cup, unforgiving

about the idea of boarding school. But

colonizers. Physically, the language cup was

teachers, and hollowed-out bungalows

then we made it to Long House. I stood at

an old green plastic cup with two holes at

lined with dozens of bunk beds were my

Sunset Bench as John Basar introduced us

the top for a string to be pulled through

understanding and experience of boarding

to the living spaces of the freshman class.

and tied to make a necklace. The language

school life. With this knowledge, I hope

I’d seen this part of the boarding school

cup served as a baton in a sick game of tag.

you can understand my initial nervousness

book already, with the long, low building,

The day would start and whoever had the

when the idea of boarding school started to

and inside, rows and rows of bunk beds; not

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

beautiful cover; I had experienced boarding school before, and my initial judgment of Cate stemmed from that experience.

The change in mindset started to occur only when we took our tour. The contrast between Cate and St. Savio was so stark that I started to feel bad about my initial judgment and pushback towards boarding schools in general. People were laughing, everyone said hello, faculty and students stopped us for conversation … it was beautiful. Yet, I still wasn’t fully convinced

S T U DE N T C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

a cheerful site. When John offered to take us upstairs I was as pessimistic as could be.

Then we walked in. This is a freshman room, I thought to myself. At that point I started to feel guilty for my judgments. Then we asked how many people lived in a space like this.

“Just one,” John answered. My mother and I were beyond impressed – and I was beyond feeling guilty. One person had this room all to himself. This was so surprising that, when talking to her friends later, my mom said, and I quote, “Ehhh, gwe laba, eno se dorm, banno balimu hotel.” Which translates to, “Ehhh, listen, these aren’t dorms; these kids are living in hotels.” The people, the teachers, the kindness, the dorms: In my past I had seen and lived what boarding school could be, and then I saw what Cate was. With that knowledge I had and still have no choice but to love and appreciate

an opportunity to be recruited by colleges.

Having been a member of the Harvard men’s

only a motto but a lifestyle. Thank you, Paul.

Now for the second of the two main

soccer team himself, and having introduced

stories about the source of my love for Cate.

me to the program three years earlier, he

Some of you might be excited that I have

thought my attending the Harvard camp

another story; the rest of you are pretending

would be a good idea. With a lack of belief

like you’re not excited. This is a debut story,

in myself, I found every excuse to avoid the

never before shared, not even with family.

idea, never once revealing that it was my fear

The story takes place at my first school in

of rejection and lack of confidence that were

the States and, again, it’s a story of contrast.

the problem. On that day he gave in and I

It’s a story to show how much I appreciate

in need of a ride to practices and games,

thought the farfetched idea and opportunity

the way Cate embraces and celebrates

given my mother’s long work hours. When

of Harvard was behind me. A few months

difference. I was straight out of the

I joined his son’s team, Paul shuttled me to

later I received a call from the Harvard coach

motherland, I had a heavy accent, a different

every practice and every game, driving an

telling me he had been in contact with Paul

understanding of the world, and culturally

extra 30 minutes from his home every time.

and was sending someone the next day to

different mannerisms. I was at Valerio

He never asked for a thing in return, nor did

watch me play. Two days later I got a call

Elementary School and there I weathered

he ever miss taking us to practices or games.

from Paul informing me that I would have

a lot of harassment issues, given my

He then helped get me into one of the

a recruiting offer from the Harvard coach.

differences, and mainly my race. I couldn’t

best middle schools in Los Angeles, which

That’s Paul Rider. I am not related to him.

sit next to almost anyone, barely anyone

he topped four years later when he found

He doesn’t owe my family any great debts.

would to talk to me, and I usually walked

Cate. He is a man who never lost belief in

He doesn’t ever expect anything in return.

around alone and friendless. During my time

me. Last summer, he asked me what soccer

He just gives for the sake of giving. He is the

at Valerio, I struggled to find the reasons why

camps I wanted to attend in order to get

man who has shown me that Servons is not

people had such an aversion to me without

this place.

One last thank you ... This one’s for Paul. Paul Rider, the man I hope to be one day. I personally believe that Paul Rider is the human embodiment of kindness, understanding, and compassion. I met Paul a couple of years after landing in America. I was on his son’s soccer team and was always

W W W. CATE . O R G

13

S T U DE N T C OM M E NC E M E N T A DDR E S S

ever getting to know my character. I often

he was worried for my safety and didn’t want me to get hurt ascending the treacherous

of brotherly love. “Because you’re me,” how

mates. I knew Cate would not only embrace

six-foot-long ladder in front of me, so I asked

thoughtful. So I replied, “You’re me too,”

his differences but also celebrate them.

went home wondering how I could be so strongly disliked when I did everything just like them, or even better at times. I never struggled in class, and in the biggest social gathering, which was soccer, I was clearly the most experienced, yet I was rarely allowed the chance to play. I truly didn’t understand what was so different about me until one day when I had an encounter on the jungle gym with a schoolmate I had never seen or talked to before. I was standing at the bottom of the slide, watching the other children play. I thought they were having fun; I liked having fun so I walked over to the rope ladder and tried to climb up.

With only a foot on the ladder, I heard a yell demanding me to halt my progress. It was a boy at the top of the ladder who told me, “You can’t come up here.” I initially thought

14

alone, he had summed up my character.

In the end, Cate and the entire world is a collection of disparities and contrasts, and being a part of a place that celebrates all differences, whether they be cultural, racial, sexual, or physical is a privilege…

This encounter and many others like it drove me to change everything about myself that I could change. I worked extremely hard expediting the loss of my accent. I’d been told by many that the fading of my accent was inevitable but to me it wasn’t happening fast enough, so I forced it. I watched TV and tried to talk more and more like Zach and Cody each day. The more American I was, the more I felt I belonged. Fast forward to senior year at Cate School. I meet a young boy eerily similar to the eight-year-old me.

Heavy African accent, strange mannerisms, unyielding love of soccer, and about the same height. His name is Bailor and he is experiencing his first American schooling experience, just as I did ten years ago. The major difference between our situations is that he has Cate. And at Cate, I never worried how he’d be treated by his school

if I should use the stairs instead. He replied,

pointing to my chest and then to him. I

He would be asked about his culture; his

“No, you’re not allowed to play with us.

continued, “You’re me, you’re me, so why

music would be danced to. His accent would

You can’t play here.” Of course, I thought

can’t I play with you?” At this point he felt

be celebrated and enjoyed when leading

this was odd, given it was the school play

the need to clarify himself so he repeated,

stretches, his otherworldly mannerisms

area. So I asked him why I couldn’t play

with a series of aggressive yells, “You’re

would be spread, not suppressed. In the end,

there, to which he replied, “Because you’re

me, you’re me, you’re me ... you can’t play

Cate and the entire world is a collection of

me.” Now I’d like to take this time out to

with us ... go, go, go away,” and for fear of

disparities and contrasts, and being a part

share with you that Valerio Elementary

confrontation I ran away, almost in tears. A

of a place that celebrates all differences,

was a largely Latino school and most of

few days after, with a better understanding

whether they be cultural, racial, sexual, or

the harassment I received was from Latino

of the Spanish accent, I understood what

physical is a privilege, and I along with my

children, many of whom had heavy accents

the boy was trying to say but had failed to

classmates love and are eternally grateful to

of their own. So, in this situation I had heard

get across: “You’re mean, you’re mean.” He

have had the opportunity to witness and live

him, with the aid of his accent say, “Because

was trying to say I was mean. How could a

with this privilege.

you’re me.” I thought it to be an extremely

child I’d never encountered formulate such

endearing line. To my knowledge he was

a strong and negative opinion of me? In fact,

saying that we were one and the same,

the only thing he knew about me was my

similar to the eye, no different in the soul.

school, my skin color, and my accent. And

It was a welcomed and needed extension

somehow in his mind, with that information

CATE BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

Thank you, Cate.

W W W. CATE . O R G

15

2015/2016 Awards

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS

Headmaster’s Cup

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Taylor Bigony, Eunbie Coe, Jeffrey Sumner Pallette '88 Award

Makena Fetzer, Max Vasquez

Jessica Liou

Philip Owen Poetry Prize Sam Hill, Hannah Jorgensen

William Shepard Biddle ‘18 Cup Scholarship Cup Ryan Cain

Alondra Torres-Navarro

FACULTY RECOGNITIONS

Ellis Cup Ajibola Bodunrin, Jae Hong

James C. Durham '02 Writing Prize Minty Pham English Department Prize

Stephen Spittler ‘63 Cup

Gabi Limón

James Kellogg Morgan Gwyne Temby '69 Award Hannah Jorgensen, Charlotte Pecot

Chinese Prize W. Burleigh Pattee Fellowship Award

Alondra Torres-Navarro

Wade Ransom Dohrman Pischel '14 Medal (BRONZE) Jessica Liou , Jaime Yrastorza

French Prize Centennial Fellowship Award

William Bai, Elizabeth Douglas

Ivan Barry, Rebekah Barry Nelson Jones '48 Medal Keller Mochel, Dean Smith

Japanese Prize Circumspice Fellowship Award

Alex Brown

Cece Schwennsen, Amy Venditta Santa Barbara School Medal (GOLD) Elan Halpern, Jonathan Kim

Spanish Prize William New, Jr. ‘59 Servons Award

Jason Pak, Minty Pham

Meg Bradley Stanley D. Woodworth Language Cup All awards are given to members of the Class of 2016 unless otherwise noted.

16

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

Eva Herman '17, Angelica Meneses Olvera '17

AWA R D S

With the generous support of an anonymous donor, the School is pleased to offer two fellowships for exemplary teaching to members of the Cate faculty whose service this year has been particularly distinctive and impactful. The fellowships include $2,500 stipends which the recipients may use as they choose. The purpose, ultimately, of this program is to honor the exceptional teaching and commitment that has always distinguished the men and women who deliver the educational program here on the Mesa.

The Frank B. Light Cup Anika Brown '18, Keefer Rowan '18 Edwin Hartzell United States History Prize Lauren Lokre '17 James Masker Global Studies Award (New award in 2015) William Bai History Department Prize Emma Liberman, Gabi Limรณn Stanley M. Durrant Mathematics Prize Ian MacFarlane '18

CENTENNIAL FELLOWSHIP The Centennial Fellowship was conceived to honor thoughtful, purposeful, and innovative classroom teaching. Focused directly on pedagogy and practice, this award seeks to recognize an educator whose work this year has demonstrably advanced his or her own teaching skills, course design, and lesson planning and in so doing impacted productively the learning of his or her own students. This year, the fellowship is awarded jointly to Rebekah and Ivan Barry.

CIRCUMSPICE FELLOWSHIP The Circumspice Fellowship was designed to acknowledge the multiplicity of endeavors in which Cate faculty members are involved.

This award recognizes excellence in teaching in the broadest application of that role, encompassing, as we do at Cate, all that happens in the classroom, in the dormitories, on the stage or athletic fields, and in

Colin Day Mathematics Award

broad-based engagements with the

Ryan Cain, Jaime Yrastorza Allan J. Gunther Mathematics Award Jonathan Kim, Nancy Wu

community. This is an honor built on the actualization and exemplary achievement by a faculty member of the very same diverse commitments we ask our students to make. This year the fellowship is awarded to Cece Schwennsen and Amy Venditta.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Medal Jon Ha "Edward" Lee '17 Biology Prize Mason Mackall '17

W W W. CATE . O R G

17

AWA R D S

SERVONS AWARD The William New '59 Servons Award was conceived nearly a decade ago

Chemistry Prize Summer Christensen '18

to honor the distinguished service of Bill New of the Cate Class of 1959. A

Physics Prize

scholarship student when he attended

Makena Fetzer

Cate, Bill was the first alumnus to make a million-dollar gift to the School. He

The Hans F. Summers Award

takes giving back to the highest possible

Jaime Yrastorza

level. The award in his name, though, does not honor philanthropy so much as

ARTS AWARDS

commitment, compassion, and exemplary achievement in service to Cate. Since the

Joseph Knowles Foundation Arts Award

award’s inception, it has been bestowed

Abnner Olivares '19

on faculty members, trustees, members of the staff, and friends of the School. Bill New has honored us by being here today, and he will be presenting the award.

Somehow measuring or even quantifying Meg Bradley’s tenure at Cate is a challenging

Fred Bradley ‘68 Prize Charlotte Pecot, Isabel Sorenson '18

enterprise. Over 18 years she has stewarded an advancement program that has achieved

(2-Dimensional)

unprecedented success, set standards for revenue, communications, and participation. Nine

Ryan Cain, Jonathan Kim

times in Meg’s tenure the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education has

(3-Dimensional)

recognized her office with a major award. She has trained future development directors at nearly the same rate, ensuring that organizations elsewhere have the very best leadership

James R. Feld ‘81 Ceramics Award

of their advancement efforts. In sum, she has raised more than $100 million for Cate,

Ryan Cain, Jonathan Kim

though the number of relationships built or fortified is far larger and perhaps an even better indicator of her remarkable abilities and leadership. She arrived at Cate fresh from a

Tony Hooker ‘56 Sculpture Award

successful tenure as a development director at Metarie Park Country Day School in New

Max Vasquez

Orleans, with no experience in residential schools. Yet she wasted no time connecting with all facets of life in this community. She took on advising responsibilities, became a resource

Marion Wolsey Cate Acting Prize

for our international students, and even audited a class or two. Though she claims to be

Hannah Jorgensen, Isaiah

naturally shy and reserved, that is not what we see. Her kindness and graciousness are as

Washington

striking as they are heartening. She just radiates hope and optimism – perfect qualities for educators in general but particularly for advancement officers. Those who work most closely

Drama Award

with Meg revere her. They trust her insight, appreciate her dedication, know that she will

Porter Brown

always be there to support the team and advance the school. My wife, Ginger, has worked for Meg in the Archives for the last six years. When she learned that Meg was interviewing

Franklin Ellis Vocal Prize

for the headship at Santa Catalina School in Monterey, Ginger pointed out that, while she

Sam Hill

has enjoyed our 29 years of marriage, she would be going with Meg. As hard as it is to say goodbye, we cannot help but be happy for Meg and for her new school. She is in this position because of the extraordinary quality and character of her work. Schools need people like Meg – people who make a difference and bring out the very best in others. It has been a great privilege to learn from her and grow with her at Cate. We will watch her continuing success with great pride and admiration. And we will trust that being just up the coast, she will return from time to time to renew and replenish the relationships that are at the heart of her work on our Mesa. In the meantime and forever after, we trust that this Servons Award speaks to the remarkable legacy she has built here at Cate.

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CATE BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

Peter Folger ‘25 Music Trophy Jason Pak, Julie Phan

AWA R D S

Photography Prize Isabel Moss Digital Imaging Award Jessica Liou, Keller Mochel Joseph Bradley Art Prize Mikaela Li

JUNIOR BOOK PRIZES University Of Pennsylvania Book Award Robert Zhu '17 Oliver Welch, Anna Graves, and Charlotte Pecot were honored with the Sportsmanship Award this year.

Johns Hopkins University Book Award

Technology Prize

Most Inspirational Athlete Award

Summer Christensen '17

Jonathan Kim

Elan Halpern, Sam Hill, Michael Nettesheim

Dartmouth College Book Award

Student Activities Award

Gabby Teodoro '17

Hannah Bowlin. Cole Brennan,

Sportsmanship Award

Elan Halpern

Anna Graves, Charlotte Pecot, Oliver Welch

Harvard Book Prizes Of Boston And San Francisco Bryce Huerta '17, Nancy Wu '17 Williams College Book Award Henry Dawson '17 Brown University Book Award Olivia Siemens '17 Wellesley College Book Award Serena Soh '17

EXTRACURRICULAR AWARDS Human Development Award Mesan Award Ryan Cain

Patrick Prestridge, Lauren Zahm

ATHLETIC AWARDS

2016 Athletic Director's Award Charlotte Monke, Isaiah Washington

El Batidor Award Ryan Cain, Emma Liberman,

Outdoor Program Award

Gabi Limรณn

Jacob Farner

Beach Soule Award Keller Mochel, Joel Serugo,

Public Service Award

Redington Cup

Alondra Torres-Navarro

Isabela Montes de Oca '18, Kyril van Schendel '18

Noah W. Hotchkiss Memorial Award

Dean Smith Peter Cate Award Jessica Liou

Cecelia Sanborn W W W. CATE . O R G

19

AWA R D S

Hannah Barr, Taylor Bigony, Cole Brennan, Christian Burke, Ryan Cain, Makena Fetzer, Rei Imada, Lydia McMahon, Duffy Montgomery and Morgan Pierce were awarded six varsity letters each.

Senior Varsity Sports Letter Awards

Nine varsity letters:

Girls Tennis:

Michael Nettesheim, Joel Serugo, Sam Hill

Julia Gan, McKenna Madden

Hannah Barr, Taylor Bigony, Cole Brennan,

Ten varsity letters:

Boys Cross Country:

Christian Burke, Ryan Cain, Makena

Hannah Bowlin, Emma Liberman,

Rei Imada, Jack Pruitt

Fetzer, Rei Imada, Lydia McMahon, Duffy

McKenna Madden, Oliver Welch

Six varsity letters:

Montgomery, Morgan Pierce

Girls Cross Country: Eleven varsity letters:

Eunbie Coe, Jessica Liou,

Clinton Hall, Jessica Liou

Charlote Monke

Pruitt, Jillian Rogers, Malachi Schrager,

Twelve varsity letters: Keller Mochel

Squash:

Max Vasquez, Isaiah Washington

Charlotte Monke, Dean Smith

Jessica Liou, Ryan Cain

Eight varsity letters:

Varsity Sports Captains Awards

Football:

Seven varsity letters: Alex Brown, Elan Halpern, Mikaela Li, Jack

Ajibola Bodunrin, Prem Bunsermvicha,

Ajibola Bodunrin, Keller Mochel,

Anna Graves, Charlotte Pecot, Patrick

Girls Volleyball:

Michael Nettesheim, Dean Smith,

Prestridge, Cecelia Sanborn

Hannah Bowlin, Delaney Mayfield,

Isaiah Washington

Peyton Shelburne 20

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

AWA R D S

Boys Basketball:

Baseball:

Christian Burke, Clinton Hall

Jake Dexter-Meldrum, Duffy Montgomery, Dean Smith

Girls Basketball: Elan Halpern, Mikaela Li,

Boys Tennis:

Charlotte Pecot

Michael Nettesheim

Boys Soccer:

Boys Track and Field:

Keller Mochel, Joel Serugo

Musa Hakim, Joel Serugo

Girls Soccer:

Girls Track and Field:

Taylor Bigony, Makena Fetzer,

McKenna Madden, Emily Zhang

Emma Liberman Boys Volleyball: Girls Water Polo:

Morgan Pierce, Oliver Welch

Cecelia Sanborn, Ally Satterfield Boys Swimming: Boys Lacrosse:

Malachi Schrager

Cole Brennan, Keller Mochel, Isaiah Washington

Girls Swimming: Lauren Zahm

Girls Lacrosse: Anna Graves, Sam Hill, Jessica Liou

W. BURLEIGH PATTEE FELLOWSHIP AWARD The W. Burleigh Pattee Fellowship was established by friends of Mr. Pattee to honor outstanding teaching at Cate. A student at Cate and the parent of an alumnus, Mr. Pattee served as a Cate trustee for 28 years.

Known widely for his good sense and frugal lifestyle, Mr. Pattee was a stickler for value.

At the Burlingame Country Club outside of San Francisco, where Mr. Pattee was a member, the caddy fees were, in Mr. Pattee’s mind, completely intolerable. To avoid the expense, Mr. Pattee built a small trailer that he could strap to his faithful Labrador retriever. The dog dutifully followed his master over the course, clubs in tow, requiring only a biscuit or two in the way of a tip.

There were, however, things that Mr. Pattee was quite willing to pay for, and good teaching was at the top of the list. This particular fellowship comes with a $1,000 stipend. It is awarded this year to a teacher who does his teaching largely outside the walls of traditional classrooms. His priorities are the best human virtues – compassion, a commitment to fair play, integrity, and responsibility. He is the first adult to celebrate student accomplishment and a reliable counselor when – for one reason or another – things don’t go as planned.

A caregiver by training, he has become that and more at Cate, always going the extra mile to help our students be at their very best. It gives me great pleasure to award the Burleigh Pattee Fellowship to Wade Ransom.

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PRIZE FUNDS JOSEPH BRADLEY '35 ART PRIZE FUND

$13,515

JOSEPH KNOWLES PRIZE FUND

$14,086

Established in 1987 by gifts in memory of Joseph Bradley, Class of

Established in 1979 by a bequest from Joseph Knowles for an

1935 and member of the faculty from 1944 to 1946, for an annual

annual art prize for an outstanding student in the arts. Abnner

art prize and to purchase books of art for the McBean Library.

Olivares '19 is the recipient of this year's award.

Mikaela Li '16 is the recipient of this year's award.

JEFFREY SUMNER PALLETTE '88 PETER CATE '37 AWARD FUND

$5,681

AWARD FUND

$13,185

Established in 1985 by a gift from Philip T. Cate, Jr. of the Class of

Established in 1990 by gifts in memory of Jeffrey Sumner Pallette

1937 for an annual prize for the best female athlete in the School.

of the Class of 1988 for an annual prize for the classmate held in

Jessica Liou '16 is the recipient of this year's award.

highest esteem by the members of the senior class. Jessica Liou '16 is the recipient of this year's award.

ANTHONY S. HOOKER '56 SCULPTURE PRIZE FUND

$3,316

SUMMERS SCIENCE FUND

$34,357

Established in 1992 for an annual prize for students most

Established in 1987 by a gift from an anonymous member of the

proficient in sculpture, and to add to the library’s collection of

faculty to support a prize for excellence in science. Jaime Yrastorza

books on the art form. Max Vasquez '16 is the recipient of this

'16 is the recipient of this year's award.

year's award. *figures reflect fund size as of June 30, 2015, not size of award

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C U M L AU DE A DDR E S S

Pursuing Your Path CUM LAUDE ADDRESS BY ROBERTA L. RUDNICK

Dr. Roberta Rudnick speaks about the importance of staying positive, having confidence, and always showing gratitude toward your teachers.

I thank you for the invitation to come to speak to you today at this time of great celebration and transition in your lives. It’s an honor to address such a talented group of people who are clearly destined to go far.

I have to say it’s also a little daunting to give this speech, on two fronts. First, I was asked to talk about my path and that’s not something that comes easily to me. I

About ROBERTA L. RUDNICK

Introduction by Headmaster Ben Williams

Roberta L. Rudnick is a professor in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to joining the UCSB faculty in 2016 she held professorial appointments at the University of Maryland and at Harvard University.

Dr. Rudnick received her Ph.D. from the Australian National University in 1988, after which she was an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, West Germany, and a Research Fellow at the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University.

Dr. Rudnick’s research has focused on the origins and evolution of the continents. She has asked what seem like simple questions: Why do we have continents? What do continents mean for how we live?

The many answers to those questions are anything but simple, however, and speak to the complexity of our lives on this earth. Dr. Rudnick describes her work as “curiosity-based science.” She has not set out to solve practical problems but asked questions that

struggled and procrastinated in composing this speech…infinitely harder than writing a scientific paper or giving a scientific talk!

Second, the bar was set very high – after reading the very eloquent speech that Susannah Porter gave several years ago – I frankly don’t think I can come close to such an inspiring vision. So I’ve decided I’m just going to read her speech since none of you have likely heard it…(jk).

All right, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m going to focus on my early years, as that is where you are in your lives and, as you look to the future, it may well be that the vision is not so clear. I know that I didn’t have a path that was defined any further than considering what would I do next? It was not well planned; it was somewhat of a random walk, but the walk has been wonderful and joyous.

I grew up the youngest of three kids in a rather traditional family in Portland, Oregon. My father worked as a lithographer for a printing company and my mom was

a stay-at-home housewife. My father was born and raised in Chicago, the youngest of seven kids from a Polish-Catholic family.

He dropped out of high school to join the Navy following the bombing of Pearl Harbor and never did get his GED. In the Navy he learned photography and flew over enemy territory in the South Pacific taking aerial photos. Apparently, back in those days, this meant opening a door in the bottom of the plane, pointing the camera downwards and shooting, while trying not to fall out (or get shot down). His other main duty seems to have been taking photos at admirals’ parties.

My mother grew up on a farm in Nebraska, also one of seven children. Shortly after graduating from high school she moved, with her younger sister, to LA, where she worked various retail and secretarial jobs.

My parents met in LA following the war, got married and moved to Oregon, where they raised us. Our household was not an especially intellectual household, though my father was an artisan and instilled in me

have no obvious answers – and even when answers are revealed through research and scholarship, those answers simply lead to more questions.

Dr. Rudnick describes geology as the study of the history of the earth. When we think about the magnitude of that field, we can see that her research now is part of a long evolutionary process of understanding that is passed through generations of scientists.

Dr. Rudnick is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in the field of geology and geophysics. Her professional renown might be summed up by quoting our own Dr. Kellogg, who said recently that Dr. Rudnick is “completely untouchable in her awesomeness.” In addition to this important compliment, Dr. Rudnick has earned more awards than we can list today, including the N.L. Bowen Award from the American Geophysical Union and the Dana Medal from the Mineralogical Society of America. She has also assumed leadership roles in many organizations in her field and has compiled a long resume of publications.

It is important to note that Dr. Rudnick has also been a pioneer as a woman in her field. When she was inducted into the National Academy of Science in 2011

she was one of only a handful of women to receive such an honor. The organization was in fact, as she described it recently, “white, male, and old.”

She has worked on behalf of the National Academy to open opportunities for other scientists and to expand the organization’s reach to include a younger, more diverse body of scientists that includes women and people of color.

Despite her renown as a researcher, much of her interest as a teacher has been at the undergraduate level, where she introduces students to the field of geology, an area of study students do not often discover until college. The graduate students she works with get the care of those undergraduates, but as Dr. Rudnick described, “they are now colleagues and I treat them as such and am so happy to watch them transition to lives as independent scientists.”

It is an honor tonight to welcome a guest who has been a model of generous scholarship and who has made a career of asking questions, following curiosities, and thinking about the very foundations of our world. We are grateful too that she has chosen to study, as we have, in a place of such dramatic natural beauty.

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C U M L AU DE A DDR E S S

a great appreciation for arts, crafts, and the beauty of hand-made objects. My mother was an avid reader, a trait picked up by all three of us kids.

I went through the public school system, where I read Shakespeare and Sartre in high school, took art classes where I learned to draw, enriching my life (I’m greatly saddened that in many of today’s public schools art seems to have fallen by the wayside in an effort to teach to the test), and received a decent background in math and science. It was in high school where I took my first geology class. It was taught by one of the best teachers I ever had – Mr. Heil (who, coincidentally, was a creationist, I later learned). To his immense credit, he did not let his beliefs alter the way he taught science.

He also taught physics and astronomy and I loved them all. When it came time for college I didn’t think beyond following in my brother’s and sister’s footsteps to our local public university, Portland State University (the other PSU). First-generation college kids often experience this sort of random walk, I think, as they don’t have a familial example to follow and the advising they receive can be hit or miss. Another consideration was that back in the 1970’s it was not all that common for women to go into science, so I was a bit of an anomaly. I actually don’t recall receiving much at all in the way of advice from my school counselors or others regarding where I should go to On the evening of the Cum Laude ceremony, students gather in the colorfully lit chapel to support their classmates.

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

college, even though I was an honor-roll student and National Merit candidate.

Mr. Heil, though, did take a group of us to visit some of the state universities in Oregon (Oregon State and the University of Oregon, but not Portland State). When I discovered that I would be required to live in a dorm at OSU or U of O, I decided to go to PSU, where I could live independently (that was the extent of my thought process in choosing a university). So I moved into a shared house near the university with two rugby players (who thought, incorrectly it turns out, that having a female roommate would result in a cleaner house) and began my undergraduate studies.

In deciding upon a major I was torn between physics and geology. I loved them both, but in the end went with geology because I thought it would give me the opportunity to spend more time outdoors.

In fact, it was an excellent decision. I know now that it’s unusual for people to find their passion before college, sometimes even during college. I witness many students at the university searching for that spark – some never find it. I thus feel very fortunate that the spark of geology ignited my interests and has propelled me forward through the last four decades.

After completing my B.S. in geology at PSU, I traveled to a remote, dusty corner of west Texas to pursue a Master’s degree at Sul Ross State University, following one of the

best teachers I had at PSU, Denny Nelson.

Denny had just landed a tenure-track faculty position at Sul Ross. Most people, when they hear the words say “so what?” Sul Ross (named after Sullivan Ross, a governor of Texas) is a small, public university in Alpine, Texas – a town of about 6,000 (when school is in session), and is quite literally in the middle of nowhere, which they used to print proudly on the SRSU t-shirts. Their claim to fame is that they were relatively consistent rodeo champions in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (sadly, after my time there their champion rodeo team seems to have fallen by the wayside).

The nearest airport is in Midland, Texas, only 150 miles away. It was a completely different cultural experience – when my boyfriend and I rolled into town on a sleepy Sunday afternoon, towing our small U-Haul trailer, there were literally tumble weeds blowing across the deserted highway. But the geology was great. I saw my first true metamorphic rocks there – with large beautiful garnets, and I was hooked for life.

But something truly transformational happened to me while at Sul Ross: I applied for, and received, a National Science Foundation graduate fellowship. I still can’t believe they selected me. This fellowship was hugely important for me, as it opened many doors – I could use it for my last year as an M.S. student and then take it with me to wherever I decided to go for my Ph.D. But most importantly, it opened doors in my mind; it somehow gave me greater confidence to go where I wanted and do what I wanted. It instilled in me the thought that I could compete with the best of them.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the folks who sat on that panel so many years ago at NSF and decided to take a risk by awarding a fellowship to a young woman at an unknown university in the middle of nowhere. I felt that I now had the opportunity to dream big in pursuing my Ph.D. For that, I decided to go to Canberra, Australia, to the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University. These were some of the best

C U M L AU DE A DDR E S S

years of my life. Scientifically, the RSES was flourishing: they had some of the best minds in the world there and a terrific technical staff; it was awe inspiring to be part of it. Shortly before I arrived at ANU they had just completed construction of the instrument that dated the oldest mineral on Earth. The instrument was named SHRIMP (standing for Super High–Resolution Ion MicroProbe, which, with a typical Aussie tongue-in-cheek flair, was anything but small, spanning several meters and including a giant magnet capable of separating ions by mass with great resolution). The minerals were tiny grains of zirconium silicate (zircon) that are resilient to thermal resetting and destruction. These zircon grains date back 4.4 billion years – to just after the birth of our planet (4.57 Ga). Others at the school were plumbing the depths of the Earth with high-pressure experimental studies, or studying the fluid dynamics of the deep Earth using analog tank experiments.

For my part, I began my studies of Earth’s continents under the tutelage of Ross Taylor (who had literally written the book about the continental crust) – what are they made of, and why do we have them (none of the other rocky planets in our solar system have similar features). Although we still don’t have a good answer, the fact that we have liquid water is probably not a coincidence.

So it’s kind of cool that the key feature of our planet that allowed life to form and evolve (liquid water) is likely also the reason we have continents, on which our species evolved.

Following my Ph.D. I spent several years in post-doc positions, first in Germany at the Max Planck Institute in Mainz (formerly West Germany), then back at ANU (working in Ted Ringwood’s group), where my son was born, and then landing at Harvard in my first tenure-track faculty position. This is where I met Jamie and Susannah, who were both Ph.D. students at the time. Harvard was an interesting place, but also a strange place (as I’m sure both of them can attest if you get them talking over beers). The whole time I

2016 CUM LAUDE SOCIETY INDUCTEES Sixteen members of the Class of 2016 were inducted into the Cate School chapter of the national Cum Laude Society: Top Row (left to right): Jacob Dexter-Meldrum, Ryan Cain, Jonathan Kim, Brandon Sugarman, Jaime Yrastorza, Michael Nettesheim, and Gabi Limón. Bottom Row (left to right): William Bai, Sam Hill, Eunbie Coe, Julia Gan, Emma Liberman, Cecelia Sanborn, Alondra Torres-Navarro, Minty Pham, and Jessica Liou. was there I was the only woman on the faculty in Earth Sciences. Up to that point in my career I had never felt that I had experienced discrimination, but that perception changed at Harvard, where I felt that important decisions were made prior to faculty meetings. And the way to get ahead was not necessarily keeping your nose to the grindstone and doing your work, but rather by touting your work to all who would listen (at least, that’s the way it felt to me). When the opportunity arose to move to the University of Maryland, where my husband and I would both have tenured faculty positions, Harvard moved my tenure decision forward and it was ultimately approved. However, it was too late, as the prospects of being in a place where I felt truly valued (and where my husband’s work was truly valued) were just too attractive to turn down and so we happily moved south. More recently, another opportunity presented itself: to return to the West Coast and take a faculty position at UCSB. I feel like I’ve landed in paradise.

So what have I learned from my path, which started out (and largely continued) as a random walk, and has brought me around the world and finally to this truly beautiful place?: Number 1: Teachers are incredibly important and often undervalued. So I’d like all of you to go out of your way to thank the teachers in your lives who have made a difference.

Number 2: It may sound trite, but really, really: find your passion. It may take some time, but you’ll know it when you find it. And your passion may change as you change. That’s OK. Number 3: Have confidence in yourself.

This is something I lacked but that was critically bolstered upon receipt of the NSF graduate fellowship.

Number 4: Stay positive.

Number 5: Have fun!

So congratulations on your accomplishments and may your path be as fun, adventurous, and joyous as mine has been!

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INTRODUCTION TO THE BACCALAUREATE CEREMONY

by Headmaster Ben Williams

Welcome to our Baccalaureate ceremony in honor of the great Cate Class of 2016.

Baccalaureate is an old ritual that came to this country from Britain. The term comes from the Latin “Bacca” – meaning “berry” – and ”lauri” – referencing the laurels that were used to adorn those who gained their degrees.

I confess that the laurels we will be granting tonight are of the figurative variety, but like those ceremonies of old, this one is a thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom.

And surely you members of the Class of 2016 have so directed your lives. You have revealed yourselves, particularly in your senior year, to be skilled and dedicated academicians, talented artists and musicians, and consummate community citizens. Your leadership this year has been public, demonstrative, and thoughtfully delivered.

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You are a cerebral group, truly, but your emotional intelligence is equally impressive and your imprimatur on the culture of the school this year has been remarkably productive. You have done well — often exceedingly so. But now it is time to go — to celebrate all that we have shared together, and to anticipate all that lies before us. I sense you are ready for that change, as you should be.

Much more awaits you in the years ahead. Langston Hughes penned a great poem about our collective consciousness.

“I’ve known rivers,” he wrote, “ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.” Though you leave us shortly, I would have you consider Hughes’ verse. For perhaps in your departures we do not so much separate as absorb each other. Therein lies our depth and our connection. We, too, are ancient like the rivers that carve our

landscape, provided we acknowledge all whom we carry with us.

It is an honor to maintain that very association with all of you and to imagine the possibilities that lie ahead as we enter the succeeding chapters of our lives. Like the sunsets we have all enjoyed from the Parsonage lawn, those chapters will be tinged with color and character, both bright and subdued, and will speak to a beauty shaped by the powerful interplay of forces in the world. Surely you will contribute to that very interplay and color so many other lives just as you have ours and one another’s! But first, there are things to say and songs to sing. We’ll start with the singing, led by Jessica Block and our Camerata.

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MIKAELA LI '16 Good evening fellow students, families, and faculty! I’m truly honored to be one of the 2016 Baccalaureate speakers. Before I start, I want to thank my parents and grandparents, who provided me unlimited support with the limited resources they have.

Today I’m here to, once and for all, reveal the truth behind what I consider to be the most important question of the 21st century: is Mikaela Li a communist?

The answer can be traced back to the first day of school, when I was paired up with a Caucasian girl for an orientation activity.

“Hi! Where are you from?” I asked.

“India,” replied Elizabeth Douglas, who didn’t look ethnically Indian to me at all. For the next ten seconds, I just stared at her in silent confusion. The conversation didn’t get any less awkward from there.

As someone who had attended Chinese public schools, in which all students share very similar cultural and economic backgrounds, I was caught by surprise by the diversity on the Mesa. My curiosity towards my new schoolmates made me awkwardly bold for the introverted freshman that I was.

Once, during the first week of school, I saw Ingrid Lee hanging out in Amanda’s room. Wanting to strike up a casual conversation, I walked in and asked, “So Ingrid, do you think Taiwan is a part of China?” It was my first time interacting with anyone who held opposite beliefs from mine on this controversial and personal topic. Yet the friendly and respectful way Ingrid shared her opinion, and the curious and open-minded attitude I sensed from Amanda, made me feel calm and safe as I voiced my view.

From then on, I have grown to love controversies and differences. I might never agree with Ingrid, but ever since our talk, the Taiwan issue has become more human and less about animosity or aggression.

Thinking back, I am more than thankful for my initial lack of

understanding towards the idea of social awkwardness and my refusal to believe in social stereotypes, which gave me confidence that I could be friends with anyone I wanted. Now that I’ve been through the Cate experience, I retain that optimism, although for very different reasons. The close and diverse relationships I was able to build over my time here have encouraged me to believe that no matter how different we seem, as long as we are genuinely curious and respectful, it is always possible to empathize.

If I have to pick one thing special about this place, it would be its acceptance towards different voices, which always gives me hope for communication and compromise. For example, if I see Donald Trump on TV and struggle to understand his logic, I will remember our very own staunch conservative Jaime Yrastorza, and the kind, understanding, and reasonable person he is.

So here is the answer I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for: I am not a communist, but as someone who lives in China, I talk about the practical benefits of the system, hoping not to change people’s minds, but to add another dimension to the often negatively portrayed ideology.

Without Cate, I doubt I’d have the motivation or courage to stand up for something so great and beyond me, or believe that I can truly make a difference in this world.

Soon, we’ll step into college. Maybe I’ll again feel different, coming from a small boarding school on the West Coast.

More likely, however, we are going to end up in much bigger communities in which comfortable circles of people who are very similar to us are already formed.

I hope we can look back at our Cate experience and remember how much we have gained from stepping out of our comfort zones and training our minds with beliefs that challenge our own.

Class of 2016, I want to thank every single one of you for the unique story and perspective you have shared with the community. Moreover, thank you all for coming together and earning the honor of calling ourselves one of the best classes Cate School has ever seen.

For our closing activity of the Senior Exit program, Ms. Woehr asked us to write down on a sheet of paper the most important values we’ve learned at Cate, so that the School can mail them to us at some unexpected time next year to “make our day.” After four years, I sometimes still cannot believe how much Cate takes care of its students, even after graduation.

While I will, no doubt, appreciate the letter, I’m confident that, even without the reminder, what I’ve learned at Cate School will stick with me forever.

Four years have passed by quickly.

I’m so so grateful to have spent them in a beautiful place that I will always call home, with people from all over the world whom I see as family.

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OLIVER WELCH '16 Just about a week ago, I found myself in a place called Desolation Canyon, part of the Green River in Utah, with some of my closest friends. Our group of fourteen students had been learning the ins and outs of whitewater kayaking over the past two trimesters as part of our American Wilderness class. After many hours in the pool practicing our rolls, multiple sessions at the beach facing waves that look and feel much larger when you’re in a kayak, and one warm-up trip to the Kern River to test ourselves one last time, the trip was finally here. Fourteen hours of driving brought us to the put-in in northeastern Utah. In total, we kayaked 84 miles down the Green River through sunshine, rain, and gale-force winds at times. As we hiked through towering canyons, we saw ancient petroglyphs depicting bighorn sheep, deer, and hunters, which were most likely left by the indigenous Anasazi people. On one of my post-dinner walks, I found a fossilized shark tooth embedded in a rock and lying in a dried-up creek bed. A shark that lived millions of years ago left a single tooth as its legacy on what is now a desert. It got me thinking about the mark that I have left on Cate.

My first memories of the Mesa are from long before I was a freshman, when I used to bring my grandfather, Ray Goena, his lunch. He worked as part of the Buildings & Grounds staff here for a little over 20 years and has painted and repainted just about every building on this campus inside and out. I remember packing the small Ziploc bags with bright red radishes, tortilla chips, a turkey sandwich, and a single green jalapeño that my grandpa would snack on the way the average person eats a carrot. My grandma and I would meet him wherever he was working that day, whether it was painting the outside of Long House, or catching gophers out by the track. We’d sit and talk while he ate his lunch. He was dressed in his used-to-be-white pants, plain white t-shirt, and paint-speckled leather boots, while I was in one of my many pairs of cargo shorts

Cate go deeper than the many layers of paint he applied. They are manifested within the lessons he taught me and in the ways he shaped my identity and the lives of many others who know him.

Cate is made up of people from many different paths and backgrounds and provides various wonderful opportunities to expand these paths. If you had asked me at the beginning of my freshman year what senior Oliver would be up to, my response would not have contained becoming scuba certified with the help of Ms. Butler, learning how to keep bees with my friend Anna and creating Cate’s own apiary on and Velcro shoes. He’d offer me a bite of his jalapeño, and I’d always accept, only to touch the tip of my tongue to the spicy snack, cringe, and then hand it right back.

He was born 86 years ago down in Carpinteria and has worked in the Carpinteria school system in one form or another throughout his entire life. He started as a janitor for Carp High while still a student there, then drove buses for the Carpinteria school district after returning from the Korean War, and he ended his career here at Cate, retiring soon after he turned 80. He taught me the importance of hard work and to do a task the right way or not at all. He taught me to try and make the best out of every situation, to always have fun, and to maintain my sense of humor. But equally as important as the lessons he taught me is the fact that he is the reason that I’m here at Cate. My path to this podium started long before applying my eighth-grade year.

It started when my grandfather used to hunt deer in the valleys surrounding Cate, or when he would sneak up here at night and ride the horses when he was a kid. It started when my mother would come to perform on Cate’s stage when she was in grade school. It started when my grandfather used to bring my cousins and me up here to watch the baseball games, and to play on the fields. And it started with those picnic lunches. The marks my grandfather left on

the nature trail, and definitely not floating through the desert braving rapids with thirteen of my friends, Paul Denison, and one cheerful Ned. Paddling through this river called Cate with the Class of 2016 has been the best four years of my life. I’ve been introduced to many different cultures and perspectives, and I can honestly say that I’ve made sincere friendships that span a good part of the globe. Our collective achievements touch on the incredible, and I can’t wait to see how this class continues to thrive in the years to come. All of you have had an impact on me in one way or another, and now that it’s time for the paths of so many wonderful people to diverge, out into the big world and on to more achievements and experiences, I can only say thank you to Cate, for everything.

For the challenges. For the friendships. And especially for the memories. Just as that shark left its mark on the desert in the form of a fossilized tooth, all of these experiences and relationships have left marks on me that have made me a better person. And although I won’t be leaving any body parts behind, I hope, I do intend to leave a small mark on this place, like my grandfather before me, as a token of appreciation for the life-changing impact that Cate has had on me.

Thank you.

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ENGAGED IN THE WORLD

BY RYAN BRADLEY '02 part of Los Angeles that pretty much for its entire history has been an industrial dumping ground. Rosemary grew up there.

And that afternoon she took me around her neighborhood, by the homes and yards where lead has seeped in from a battery recycling plant, and she took me past the residential streets soon to be bulldozed for a freeway extension, and, finally, she took me to a high school where a sinkhole had appeared, a sinkhole that traced the outline of what was there before: a gigantic pile of pulverized concrete.

The concrete pile was known, in her neighborhood, as La Montaña, the mountain. And the concrete dust from it that filled the air was the reason Rosemary could hardly recall a day growing up when she didn’t wake with a nosebleed. Her older sisters had played a crucial part in removing La Montaña from the landscape—protesting, rallying the community. Rosemary told me that her sisters were the reason that, for the last few years, she had devoted so much of

Thank you, Mr. Williams, parents, teachers, and especially, Class of 2016.

very much still figuring this out.

So I did something I do all the time,

her time to getting the lead cleaned up from the yards and walls, protesting, rallying,

Thank you. It’s such an honor to be here

pretty much professionally, at this point: I

engaging. La Montaña was their battle, she

this evening. You know, when Mr. Williams

asked a question, and listened to the answer.

told me, and this is mine. As she took me

called to ask me if I would do this, I was

My question was simple: Why me? Mr.

around her community, and as I listened

taken aback. Not because I was surprised. I

Williams’ answer was less simple: “Well,

to her story, and watched her interact with

mean, I was. Let me tell you: Mr. Williams’

Ryan,” he said, “We like to choose people for

her neighbors—nodding at them, smiling,

voice is not a voice you expect to hear on

this who are engaged with the world.”

acknowledging their presence – I was

the phone when you’re 32 years old and

After he said that last thing, about

reminded of another community. This one.

have, to be honest, a spotty track record

being engaged with the world, I wrote it

of annual giving to Cate, particularly in

down on my notepad and underlined it,

the first week of college so vividly – and I bet

recent years. No, I was taken aback for the

twice. It sounded important, and right, and

that you will, too, in ten or fourteen years

very natural reason that I don’t see myself

righteous. And it sounded like maybe if I

and for probably a lot longer. For me the

as the kind of person who has much in the

figured out what that meant to me, how I

biggest, most significant change, the thing

way of advice to bestow upon graduates.

was engaged with the world, then maybe

that has stuck with me and that I still think

This isn’t a self-esteem thing. It’s more a

I’d have something to tell you, today, that

about, was how once I left the Mesa people

sense that advice, especially graduation

would perhaps be worth listening to.

didn’t see me the same way they saw me

advice, baccalaureate advice, is meant to

Then I went to work, which means a

I remember the last week of Cate and

at Cate. This is a small community. I don’t

be a passed-down wisdom, and wisdom

lot of different things every day, but that

need to tell you that, but it’s remarkable

comes from the wise, which is to say, the

afternoon it meant I met up with a woman

to think about just how difficult it is to go

experienced, which is also to say: older

who is barely older than you, just 19, in

unseen here. It’s so difficult to go unseen

people. Parents. Teachers. Not me. I am

her first year of college, who comes from a

that most of you are probably sick of it, and W W W. CATE . O R G

29

BAC C A L AU R E AT E A DDR E S S

ready to move on to some bigger and more anonymous place. That’s natural. That’s good. I was exactly the same way—and still am. Since Cate, I’ve lived only in gigantic, anonymous cities. But still, this feeling of being unseen, it’s going to be weird, I promise you; you’ll have this tendency, which is something I still have, which was formed at Cate, to look random passersby in the eye and maybe nod a little, or smile, or at least acknowledge the presence of another— to see them and say, without speaking, “Greetings, fellow human.”

Why am I telling you this? To prepare you, I suppose. But mostly to demonstrate that although you are leaving a small campus on top of a hill for something that is almost certainly going to be larger, your world might get smaller. And this won’t be your fault.

Not really. It’s a passive process. You can do everything quote unquote correctly, and your world can and does still shrink. I know this because after college I moved to the biggest city in America, worked my way up the ladder at a series of increasingly large and successful magazines, and by the end of it my title was quite impressive, and my days were filled with meeting after meeting with groups of people who looked a lot like me, and shared a lot of the same opinions, and my world, I realized, had become quite small.

I am also telling you this because that acknowledgement, that seeing of others, was what was happening in Rosemary’s

30

seeing the bigness of the world, and realizing

of you have already peaked as listeners, or

the smallness of people who do not want

will soon. I’m talking to you, students, who

to listen to you, when what you have to say

have been listening to older people for most

does not line up with how they imagine the

of your lives and are extraordinarily good

world to be.

at it already. It gets harder, especially the

As I was listening to her, I realized that

sort of formal, active listening demanded

that was it, there it was: the way I engaged

by a classroom. The older you get, the more

with the world. And that was the thing

exhausting active listening becomes. I’m sure

I could offer you, today; the one piece of

all the parents understand this, having had

wisdom or advice is something you’re already

to sit in on classes during Parents Weekends.

extremely good at, that you’re already doing

It’s tiring! And this is listening in those

right now. It’s listening.

formal listening spaces we call classrooms—

And I don’t just mean listening in a finger-wagging, listen-to-your-mother-ish sense. Though that’s not always a bad idea,

or the even more formal listening spaces you’ll soon enter, called lecture halls.

But I want to focus on the informal and,

either. And I don’t even mean listening

to me, much more important form of listening,

when it comes to seeking advice from the

that usually requires just two people.

experienced and the wise. Or even people

I have one more observation about

community, too. At the high school,

who are talking to you behind a microphone,

leaving Cate, about the world here, and the

standing there next to the sinkhole,

like me, right now. (But, please, do listen

world out there, and what you lose when

Rosemary told me about how she’d

to me, if only for a little bit longer). I mean

you step away from here, that you must

traveled to the Paris climate talks, and how

the kind of listening that is outside of what

fight for once you’re out there. Cate was the

frustrating the experience had been for her.

you are used to doing, what you have come

first place I had adults in my life beyond my

How she kept hearing about how her home

to expect, that confirms what you already

parents who took me and what I had to say

state was such a leader in climate policy, but

believe about how the world is. I mean the

extremely seriously. In other words, they

it didn’t seem that way to her at all, from

kind of listening that is most likely difficult

listened to me. I still cannot quite articulate

her unique perch in a terribly corrupt and

and even uncomfortable.

how important this was, their listening, and

polluted neighborhood. She told me how

You are all basically professional

sad she had felt, traveling so far away and

listeners, now. And it’s possible that some

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

how much I am indebted to them for these moments—none of which, by the way, I

BAC C A L AU R E AT E A DDR E S S

What happened after I realized my

remember taking place in the classroom, but

are all the same can be a way of silencing

in their homes, or around a dining hall table,

someone’s experience and completely

world in my midtown Manhattan office had

or on a trail in the wilderness, or some

unique point of view. It robs the listener

become pretty small was, I admit, sort of

other not formal listening space. I realize

of the opportunity, if only for a moment,

dramatic. I quit. And since then, for the past

now that what those teachers, in those

of imagining what it might be like to

two years, I’ve focused on what I initially

moments, were showing me, was a template

be somebody else. That is what makes

fell in love with about journalism, which

for how to go forward into the world, and

listening uncomfortable, and vital.

was, at the very heart of it, going out into

how to listen to and take seriously people

We are, as a world, more connected

the world and listening to people. And not

whose life experience may be entirely

than ever before in history. There are

just giving voice to the voiceless, which is

different from, and even lesser than, their

more voices we can access if we so choose,

a journalistic cliché, but an important one.

own, and still grant them the extremely

all at our fingertips. And yet it seems

No, I think it’s more essential than that.

human act of listening.

increasingly difficult to remain open to

And I’m certain it’s something you can all

the world, to fight against it closing in, to

do, too, every day, from now on. It is this:

the lesson they were teaching me was not

fight against hearing the same agreeable

To fight to listen to the people you have

simply one of courtesy and common human

voices and perspectives and opinions all

not yet made a habit of hearing.

decency, either. It wasn’t a favor to me; it

around us, in real life, and, especially,

was a favor to themselves. Because listening

online. It’s not that people set out to create

expert listeners, Class of 2016, for inviting

is, of course, also an act of learning. Because

a bubble around themselves. But we are

me here tonight. And for listening to me.

listening, really listening, and hearing

creatures of comfort, and you have to

Thank you.

another person, forces us to confront the

actively seek discomfort to break out of

limitations of our individual experiences. It

this chamber of voices and opinions and

forces us out of our own perspective on the

likenesses we naturally, inevitably surround

Los Angeles. His work has appeared in The

world. Listening enlarges our world.

ourselves with. It is so easy to build up this

New York Times Magazine, the Virginia

chamber of validation, and it is so hard and

Quarterly Review, and Popular Science,

excuse that we are all human beings, and

uncomfortable to leave it. But you must.

among other publications.

all, deep down, the same. Saying that we

You must.

It took me a long time to realize that

Listening also puts an end to the

Thank you all, but especially you,

Ryan Bradley '02 is a writer living in

W W W. CATE . O R G

31

The Class of

2016

Every year before Headmaster Ben Williams confers diplomas upon graduating seniors, he speaks of their individual character and achievements, noting the unique ways they’ve enriched life on the Mesa. These “literary snapshots,” composed of observations as well as teacher and advisor reports, speak to the depth and breadth of the Cate community.

CLASS OF 2016

EVER ROMAN ROBERTS AVARY

HANNAH ELIZABETH BARR WITH HONORS

Occidental College

Georgetown University

That name just sounds nice – alliterative,

Hannah wants to enter the world of public

substantial, musical. How often do we

health, a fitting ambition for this remarkably

wonder using the word “ever”? And here he

serene, contemplative caregiver. Her gentle,

is, arguably the most affirming personification

methodical activism has become a fixture

of the term. For our Ever makes everything

here – whether the focus is environmental

possible, even likely. He is brilliant in that

responsibility, community citizenship, or the

gentle, humble, well-meaning way. His

commitments we show one another. She is

answers are always thoughtful and deeply

kind always, which only seems to enhance

informed, the product of not only great

her authority. Even when she competes at

thinking, but great listening. There is in Ever

the very highest level, as the setter on our

a fundamental respect for his fellow man and an endearing sense of

decorated volleyball team, she has a calming and centering effect on

our potential. That is surprising for someone who knows so much –

her teammates. Efficiency, economy, fluidity of motion, and clarity

he is arguably one of our most precocious students of world events

of purpose; these are the byproducts of Hannah’s presence. She has

– yet the challenges of the world and our species don’t seem to daunt

improved us in all manner of ways, but perhaps more important, she

Ever. He can furrow his brow and smile at the same time, wonder

has taught us that substance has little to do with volume and that

perhaps without worrying, and make a community of people better,

service finds its best expression in unselfish grace.

smarter, and kinder. He is one of the best … ever.

HAI “WILLIAM” YANG BAI WITH HIGH HONORS

CEM TURAN BASAR

Cornell University

University of Michigan

William likely smiles in his sleep, if he gets

A faculty member recently called Cem “an

any. He is our Tom Sawyer, the kid who

uncommon young man … as comfortable

makes work look like play and who inspires

navigating the streets of Doha, Qatar, as

those around him to want to join in. William’s

those of Houston, Texas.” He has that rare

scholarship is prodigious by any measure, but

quality that enables him to be in any part

that is not what sets him apart. No, it’s more

of the world, yet be somehow of all of it.

the grin, or the gentle inquiry, or the intrinsic

He connects naturally and graciously. He

compassion that distinguishes William. He is

inspires great affection and gives generously

the child of many nations – China, Canada,

of his own friendship. Teachers universally

the U.S. – which may explain his remarkable

admire Cem’s intellect and his commitment,

dexterity with people. There is no judgment in William, just concern;

referring to him as a “model student … methodical and precise.” He

no fear, just hope. He joins naturally and generously with all manner

works impressively hard, yet shows little signs of wear or fatigue. He

of people and pursuits, celebrates our uniqueness as Head of the

is curious, clever, and careful to do and not simply to think. He is one

International Club, and seems headed for a career in some form of

of our most notable contributors to student government, a partner to

diplomacy. William, after all, may be one of the few who can help to

students and faculty alike in addressing community aspirations, and

make the world a little more like his generous vision for it.

an endearing blend of new world aspiration and old world honor. He is, indeed, a gem.

34

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

TAYLOR NICOLE BIGONY

HANNAH RYEN BOWLIN

Colorado College

Southern Methodist University

Late this winter, Taylor made a film about

Hannah is a glorious blend of art and heart.

gender. She had never done such a thing

Give her a canvas to decorate or a rendering

before, had no training as a filmmaker, but

to imagine, and she’ll do what most can’t,

she was energized by the topic, and she did

see what most don’t, build what we all

it beautifully. That’s Taylor – determined,

wish we could. Such aptitudes don’t come

creative, curious, and completely undaunted.

easily, and, in fact, can only be present with

A teacher once noted of Taylor’s writing

commensurate proportions of courage. That

that it appeals to both a reader’s “intellect

may well be why Hannah is the artist that she

and heart.” Another colleague said the same

is, because courage is in her DNA. Anyone

of Taylor’s work last summer to earn her

who sees her on the volleyball court or the

Wilderness First Responder certification; a healer where healers are

soccer field will acknowledge that. She plays with the kind of skill

hard to find. People like Taylor surely are, too. There is such sincerity

and abandon that inspire and amaze. Admittedly, her own body is

there, such concern, such poise, and such purpose. She has led here

not always capable of meeting Hannah’s demands upon it, which has

conspicuously – as a prefect, a tour guide, an athlete, and the head

kept our athletic training staff rather busy these last four years, but

of our public service program. But she is just as content to let others

pushing past boundaries is what brave people do. Surely Hannah is

lead, to give what is needed for the group, and to do always what is

just beginning to transcend limits, and to create more masterpieces

best, mindfully, of course, and from the heart.

worthy of her great and fearless vision.

AJIBOLA BABAJIDE BODUNRIN

COLE CAVIN BRENNAN

University of Pennsylvania

Skidmore College

Ajibola walks on the balls of his feet and each

“Sometimes it seems as though Cole is made

powerful stride lifts him upward as it propels

of pure energy.” That’s the opening line of

him forward. In fact, that’s the case with

a letter written by a Cate faculty member

every gesture from Ajibola – progress and

seeking to capture this enigmatic young

uplift. He is as cherished by this community

man. Cole’s perpetual motion is certainly

as any individual we have known, the

manifest on the lacrosse field, where he has

byproduct of a personality wired to connect.

eclipsed virtually every Cate record over four

Though he has and does occupy virtually

years of phenomenal play. But it’s also in his

every position of leadership on the campus

intellectual pursuits, his roll-up-the-sleeves

– tour guide, prefect, athletic team captain,

scholarship, and his inclination to get things

head of the Young Men’s Forum – he is in truth more of a Pied Piper

done. Business, the study of it and its professional exercise, animates

than an authority figure. He just cares about people because of who

Cole in the same way a fast break or a slow defenseman does on the

each of us is, which makes us all the more likely to want to be with

lacrosse field. And given his capacity for both work and ingenuity,

him. Humble though he is, Ajibola has no real reason to be. He is a

Cole is surely bound for more great things. He will tell you, too, that

remarkable student and brilliantly self-aware. He can do anything he

he has come from great places – from Chile where he was born, and

sets his mind to, which may well be why we gravitate to him. Because

now from Cate. Each has contributed to Cole’s unique enthusiasm

we know one of those commitments is to all of us.

and his endearing inclination to contribute to his community.

W W W. CATE . O R G

35

CLASS OF 2016

ALEXANDER MICHAEL BROWN

PREMCHAI BUNSERMVICHA

University of California, Santa Barbara

Wesleyan University

Alex is distinct, notable, striking for

Prem is one of those rare people F. Scott

personality alone. He is perpetually stylishly

Fitzgerald noted as capable of a never-ending

dressed, already has his own music label,

series of successful gestures. He is as bright

doesn’t have an introverted bone in his

as they come, inspired particularly by the

body, and is headed for Division I collegiate

quantitative disciplines but phenomenal in

competition in water polo. Hard work in

all of them. He sings beautifully and has the

the service of things he loves is one of Alex’s

kind of dance moves that make even the best

special virtues. And his growth in such areas

K-Poppers jealous. And in just a few years he

of endeavor, like his music or his aquatics,

has become a standout athlete – leading our

is evidence of just how capable he is. One

squash program and running on our 4x100

faculty member called Alex “as brilliant as the moment requires,”

relay team. But Prem’s most notable genius lies less in what he can

which virtually assures his success as a student, a musician, and an

do and more in the influence he can have on everybody else. As one

athlete. But Alex’s virtues will pay far larger dividends in the future,

teacher noted this year, Prem possesses “a sheer positivity that cools

especially when he focuses that remarkable aspiration of his on new

the flames when things get heated.” He is our modulator, one of those

and broader challenges. Like his outsized personality, Alex is the light

we trust to keep the tone and direct the effort, a little like a compass,

that a community needs him to be. And the larger world certainly

with a special magnetism to show the way.

needs his brilliance.

PORTER ALEJANDRO BROWN

CHRISTIAN PAUL BURKE WITH HONORS

Colorado College

University of Southern California

There is something fundamental about Porter

Memorable descriptors of Christian abound.

Brown – a blend of purpose and principle.

“He is an Eastern boy with a Western heart,”

He does everything well but with little or no

“a polite non-conformist,” “a student of the

fanfare. He can even become someone else

living world,” and “a leader in virtually every

on stage, but he never loses his distinctive

class.” His cerebral nature makes Christian

sense of self. He reads voraciously, revels in

a remarkably productive academician,

the solitude of the mountains, and is driven

totally undaunted by challenge and coolly

by the opportunity to dig deeply into topics.

efficient as a problem solver. He joined us

As adept as he is in this universe, he dabbles

as a sophomore, establishing his athletic

in others as well, creating a club called Guild

contributions as quickly as his academic ones.

to fulfill those seeking the domain of Dungeons and Dragons. He

He rose to captain our basketball team and to play a central role in

even shares his time with local students as a tutor, often finding ways

our lacrosse program, all through an impressive balance of discipline,

to reach those whom others can’t. It is a long way from his home

ability, and effort. And he seems poised to continue his vertical

in Rhode Island to this Mesa, but one gets the sense that Porter is

trajectory, for Christian loves the next thing, the newest opportunity

perpetually on the lookout for new things, new ideas, new worlds to

to commit, the next level of study, another way forward. That very

discover. Thank goodness that he found ours.

inclination led him here in the first place, to do his best and bring out ours.

36

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

RYAN JOSHUA CAIN WITH HIGHEST HONORS

EUNBIE EMMANUELLE COE WITH HONORS

Yale University

Wellesley College

Rarely do we come across an artist or a

There is a certain lightly restrained

scholar as skilled, as driven, and as self-

effervescence to Eunbie that invigorates

aware as Ryan. He is better than we might

everything and everyone with whom she

ever imagine a student to be, yet he is more

associates. It’s in little things like the Cate

likely to measure his work against his own

Broadcasting Club, music during passing

lofty standards than our occasional awe. His

periods, gestures of kindness and goodwill

inquiry flows from a well of curiosity that is

to Round Square visitors, or simply a smiling

deep beyond measure and it fires an intellect

assembly announcement. But it’s in the bigger

that is forever reaching for more detail, more

stuff too: her joyful scholarship, her masterful

clarity, more reason. He gravitates to his art,

musicianship, her melodious voice, and her

perhaps to give expression to a level of creativity that will ultimately

reliably gentle bearing. And though folks use terms like “go-getter,”

change things in our world. It’s impossible to know what he’ll do

“conscientious,” and “academic” to describe Eunbie, they fall markedly

or how, but it is easy to trust in Ryan. We do it all the time – in the

short of capturing the spirit of this remarkable young woman. She is

classroom, on the squash court, in El Batidor, on the Mesan, anywhere

more like a composer, building a life full of memorable notes, all of

we need wisdom or inspiration or answers. Perhaps that is why he

which when joined together make for a one-of-a-kind melody.

gravitates to Where the Wild Things Are, a story about the worlds within and beyond. Imagine, and it might be so. Ryan is proof of that.

JAMES JI HONG CHANG

JACOB DEXTER-MELDRUM WITH HONORS

Columbia University

Bowdoin College

To get a sense of James’ remarkable aptitudes,

Jake seems to be perpetually on the lookout

you simply have to look at the names of

for ways to help. He started the “Room

some of the endeavors in which he has been

to Read” program as a freshman with the

involved, like the World Changers Project

hope of acquiring books with which to fill

in Laos, where he also received the Prime

a library he had planned for a village in

Minister’s Medal of Honor. Or the Global

Africa. This gave rise later to a partnership

Enterprise Challenge and the Sir Thomas

with the Indigenous Education Foundation

Stamford Raffles Research Scholarship. He

in Tanzania, to his leadership of our Model

is even an honorary member of the orchestra

UN effort, and to scholarly appetites in fields

at Carnegie Hall, a token he picked up

where Jake may be able ultimately to do

while playing there. Little did we know that this unassuming and

real service to the world and his fellow man. He is competitive too,

remarkable student is already contributing on the world stage. It’s

only in the best sense of the word, trying to get everything he can

fitting, though, given the acuity and understanding we see every day

from himself or his teammates in whatever worthy venture they are

from James. He is a quantitative mastermind, capable perhaps of

engaged. He is a water polo and baseball standout – distinctive for

seeing past the present – as he showed in his Inquiry project – to the

his strength, both physical and moral – and for his leadership, which

patterns that reveal the future. He smiles a lot, too, which tends to

always takes us in the right directions.

make us even more hopeful.

W W W. CATE . O R G

37

CLASS OF 2016

ELIZABETH HILL DOUGLAS WITH HONORS

MAKENA NICOLE FETZER WITH HIGH HONORS

Georgetown University

University of California, Berkeley

There is an uncanny authority to Elizabeth

Makena is universally enthusiastic, especially

Douglas that she exercises with remarkable

when the universe is the topic. The study

sensitivity. Her teachers see it often, one of

of the stars compels her in every productive

them noting, “Elizabeth ended three minutes

way, leading her to late-night viewing sessions

of confused stumbling from her classmates

of planets and galaxies, anomalies, comets

with ten words of perfectly formed concision

and meteor showers. She is brilliant and

that left the rest of the class blinking.” It is

endearingly playful, capable of tackling the

present in her prefectship as well and in her

most challenging intellectual hurdles or

inclination to turn that remarkably insightful

making sense to the layman who does not

eye on herself. In her Tuesday Talk she

possess her cognitive reach. Her curiosity,

captured with alarming clarity her evolving relationship with our

like the universe, knows no real bounds, which gives her every effort

community and with herself, ultimately celebrating our collective

a joyful quality. Even in athletics (on the soccer and track teams)

need and responsibility to look within. Early in Elizabeth’s time at

she engages with a smile. Big challenges, hard questions, unsolved

Cate, a faculty member wrote, “She is a great kid to whom it has not

riddles – these are the things that compel Makena’s mind. Building

yet occurred that she could be extraordinary.” Three years later, that’s

communities, offering care and service, genuinely valuing people –

exactly what she’s become.

these are the traits that distinguish Makena’s citizenship. A pretty powerful combination.

JACOB C. FARNER

SAMUEL GUNN FURMANSKI

Occidental College

University of Puget Sound

The enigmatic grin that distinguishes

Sam took up water polo as a freshman and in

Jacob’s countenance might well suggest

just a few years made himself indispensable

that he knows something we don’t, or hears

to the team. A goalie of remarkable courage

something we miss, or is just thinking

and stunning reflexes, he became great

about something interesting, maybe even

in part, perhaps, because we needed that

entertaining. His mastery of all things

from him. Sam has a deep sensitivity to the

musical, as well as his digital compositions,

people with whom he shares his life. He

confirms that Jacob’s imagination reaches

is patient and calm, forward thinking and

beyond most, into the realm of creation. For

optimistic. We trust him and have come to

Jacob, that looks like a placid, almost serene

know and admire his kindness and sincerity.

exercise. He is unflappable, artistic without being moody, curious

That very appreciation led to his appointment as a teaching assistant

without being tormented. He is consistently at ease yet seems most

in Sophomore Seminar, the ideal expression for his community-

at home and comfortable in the out-of-doors. There perhaps he has

minded spirit. Sam, in fact, has found a distinctive balance in his life,

access to a different kind of rhythm and music, one that resonates

blending his own scholarship with the genuine unselfish citizenship

with his own quality of existence. Whether he is climbing a rock

that everyone notices. They couldn’t miss his saves in the pool either,

face, or kayaking in the surf, or deejaying a dance, Jacob seems both

which often are as inspiring as his affable nature.

energized and content. Maybe that’s the reason for the grin.

38

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

JULIA S. GAN WITH HIGH HONORS

CLINTON DONNELL HALL III

Haverford College

Claremont McKenna College

Most of the descriptors of Julia are connected

Clinton calls himself “non-traditional,”

somehow to her indomitable will. Teachers

perhaps because he does things the rest of

and coaches alike refer to her as “dogged,”

us can’t: like that shoulder shake he used

“persistent,” ”unflappable,” and “undaunted.”

in Ragtime, a dance move that looked a lot

We know her work ethic well, have seen her

like the one he used to avoid tacklers on the

drive herself to extraordinary levels of play

football field. Clinton’s art is indeed versatile.

on the tennis court, know how committed

He can guide class discussions in the same

she is to her work and her sport. But there is

way he leads our football, basketball, and

an art to Julia’s aspiration, a delicacy to the

track teams – both with the character of his

power of her forehand. She carries the weight

own performances and the unselfishness of

of expectation thoughtfully and earnestly, and she shows as much

them. He has advanced the work of the Young Men’s Forum, stood

grace as she does strength in her convictions. Arriving on our Mesa

up for programming and community investment in efforts designed

as a sophomore, she this year took on the role of teaching assistant,

to keep race, difference, and humanity in community discourse, and

reaching outside her own challenges to help others with theirs. In so

has shared his unique and affirming charisma. Having arrived as the

doing, she revealed not only her thoughtful generosity but her legacy

winner of a national award for scholarship from the KIPP schools,

of unselfish care and dedication.

Clinton has more than lived up to his own promise, and he has helped us realize ours too.

ANNA ELIZABETH GRAVES

ELAN DAKOTA HALPERN

Claremont McKenna College

Stanford University

When U.S. Lacrosse named Anna an

Responding to a question of how she is able

“Academic All-American,” her coach took

to so casually and comfortably maintain

issue with the phrasing. “All–Around

relationships with all manner of people

All-American would be more precise,” she

on and around the Mesa, Elan quipped,

said. Indeed, Anna has done everything

“Honestly, I just don’t get nervous around

exceptionally well on our Mesa. She is an

anybody.” Or anything, for that matter.

athlete, of course, quick, strong, and fearless.

Occasionally brash, usually brilliant,

She doesn’t smile a lot when she competes,

perpetually clever, and always entertaining,

but she more than makes up for that off the

Elan just goes from memorable moment to

field or the court. Her natural state seems

memorable moment, often with a smile and

to be joy, mixed with endearing portions of playfulness, humor, and

every once in a while with a roar. She is as much magician on the

compassion. She can and is serious when necessary. How else might

basketball court as she is courageous in class discussions and ruthlessly

she be the remarkable athlete and student that she is? But Anna

efficient in assessments. She is a leader who would be so even without

balances her sense of purpose and responsibility with just the right

her many titles, and she is an inspiring citizen. Her familiar refrain in

portion of light-heartedness. That very nature led her to a prefectship

team huddles – “we’ve got this” – is also a prophecy. We have trusted

this year, to captaincies, to her role as a tour guide for visiting families,

Elan since she arrived, and it’s occasionally a wild ride. But as Robert

and to the very all-around title to which her coach so aptly referred.

Frost said, “that has made all the difference.”

W W W. CATE . O R G

39

CLASS OF 2016

SAMANTHA CHASE HILL WITH HIGH HONORS

SEUNGJAE “JAE” HONG WITH HIGH HONORS

Johns Hopkins University

Dartmouth College

Sam arrived as a heralded athlete, so powerful

Everybody knows Jae and appreciates his

and accomplished on the lacrosse field that

tendency to make assembly announcements

we struggled to find a goalie who was willing

with gestures as much as words, his

to stand in front of her blistering shot. And

distinctive white Birkenstocks, his unusual

while she has more than lived up to her

and endearing energy, his brilliance and his

billing athletically, we have come to feel and

candor. He is gentle and kind always, but he

value her presence almost more profoundly

does not shy from the truth and is willing to

everywhere else. She is as creative as she is

confront challenges – both intellectual and

analytical, a truly gifted student with an eye

socio/cultural - that most would avoid or

for detail and a knack for expression. Never

ignore. He is our conscience, deftly steering

willing to play it safe, Sam always pushes her scholarship, her art, even

and guiding us, so that we might see in a better and more balanced

her citizenship, asking from the community the same commitment

way. He occupies several positions of authority – tour guide, teaching

Sam shows. She has led our Women’s Forum, pushed us to be a more

assistant, head of the Ross Robins Club for Equality – but his real

inclusive community, and shared her own unique perspective with us.

authority comes more from within. We respond to Jae, not because

Power comes in many forms and has many beneficial and productive

he is so incredibly smart, but because he is so honorable, so aware

expressions. Sam is fluent seemingly in all of them.

of his fellow man, and so genuinely helpful. As one faculty member admitted, “Jae is one of our models for how to be.”

40

MALIHA ASHANTI HOLLIS

GRAEME DUNCAN HUGO

University of Virginia

Santa Clara University

Maliha brought so many qualities to Cate that

Graeme Hugo may be our most versatile

are reflective of her upbringing in Montana:

citizen. He’s a great student, known for his

hard work, resourcefulness, unselfishness, and

curiosity and careful articulation. He is an

an abiding respect for people and possibility.

athlete, contributing particularly to our

She rose to her prefectship this year by always

baseball program. And he is a remarkable

striving to be and do better, but without

performer – funny, convincing, musical, and

compromising on her high standards, and by

mesmerizing. He has risen to a number of

committing herself to guide and support her

critically important leadership roles, fulfilling

peers. Her strength is conspicuous, manifest

each with his characteristic sincerity and

in how she aspires and how she succeeds.

aplomb. But, in truth, the way Graeme

From the backcountry to the classroom to the basketball court, we

does things is as impressive as his many accomplishments. He is just

see power and confidence in Maliha, the kind that distinguishes her

charming, so much so that his classmates chose him freshman year to

without diminishing others. There is a practicality, too, that colors

invite the ladies of ’25 House over to Long House for a social. They

her efforts, making her not only helpful but endearingly direct and

accepted for the same reason we all do when Graeme asks, because

responsible. Just as Maliha is proud to identify with her native state,

we can’t imagine a better or more thoughtful or more likable guy with

we are honored to call her one of ours.

whom to spend our time.

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

REI IMADA WITH HONORS

JONATHAN JUNGHYUN KIM WITH HONORS

Claremont McKenna College

Johns Hopkins University

Rei Imada believes anything is possible, and if

J. Robert Oppenheimer once said, “The

he’s involved … it usually is. He is the young

most fundamental quality of a scientist is

man with the bright eyes who always has

a love of mankind.” He would have loved

something helpful to say or contribute, who

Jonathan Kim. A decorated mathematician

leads with patient goodwill and remarkable

since his sophomore year at Cate, Jonathan

insight, and who matches his insatiable

has had perhaps the greatest impact on our

appetite for knowledge with an uncanny gift

writers and storytellers on the Mesa. He has

for acquiring information, and the skills to use

led our Tuesday Talk program this year to

it. A child of many nations – he was born in

unprecedented levels of presentation and

Japan and lived in Poland and Africa before

insight. “Who am I and who are you?” he

coming to Cate – Rei may well be one of those archetypal citizens

asked in his own address. What we commit ourselves to be, Jonathan

of the world, the kind who helps to connect us to our fundamental

answered, as much with the conduct of his life as with his language.

humanity. He has already distinguished himself through his service,

Indeed, whether the endeavor involves his music, his contributions

earning a Metherall Grant from Cate to sustain a village in Mongolia.

to El Batidor, his incredible scholarship, or cooking a meal for his

He has more than nourished ours too, giving substance to an idea of

podmates on the Kern River, Jonathan cares, gives it his all, wants

human-centered scholarship that is profound and inspiring.

to get it right. Even his aspirations, which revolve around medicine, reflect the power of the intellect in the service and care of humanity.

HANNAH LOUISE JORGENSEN

JUSTIN CHUNG KWAN LEUNG WITH HONORS

Bowdoin College

University of Chicago

Hannah often becomes quite nervous before

The best way to understand Justin is to

she performs, as though she is not confident

watch what he does when he’s not working.

she will do justice to the music she’ll make.

You may see him reading, which he does

Nobody else worries at all, because we have

voraciously; or traveling to Transition House

never heard a voice as soulful and melodic

on a Wednesday evening; working out on the

as hers. She can transport an audience with

soccer field; or teaching himself economics

song, but in truth she doesn’t really need

so that he can take the Econ AP. Aside from

music to be inspiring. She is one of our

juggling an impressive academic load, which

beloved citizens and leaders, notable for the

he handles with remarkable grace, Justin is a

both the principle and compassion of her

prefect in Long House and the very counselor

leadership. Faculty love to have her in class, for her scholarship is as

and role model the underclassmen need to build purposeful lives like

provocative as her voice. Peers gravitate to her as well, sensing perhaps

Justin’s. He is active in the Young Men’s Forum, and a believer in the

that in Hannah they have found someone who values them for exactly

power we all have to influence the character of human experience.

who they are. A faculty member suggested recently that there is a

Naturally a bit reserved, he finds expression in a wry sense of humor,

theme to Hannah’s every effort and commitment: human expression

the generous commitments he makes, the dedicated manner in which

and love. Clearly, she has a remarkable capacity for both.

he fulfills them, and the principled compassion that is at the root of his nature.

W W W. CATE . O R G

41

CLASS OF 2016

MIKAELA YANFEI LI WITH HONORS

GABRIELLA MARIE LIMÓN WITH HONORS

Wellesley College

Yale University

Mikaela is one of our most distinctive

Whatever the coming challenge, Gabi is

problem solvers. She is a mathematician

surely ready for it. Her scholarship sparkles

certainly, and wonderfully original when

with insight, acumen, earnest inquiry. She

confronted with everything from a physics

is a writer of uncommon poise and purpose,

anomaly to a subtle implication in a literary

capable of molding language into the kinds of

text. She has mastered everything at Cate,

melodies you are apt to hear from her violin

even supplementing her program with study

or her piano. Whatever the instrument, Gabi

in business and diversity training. Mikaela

can use it to fashion her compelling voice.

seems to thrive as much on the breadth of

And Gabi ensures every such expression is

knowing as she does on the depth. But it is

as productive as it is lyrical. Her work with

expression, ironically, that may be Mikaela’s legacy at Cate. Some of

El Batidor reflects that very intentionality and artistry. It would be

that we see on the basketball court, where the unflappable Mikaela

easy to assume that Gabi is just naturally great, given the breadth of

gives us glimpses into the competitor within. The other is in the

her talent, but it is her eagerness to refine her gifts that determines

studio, where she is capable of capturing people and images with

her unique trajectory. Kind and humble, she finds joy in the journey,

astonishing clarity and understanding. The technique is flawless, of

which is why she has already traveled so far down the road to wisdom.

course, but the insight is almost more memorable and revealing of the connection Mikaela implicitly celebrates with each new rendering.

EMMA SARAH LIBERMAN WITH HONORS

JESSICA BING-YING LIOU WITH HONORS

Davidson College

University of Southern California

Emma organized her Tuesday Talk this year

Many of her classmates thought Jessica

around a series of statements and beliefs

brave when she agreed to try out for goalie

about the human condition, on what the

on the lacrosse team, especially when a shot

world needs and we can offer, on our limits,

would occasionally carom off her helmet.

which Emma doesn’t seem to have. She

Jessica just laughed it off. She built herself

pushes hard – always – with the hope of

into one of Cate’s very best squash players

discovery or achievement or simply more

ever. Why not do the same in lacrosse?

and better questions. She is a competitor,

Besides, Jessica has always done what is

fierce and strong, even breaking several

needed, far better than anyone else could.

bones over four years in the goal for the Cate

42

She became our head prefect for that very

soccer team. Her strong convictions contribute dramatically to her

reason, because we trust her, admire her, and needed her to lead

authority, as does her willingness to follow thought with action. The

the way. Her scholarship is similarly inspiring, a balance of uncanny

world occasionally lets Emma down, but rarely does Emma let the

understanding, precise thinking, and artful expression. She is a

world down. Instead, she tries to make it better, as an activist or here

brilliant filmmaker, a skilled flutist, and a remarkable hip-hop

as editor of El Batidor. She has most certainly been an agent for the

dancer. Perhaps most notable, though, Jessica has managed to matter

very best expression of leadership and citizenship at Cate, and she has

in so many lives on the Mesa. As one student noted recently, “She’s

made us believers too – especially in her.

my hero. She’s everybody’s hero!”

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

MCKENNA CHRISTINA MADDEN WITH HONORS

LYDIA GRACE MCMAHON WITH HIGH HONORS

Boston College

Georgetown University

It has not been uncommon these last

Lydia hasn’t slowed down for a minute

four years to see McKenna literally taped

since she set foot on this Mesa, jumping

together, competing for Cate on the tennis

wholeheartedly into every conceivable

court or the soccer field or the track despite

area of endeavor. And in each one, she has

the pain. One faculty member called her a

distinguished herself, fashioning a tenure

“rock” and noted that she is just as likely to

that is as memorable as it is artful. One of her

push through challenge in the classroom as

teachers, in fact, referred to Lydia recently

she is in athletics or in the community. We

as “a scientist with the soul of an artist.”

have come to rely on McKenna’s reliability,

She gravitates in particular to the study of

in fact, and her inclination to do or give

cognition, a fitting topic for someone with her

even more than we expect. She became a teaching assistant this

level of discernment. But she is just as likely to strap on a pair of cleats

year for that very reason and took over the head of the opinion and

as she is to stare down the barrel of a microscope. Our varsity lacrosse

editorial section of El Batidor. Who better than McKenna to raise

and volleyball teams have relied on Lydia’s athleticism, just as our

the important issues or help us to navigate them? She admits that

many vocal ensembles have been distinguished by her mesmerizing

she does not always like to be watched or even cheered on when

voice. Uplift seems second nature to Lydia, not simply as an artist, but

she competes, mostly because it makes her nervous that she will

as an athlete, a scholar, a student, and even this year as a teacher.

somehow let us down. But she never does.

PETER DAVID MARCUS

MEGAN ELISE METTLER

The Culinary Institute of America

Barnard College

Perhaps Peter’s captivating self-assurance

A faculty member describes Megan as

and easy-going manner come from a clarity

an “independent thinker, self-motivated,

of purpose he has been refining since he was

self-reliant, innately curious, incredibly

very young. While he has excelled in every

bright.” Her maturity as a freshman led to

way at Cate, Peter has long had his sights on

her selection to serve on a committee of

becoming a chef. Certainly he knows a great

the Board of Trustees, a position she has

deal about flavor, for he adds it wherever

distinguished ever since with the clarity of

he goes to whatever he does. Our football

her thought. The girls’ basketball team she

games owe at least some of the fans to Peter’s

managed affectionately refers to Megan as

irresistible barbecues, designed, perhaps, to

“Mom” because “she takes such good care

build community as well as to sate appetites. He is adventurous too,

of us!” Destined for a career in medicine, Megan has already taken

having left us for a portion of his junior year to study in Israel, perhaps

strides in that direction at Cate, not simply with her studies, but with

to add yet more season and spice to his repertoire. But there is

the creation of a medical symposium involving practitioners in the area.

something about a career in nourishment, something that speaks to a

She is a student athletic trainer, too, but she is just as willing to step out

person’s desire to enrich others. Peter will do remarkable things in the

of her areas of expertise. She joined the cast of Singin’ in the Rain last

kitchen, surely, but we know he is just as good outside of it.

year because Megan admitted she needed to do something that terrified her. Rare courage and rare poise from an even rarer student.

W W W. CATE . O R G

43

CLASS OF 2016

JACOB MARSHALL MEYER WITH HONORS

CHARLOTTE BONNIE MONKE

Colorado College

Emory University

A teacher once referred to Jacob’s character

To run like Charlotte does – to be among

as “rock solid … like the granite in the

the best long-distance athletes that Cate

mountains he loves.” An outdoorsman

has ever seen or known, to push past what

through and through, Jacob spent a semester

everybody else thinks you might do to

during his junior year studying at the

achieve what sometimes only you know you

High Mountain Institute. And while his

can – that takes a special kind of talent and

orienteering and winter camping skills may

conviction. And in Charlotte it is manifest

have progressed there, it was the intentional

in far more than her running. It is in the way

focus on leadership that was most evident on

she balances great seriousness of purpose

Jacob’s return. Always humble and politely

with refreshing candor and just the right

purposeful, Jacob just oozes self-awareness, integrity and compassion.

amount of whimsy. Those very virtues and unprecedented dedication

He is particularly magical in group settings, where he adds richness,

made her the ultimate teaching assistant, prompting the department

vigor, and judgment. Teammates expect him to set the standard

chair to observe, “Charlotte was more teacher than assistant.” She

of commitment, which he always does, never offering less than his

has range too, showing captivating presence as a stage actor, gracious

best. His scholarship is infused with the same energy and humility

hospitality as a tour guide, impressive chops as an academician, and

as his citizenship and his leadership, which is surely why all are so

the momentum derived from that long, steady, record-setting stride.

unassumingly productive.

KELLER WHITFORD MOCHEL

THOMAS DUFFY MONTGOMERY

Colorado College

Dickinson College

Keller has always been the person we most

Duffy’s nickname on the baseball field is

needed him to be. When we needed an

“Nails,” and he looks the part. His uniform

athlete, a leader on the field, a standard setter

is dirty even at the beginning of games, his

in competition, he was exactly that. When

hat is sweat stained, and he has this casually

we needed a stage actor, a singer, someone to

menacing swagger that makes opponents

show exactly how diverse a skill set a young

worry about hitting the ball in his direction.

man can have, Keller showed it. He grew up

In truth, he is far more friendly than ferocious

on this Mesa before he came to Cate. But

– one of the most entertaining and engaging

in the last four years he has grown into it,

young men you’ll ever meet. But he is gritty

infusing our community with his power, his

– as an athlete certainly, as a student, even as

purpose, his perspective, and his peace. Critical as he is to so much

an outdoorsman. He works through stuff, and seems to be at his best

we do here, there is never any swagger to Keller, no ego – just hope,

when he is active, in motion, not just intellectually but physically. It

appreciation, a ready laugh, and a kind word. In fact, if you ask Keller

was no accident that he did the Kern trip twice or that he spends the

what matters most to him, he won’t likely mention the many victories

better part of each summer on canoe trips in the wilderness. He just

or championships. He’ll talk about the people, about the ideas he got

has that kind of passion and energy and mettle. And given his unique

to pursue, and about the place he made home.

character and sense of humor, Duffy’s fortunate companions never know a dull moment.

44

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

ISABEL JOY MOSS

MICHAEL WILHELM NETTESHEIM WITH HIGH HONORS

New York University

Williams College

We have watched Izzy find her purpose

There’s a great letter written on Michael’s

at Cate, see the student and citizen she

behalf that identifies him as a “young

might become, and then become it. She

Socrates” and “that amazing rarity, our

is organized, of course, and remarkably

Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.” His distinctive

industrious, but she has also shown a creative

scholarship is colored by his insatiable and

knack, an ability to iterate original thinking

provocative curiosity. He seems to enjoy

and engage peers in her process. She helped

questions far more than answers, though in

initiate the Writing Relay to serve students

our answer culture he is happy to conform as

eager to invest in the art of language and this

necessary. Teachers suggest Michael is more

year became a teaching assistant so that she

interested in what the people next to him

might guide underclassmen toward the same kind of constructive

think than in his own cogitations, which makes him not only bright

citizenship she shows. Summer work at the Georgetown Institute for

but respected and appreciated. He can be combative, of course, both

Law has led Izzy toward a possible career in law and the opportunity

intellectually and as an athlete, but that too is always in service to

in her words “to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.” We

some laudable objective. A quarterback and captain of the football

have certainly seen the fighter in Izzy, and the compassion and

team and a four-year varsity tennis player, Michael understands that

empathy which complement it. It is the balance of these very qualities

his efforts are often on behalf of his team or his community, which

that distinguishes her past and assures her bright future.

may well be why he competes so powerfully and productively.

HARRISON OTIS MURRAY

EVAN KATHERINE OETGEN

University of Michigan

New York University

We spent some time trying to push Harrison

A faculty member recently called Evan

into places where we thought he needed to

Kate “deceptively intrepid,” perhaps in

be – like the football field his freshman year.

reference to her junior year abroad in Italy

And he kindly indulged us for a while. But

or her fascination with culture and language.

things changed for Harrison when he stopped

Immersion experiences are Evan Kate’s

wondering what others wanted from him

specialty and she seems to thrive on the

and began working on what he wanted for

ability to know a place and its people from

himself. His scholarship, which was tentative

the inside out. That very interest has led her

at first, took on greater energy and clarity. His

to Kenya and India, where she and her family

work ethic improved in both intensity and

have been activated by the opportunity to

breadth of application. He contributed to our baseball program, took

understand the culture and to help. Thankfully, she has taken the

on summer study initiatives to broaden his understanding of business

same approach at Cate, focusing also on the people, this year in

and marketing, and invested himself in his many friendships on the

particular as a teaching assistant in our Sophomore Seminar program.

Mesa. In truth, Harrison is a remarkably gentle soul, inclined towards

There we see not only Evan Kate’s effort and inquiry but also her

camaraderie more than competition, and eager always now to do and

hope and the practical exercise of her belief that we can all make an

be his very best.

impact on the world. We just need to be willing – as she is – to jump in with both feet.

W W W. CATE . O R G

45

CLASS OF 2016

JASON H. PAK

MINH THU “MINTY” PHAM WITH HIGH HONORS

University of Pennsylvania

Brown University

Jason makes the planet brighter. That

Minty captivated us from the beginning. That

endearing smile is seemingly the only face

lovely lilting English accent had something

he shows the world, and he derives genuine

to do with it, as did her unbridled passion for

joy through the learning process. Indeed,

discovery. She is the consummate humble

whether he is improving a solo on his

scholar, acutely aware of all the things she

saxophone, setting up for a jump shot on the

would like to know and thrilled when the

basketball court, or diving into a text in his

possibility to learn something new arrives.

Spanish literature class, Jason seems totally

Her energy is infectious and her influence

energized and deeply content. His empathy is

universally positive. She became a prefect

as profound as his scholarship, giving even his

after less than a year on the Mesa in large

intellectual pursuits a highly personal quality. And he is never afraid

part because the respect and trust she earned in her short tenure was

to be himself, even sporting the “man bun” for a while this year. But

and is prodigious. Environmental issues and the opportunity to effect

he never gets much grief for such things largely because everything he

change fire her up in the same way a visit to one of our Foster Homes

does is distinguished by earnest intentions and remarkable sincerity.

does. Minty just seems to live to contribute, always in the most

Like an emotional touchstone, Jason’s presence suggests all will be

earnest and constructive ways. Two years with her was not enough,

well, and that the world is all we need it to be.

but we’re deeply thankful for the time we got.

CHARLOTTE HADLEY PECOT

JULIE DANG PHAN

Tulane University

Occidental College

Charlotte seems to play a role in every life on

Julie arrived on the Mesa with a nickname

this Mesa. Her drawing of a classmate earned

given to her by the Admission Committee:

a scholastic art award. Another rendering of

Julie Phan-tastic. She has more than earned

a bunny from freshman year holds a place

the moniker ever since, diving into all manner

of honor on a friend’s desk. The inscription

of activities before focusing intensively on

on the back says, “Do not ever throw this

her music. A percussionist, pianist, guitarist,

away.” She makes friends with such casual

and songwriter, Julie is literally a one-woman

grace that we cannot help but be smitten,

band. But thankfully, Julie’s pursuits are

and she takes such care of her relationships

rarely solitary. A joiner by nature, she has

that we never let go. Community leadership

46

even reached out beyond Cate, spending

comes naturally for her as much through her own gregarious nature

a semester at the High Mountain Institute in Colorado honing her

as through the titles she holds. She is really the ultimate Big Sister,

skills in the out-of-doors and cultivating the kind of perspective and

the ideal teammate, the most engaging intellectual adversary, and the

purpose that Thoreau wrote about in Walden. Julie admits that for

most inspiring, warm-hearted, uncommonly tough competitor we’ll

much of her life school was an escape, but like Thoreau at his pond

ever meet. Our memories of these last four years, like that drawing,

she has turned it into an opportunity. While his gift was literature,

are a treasure we will never throw away.

Julie will surely rely on song to tell her continuing compelling story.

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

MORGAN ROBERT PIERCE

JACKSON STRATTON PRUITT

Juniata College

NYU Shanghai

Morgan is one of our favorite people to watch

There is an enviable cohesion to Jack Pruitt’s

on the way out of Tuesday Talks. After he

life, filled as it always seems to be with a

unfolds that lanky frame, he looks first for

delightful mix of aptitudes, endeavors, and

the student he will walk out of the sanctuary

virtues. He does everything well and some

with, greets him or her with a grin, and then

things exceptionally so. He is a competitive

swings that long arm around his companion’s

and accomplished athlete, yet coaches laud

shoulders. It’s a kind gesture and a protective

him, too, for his understanding of the beauty

one, as if to say, “I got you. You’re safe with

of sport. He is as likely to win a race as he

me.” This gentle giant really is all heart,

is to cheer himself hoarse in support of his

inclined to be generous and helpful in large

teammates; to listen carefully to a classmate

part because he just likes being with people. And he never wants to

as he is to volunteer his own thoughts. He took on a prefectship in

let anybody down, which is why (particularly on the volleyball court)

Long House this year and has become the resource we always trusted

easy-going Morgan occasionally feels the weight of the world on his

him to be. It is truly that blend of characteristics – the confidence and

shoulders. A brilliant and powerful player, we have relied on him to

the humility, the aspiration and the perspective that makes Jack’s

do it all, even when such a thing was wholly unreasonable. But he

nature so rare and his leadership so subtly meaningful.

never let us down, simply reached higher, swung harder, and carried us along.

PATRICK LARKIN PRESTRIDGE WITH HONORS

CORDELIA KINGDON PRYOR

Georgia Institute of Technology

Purdue University

Patrick is the young man we hope our

Cordelia is brave. She loves a good adventure

children will emulate – kind, dependable,

and seems, in fact, to be ever on the lookout

principled, and purposeful. He has managed

for them. Perhaps that is why she’ll so happily

at Cate to be excellent without ever being

plunge into a conversation with anyone she

obsessive. He is competitive and perpetually

encounters, head into the backcountry, or step

fair-minded, broadly invested and eternally

into a canoe and let the river take her where

good-natured. As one teacher sheepishly

it may. She made quite a splash her junior

noted, “All this … and he has never needed

year when a complication on her Kern River

any adult advice.” Patrick can work the most

trip resulted in Cordelia being helicoptered

challenging math problems as deftly as he can pick up a sport and

out, but the experience only fired her up to get her Wilderness First

become an immediate contributor. He is an Eagle Scout, so he is

Responder certification so that she might offer medical care rather

familiar with commitment. But there is an art to his effort and a

than require it. Health care, ever since that moment, has become

balance that makes his aspiration all the more healthy and influential.

Cordelia’s aspiration, and frankly it is hard to imagine a doctor more

Patrick is driven not simply to do his best, but to gently compel others

likely to put a patient at ease or to see through to the root cause of

to do the same. And the result is not only accomplishment but a

the problem. “She’ll swashbuckle her way,” said one faculty member,

memorable and fulfilling journey.

“through everything life can throw at her … and come out smiling.”

W W W. CATE . O R G

47

CLASS OF 2016

MARIA MADELEIN RIOS

CECELIA JANE SANBORN WITH HIGH HONORS

Johns Hopkins University

Pomona College

Maria is kind and patient, polite and

Cecelia is our hummingbird, perpetually

thoughtful. She will not tell you when you

in motion yet gracefully and artistically

have erred or lost track in your argument. But

efficient. A colleague refers to her as

she will find a way to help get you back on

“intellectual dynamite” and “an exquisite

track or discover the truth you are missing.

problem solver.” She will as likely join a

Her incredible intelligence she offers as a

math team to work on complex problems

service to her fellow man, so that it might

as pick up a tennis racket or rehearse on her

be more useful and perhaps contribute to

oboe. As a musician, Cecelia is one of our

the way we use our own minds. “Girls Who

most accomplished, a leader in our orchestra

Code” started in part because of Maria, and

and a soloist with the Santa Barbara Youth

she has set her sights on a career as an engineer. Putting her many

Symphony. For the last three years, too, she has been greeting

skills to work is one of Maria’s specialties, as is supporting those who

families to the Mesa, this year as one of the heads of our Tour Guide

would like to get the most out of theirs. That very inclination has led

program. Once she even appeared on a panel for applicants in her

Maria to become one of our most devoted tutors for local kids and

lacrosse uniform, since there was no time to change. We may not see

a teaching assistant in our Human Development program. It also

the wings that carry her from one generous contribution to another,

likely compels her to be that rare engineer whose aptitudes run to the

but we certainly admire the results.

construction of human communities.

JILLIAN CLAIRE ROGERS WITH HIGH HONORS

MALACHI MURPHY SCHRAGER

Stanford University

Santa Clara University

In one project this year, Jillian partnered with

Students and teachers will observe Malachi

another student to contend with a fictitious

in the pool, where he is an accomplished

outbreak of TB in Texas. The challenge

aquatic athlete, and remark on the distance he

brought out so many of Jillian’s remarkable

has travelled. There is always respect in the

aptitudes – her capacity for detailed analysis,

observation, and often some measure of awe.

her passion for the biological sciences, her

The fact is, Malachi has made himself into

mastery of logistics and strategy. There is

the water polo player and swimmer that he is;

nothing of an academic nature that Jillian

he’s put in the time, and he certainly does not

can’t do remarkably well, and the prospect

shy from hard work. Which is why Malachi’s

of directing that intellect toward the service

48

far less public but no less meaningful

of mankind is good news for all of us. In the meantime, though,

achievements, most of them in the classroom, don’t get quite the

Jillian may well be busy on the volleyball court, where she has played

same attention. Malachi has built his scholarship with purpose and

through pain and injury to be a mainstay of our program. Indeed,

conviction, and he has committed his whole self to the work. Indeed,

Jillian’s fortitude in sport speaks most powerfully to her capacity for

he aspires to a career in business and engineering, perhaps so that

good works. She is never daunted or passive in the face of a challenge.

Malachi can continue to build things in the same manner he has his

She attacks problems of any sort in the same way she strikes a

own intellectual and academic life. He clearly has all the tools … and

volleyball: with authority, precision, and uncommon vision.

the capacity to use them well.

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

JOEL SERUGO

DEAN BURICH SMITH

Harvard University

Macalester College

It’s easy to talk about Joel the athlete. His

Dean is old school. He likes things he can

accomplishments on the soccer field and in

rely on – hard work, commitment, practice,

track and field are pretty much legendary.

discipline, generosity of spirit, manners, trust,

That combination of skill and speed and

friendship. He is one of our most remarkable

vision is a winning one, literally. But we might

citizens, not simply for his accomplishments

do Joel a remarkable disservice if his brilliance

– some of which, like not missing a single

in one area of endeavor was not acknowledged

day of school in four years, are legendary –

in relation to a kind of citizenship that has

but for the sincerity of his compassion, the

been demonstrative too. Joel does not wander

clarity of his priorities, and the kindness of his

from his path or his principles. He is forever

interactions. He is one of the best all-around

true, which also makes him one of the best friends a person could

athletes we have ever seen – both in ability and in character – but he

ever want. His great intellect he wields carefully, using it to advance

is far more likely to celebrate a teammate or honor an opponent or

his own work but never as a foil to another’s. And his good-natured

congratulate a coach than he is to take any credit for himself. And

bearing allows him to be committed to his work without being

he is always there, like the ball boy he was to that first Cate 8-man

obsessive about it. It is fitting actually, given his athleticism, that Joel’s

football team, reliable in his excellence, loyal beyond measure, and

gift is his balance and speed. Because that’s exactly what he shows …

eager to take on the next great endeavor or worthy collaboration.

even when he is not on the pitch or the track.

PEYTON TERRELL ELIZABETH SHELBURNE

BRANDON MICHAEL SUGARMAN WITH HIGHEST HONORS

Wake Forest University

Stanford University

There is nothing but power in Peyton. She is

The third son in a family of British

a coiled spring waiting to lift off the ground

expatriates, Brandon has always been the one

so that she might direct a volleyball at high

with the easygoing drawl more reminiscent

speed to the floor. She has been a force

of California than London, with that can-do

on our team since her freshman year, not

swagger, and a charismatic comfort with

simply because of her skill, her timing, and

all manner of people. He is an academic

her perfect mechanics, but because of her

juggernaut, capable of masterful problem-

tenacity, her commitment, her fire. Who

solving and compelling oratory. Indeed,

better than Peyton to get the best out of

engaging in a good argument may well be

everybody else? We see her getting it out

one of Brandon’s favorite pastimes. But he

of herself every day. That’s as true academically as it is athletically.

wields that mind of his gently and thoughtfully, and he uses it in

Peyton works and focuses, she goes the extra mile, and she seeks

the service of far more than himself. He became our student body

productive feedback and constructive criticism. She looks past what

president this year in part because we all were compelled by his desire

she knows she can do to imagine what she might do … and then she

to accomplish something for all of us. And having seen him invest

goes out and does it. That takes courage as much as fortitude, but

himself so heavily in our music and athletic programs, we understood

that too is not lacking in Peyton. It is the very thing that propels her

that Brandon’s perspective, much like his scholarship, would surely

towards the fulfillment of her own potential, establishing milestones

light the way.

of achievement and contribution along the way.

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CLASS OF 2016

JOHN DEARBORN TARLTON

MAXIMILIANO AIDAN VASQUEZ

Bowdoin College

Colorado College

Jack arrived as a junior and immediately

Upon hearing him speak before a group

found himself torn between competing

of current and former Cate trustees, one

interests – play John Proctor in The Crucible

member of the group was heard to say,

or play goalie for our water polo team.

“His pacing was magical. It was like he was

Everybody wants Jack involved in what they

pulling wisdom from a young well.” We

are doing, because he always has something

have come to expect that from Max, that he

powerful to contribute. He’s an idea guy,

will be generous, that he will be insightful,

fascinated by the big picture, by meaning,

that he will be mature beyond his years. He

and truth. His scholarship is original and

became one of our head prefects for those

insightful, tinged always by his uncanny

very reasons, and for a host of others – like his

depth of thought. He is busy, of course, because he wants to do

patient scholarship, his unflappability, his humor. The latter he has

too many things. That first year, he chose the stage, captivating the

needed to combat a series of injuries that repeatedly took Max out

audience with an intense and tortured rendering of the doomed

of our athletic program. But Max used the time to become an artist,

Proctor. This fall, he was back in the pool, and it is hard to know what

to build those many aptitudes he never knew he had, and to discover

will consume his time next year. We imagine, though, that it will be

the kind of power that does not require a team or an athletic field to

something creative, constructive, and revealing of his great affection

exercise. And he has used it in service to this community, always in

for people and partners, ideas and communities.

the most compassionate and thoughtful ways.

ALONDRA ELENA TORRES-NAVARRO WITH HONORS

YVETTE VEGA

Harvey Mudd College

University of San Francisco

Before she came to Cate, and throughout her

Yvette can capture things – incredible images

early school years, Alondra’s favorite place was

with her camera, cogent thoughts with her

the library. Her curiosity and love of learning

distinctive language, the dynamics of human

are truly profound, leading to a distinctive

interaction with her keen observations and

and impassioned level of scholarship. One

uncanny insight. She aspires ultimately to be

teacher called her “relentlessly positive,” and

a psychologist, and to use her many aptitudes

another suggested she is the embodiment

in the service of those seeking the very clarity

of Servons. Her every act is infused with

that distinguishes Yvette’s own life and

the desire not simply to achieve but to do

scholarship. She became a teaching assistant

something worthy, something that supports

toward fulfillment of that helpful ambition,

or validates or improves the life of another. She leads everything

and she supplements it with service work in the summer or in those

from our LGBTQ efforts to Round Square to Girls Who Code, all

occasional unfettered moments here on the Mesa. As one teacher

with gentle purpose and unwavering affirmation. When it comes to

noted, “Relying on Yvette’s character and decision-making is easy, for

that combination of ability and conviction, Alondra is in rarefied air,

she always seeks the responsible and compassionate path.” In so doing,

capable of contributing to massive constructive change by energizing

she has become a student of the human condition, and after a few

what is best in humanity.

more years of study one especially suited to help us all be better at being ourselves.

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

CLASS OF 2016

ISAIAH ROBERT WASHINGTON

JAIME TYLER YRASTORZA WITH HIGH HONORS

University of Pennsylvania

University of California, San Diego

Isaiah has the grace of Fred Astaire and the

A letter about Jaime this fall began, “Jaime

creamy soulful voice of Ray Charles. He

Yrastorza is the kid you hope your child

glides from interaction to interaction or

will date in college.” He is kind, respectful,

endeavor to endeavor with seamless agility

endearingly well-mannered, and endlessly

and consummate poise. And especially

engaging. His natural sense of propriety

when he sings, we are transfixed. He has set

is balanced by profound natural curiosity

records on our football field, set standards in

and a searing intellect. Indeed, Jaime is the

our choir, and left an indelible imprimatur

personification of fully optimized cognition,

in our community. The inclination to be

which may well be why he is the most

both teacher and student is nicely balanced

sought after tutor in the school. Actually,

in Isaiah, leading him not simply to scholarship but to the facilitation

students flock to Jaime for all manner of reasons, the unifying theme

of our community dialogue, to a measurement of history, and to the

being that they need help. If Jaime chooses to do something, more

hopes we have for the future. He is, as one faculty member observed,

often than not he’ll ultimately do it better than anyone we have

“magnetic,” and he uses that very virtue to lead us all in the best and

encountered. Just ask him something in Chinese or get him to explain

most responsible directions. Isaiah noted once to his choir director,

a biological principle and you’ll see what we mean. Better yet, ask him

who was concerned about the lead in a particular song, “Don’t worry.

what’s special about everyone else and you’ll understand the generous

I got this.” Yes, he surely does.

genius of your ideal future son-in-law.

OLIVER ISELIN WELCH

LAUREN STILLWATER ZAHM WITH HONORS

Tufts University

Barnard College

Oliver is full of complementary virtues,

We have relied on Lauren since her freshman

inclinations, and aptitudes. He is at once

year to be older than she is, the voice of

humble and ambitious, exceedingly kind and

reason even when it would be easier to be

powerfully competitive, artfully creative and

otherwise, a mature touchstone for classmates

highly disciplined. Deductive and intuitive,

and teachers. Her clarity of purpose led one

Oliver sees as much meaning in scholarly

teacher to note that “Lauren’s middle name

inquiry as he does in personal interactions

could very well be ‘tenacity.’” But her actual

and team pursuits. Athletics are a response to

one is far more appropriate, for it speaks to

that physical restlessness within him and the

Lauren’s depth, her almost tranquil ability

opportunity to use his strength and agility

to access her best thinking, and the gentle

in productive ways. His musicianship is a celebration of interactions

character of her influence on this community. Naturally inclined

between people and a form of expression. And his many friendships

to service, Lauren has optimized that inclination at Cate, serving

follow from the commitment he maintains to the folks who surround

as a teaching assistant and big sibling and giving expression to a

him. Even the out-of-doors, where Oliver may be most at home,

philosophy that she herself articulates: “Power comes from creating

speaks to the contemplative side of a young man who relishes the

your own perception of yourself.” The key is what you do with that

opportunity to think deeply, to act with conviction, and to live with

knowledge. And that’s where Lauren seems to have all the answers.

energy and joy.

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2 3

4

COMMENCEMENT THROUGH THE LENS 1. Faculty congratulate the graduating class in a traditional receiving line. 2. Emotions run high as students say farewell to beloved teachers and friends. 3. Ben Williams congratulates graduate Makena Fetzer on receiving the Headmaster's Cup. 4. Senior girls exchange laughs and hugs in the Johnson Library prior to the Commencement ceremony.

5. Senior Ryan Cain peers through the Johnson Library window to speak to family and friends. 6. Senior advisor Shannon Desgrosiellier helps the senior boys put on their boutonnieres. 7. Jaime Yrastorza and Jessica Liou share the honor of receiving the Dohrman Pischel '14 Medal. 8. Proud parents move to the aisle to get a photograph of their graduating senior.

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5

7

6

8

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Departing Faculty MEG BRADLEY Meg Bradley, Assistant

years with Wendi and we wish her and her family well in the next chapter of their lives.

Headmaster for External Affairs, leaves Cate after

ASPEN GOLANN

18 years to head the

Aspen rolled onto

Santa Catalina School in

the Mesa last year like a

Monterey. See her full

wave, bringing with her

departure citation under

all the artistic energy and

Servons Award in the

innovative know-how to

Awards section on page 18.

fuel our evolving program.

She got right to work, too, transforming our foundation arts curriculum

WENDI BUTLER

with her colleagues and

Wendi Butler jumped in to life at Cate with both feet. She and her husband, Dean, and their son, Benjamin, made a home in Long House five years ago.

Having come from a career in public schools, Wendi was no stranger to hard work. And she hasn’t let up one iota since she came to Cate. She remodeled the Long House common room after her first year and served as dorm head this year, her no-nonsense motherly approach distinguishing her interaction with each boy.

She also built what is now a robust Scuba Club, arranging for a series of dives and scuba certifications that have opened up new worlds of explorative adventures for our students.

But neither scuba nor residential life were the driving forces that brought her to Cate. No, she came to teach Biology and to build on the success of what has always been a revered and highly subscribed program. And her touch has been conspicuous. As she did with our scuba program, she has enabled her students to take advantage of the natural environment, participating in a nationwide DNA barcoding initiative on the reefs and in the kelp forests of the Central Coast. She managed to turn fishing into good science, which sure increases the appeal of science for me! It has for others as well and has contributed to a legacy of the very hands-on science that contributes to lasting learning. It has been a pleasure for all of us to share this Mesa these last five 54

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

re-scaling and re-focusing our advanced electives. Her contact time with students over the last two years has been nothing short of remarkable. She has shepherded our fledgling varsity art program, worked with seniors to build and photograph their portfolios, guided and inspired our visual artists, and contributed to a significant step forward in arts education. Ideas compel Aspen in the very best ways, and she uses her creativity and insight to build practical solutions and powerful pedagogy. Though her tenure at Cate has been short in duration, it has been long on impact. She has also brought us refreshing personality, great conviction about education and schools, and the inclination to do things well and completely. Aspen gives every part of herself to her work, which is exactly why she is so effective. Certainly the worlds of art and education will feel and be responsive to her captivating and forceful presence in the years ahead.

PATTI JUDSON

JIM MASKER

Patti has been mother to

For 27 years, Jim Masker

us all ever since she took over

has been that remarkable

leadership of the Health Center

combination of innovator and

and adopted an active role in

implementer. So many of our

the dormitories, educating

strategic efforts bear his stamp:

students on everything from

global studies, Round Square,

nutrition to sleep habits to

the Cate Summer Institutes,

healthy lifestyles. Tough

Spring Week, Outings Week,

enough to compel our best but

Model UN, Cate in China,

kind enough to know when

not to mention the curricular

we needed help, Patti proved

innovations that distinguish

to be just the caregiver we all needed. And she managed everything

his teaching. He is one of those remarkable people who can dream

else with equal grace, too. She transformed our communication and

big and still handle the logistics required to achieve their aspirations.

health maintenance systems, built policies and protocols to meet

Details are as second nature to Jim as ideas, which is why we have

the needs of students and families, and broadened and deepened

always trusted him to guide that which is new at Cate. Jim himself

the services available at the Health Center. During her tenure as

seems to enjoy such challenges, likes the variety of the work, revels

Director of Health Services, Patti even managed to go back to school,

in doing something better. And he has the work ethic to support

earning her certification as a family nurse practitioner. She did so in

his great ambition. His students and advisees in particular attest

large part so that she could more effectively and efficiently serve the

to Jim’s never-ending attention to their needs. He is the first to

students entrusted to her care. No one, in fact, who partners with

volunteer to help and the last to leave after a long day. He must

Patti has anything but effusive praise for her judgment, her conduct,

survive on a miniscule amount of sleep, for his emails are often sent

her care, or her teaching. That is in fitting contrast to Patti herself,

when everyone else is sleeping. That, too, is when he is prepping

who is always her own harshest critic. Even her departure from

his classes or communicating with a Round Square representative

Cate was something she preferred to handle quietly, believing that

in some other part of the world, or imagining some new program or

she did not merit the community’s attention and praise. Nothing

means of instruction. In truth, Jim is the personification of the best

could be farther from the truth. Understated as she is, Patti’s work

teaching virtues. He always puts the students first, never gives in

speaks volumes. And though we are deeply sorry to see her go,

to inertia, and is constantly refining and augmenting his skills. Cate

we appreciate that she leaves us to care for her own family and the

has been distinguished for nearly three decades by his remarkable

multitude of grandchildren who are arriving. No one is better suited

commitment. And he leaves us not to hang up his spurs, but to

to the work ahead than Patti, and no one else could have done the job

sharpen them further in his adopted home state of Montana. There

she did so marvelously these last ten years.

amidst the never-ending mountains and the endless sky, he will fit right in: a larger-than-life fellow looking to push the possibilities of education ever further.

FACULTY AND STAFF ANNIVERSARIES 5 Years Rebekah Barry Jacob Block Shannon Desgrosiellier Monica Furmanski Chris Giles Shyla Jones

Sarah Kidwell Taylor Wyatt Margot Dorion Jose Jesus Ortega 10 Years Mamadou Pouye

15 Years Lynn Dinning Lisa Holmes Will Holmes Molly Krill Schlesinger Ranulfo Mora Gwendolyn Pierce

20 Years Jose Luis Estrada

30 Years Esteban Samaguey

25 Years Lauren Jared Sandi Pierce

40 Years Jose Vega

W W W. CATE . O R G

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

Alumni children and their Junior Camp Cate counselors gather on the Kirby Quadrangle.

W W W. CATE . O R G

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CAMP CATE 2016

Camp Cate 2016 welcomed alumni back to the Mesa on Friday, June 10 for a weekend full of friends, fun, and special moments that forever evoke that sense of coming “home.” Generations of classmates from 1951 to 2011 were elated at the chance to re-join one another, celebrating old memories and creating new ones.

An apropos way to start the weekend,

33rd annual Mesa Race. A refreshing start to

Archivist Ginger Williams and Archivist

and members of the Cate Alumni Parent

what would be a jam-packed day, the course

Emerita Betty Woodworth kicked off Camp

group over a bounty of hors d’oeuvres and

wound its way through our scenic campus;

Cate by inviting alumni to take a look back.

drinks. It was a gorgeous, clear evening;

and victorious on the other end were Maggie

Visitors pored over old photographs and

and as a coastal breeze wafted through

Peard (daughter of Trevor Peard '66 and the

Mesan yearbooks, swapping stories of eras

the eucalyptus trees, Headmaster Ben

overall winner) and Gregory Mak '11 (top

passed and, as could be overheard, “painting

Williams set the tone for re-connection and

male finisher).

a picture of place” with a trip down

recollection. Thoughts and remarks turned

memory lane.

Led by Student Alumni Association

to two special, longtime faculty members

members Hannah Jorgensen '16 and

The arrival of freshly prepared tacos

who are leaving us: Jim Masker and Meg

Morgan Prinz '17, the Mesa tour offered

from a foodie-favorite spot in Oxnard – a

Bradley. Both will very much be missed,

further chances to once again appreciate

new feature this year, and a smash hit –

and this sentiment was echoed throughout

the splendor of Cate, as well as discover

heralded the beginning of the Mesa House

the weekend.

reception. As alumni children grabbed

58

own, their parents gathered with faculty

A little June gloom settled in on

their tacos and headed off to the Hitchcock

Saturday morning but couldn’t dampen

Theater for a little Friday night fun of their

the spirits of those who participated in the

CATE BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

new gems, like the Class of 1985 House Admission Building.

The discoveries continued in the Johnson Library, during which plans for

C A M P C AT E

the School’s future – including a new

No matter what side of the court they

Field for their individual reunion dinners.

dining commons and student center – were

were on, alumni flashed school pride and

The Nelson Jones '48 Stables Courtyard

enthusiastically discussed as part of the

busted out their Cate gear, thanks to the

then beckoned everyone back together again

Alumni Leadership Council meeting.

new student store. The Blue Ewe was a

for a little Saturday Night Fever, Camp

Ben Williams talked of his delight in the

favorite spot during the weekend, as what

Cate-style. Dessert and dancing meant

opportunity for these projected changes

used to be known as the Day Room is

alumni got their groove on while savoring

to enhance both the character of our

now a space transformed into all things

the legendary and universally loved Muffet’s

community and the spirit of the Cate

blue and white. A special plaque hangs

Tuffets! And for those with energy still to

experience. It is an experience that only

outside the door, chronicling the Blue Ewe

burn, along with the midnight oil, there was

continues to get better, as the diversity of the

renovations as a gift of the Class of 1976 in

a 1’s vs. 6’s late-night game of dodgeball in

student body grows, along with our Inquiry

its 40 th reunion year; and it was here that

the Fleischmann Gymnasium.

program – all working together, as Williams

a group of '76ers gathered for an intimate

said, to create an organic integration of

dedication ceremony (and, of course, some

again” – but nothing could be farther from

people and place.

Cate retail therapy).

the truth when it comes to the Mesa. Some

As parents learned more about what’s

The afternoon also presented a chance

It is often said that “you can’t go home

faraway visitors had to take the long way

on the horizon for Cate, alumni kids were

to remember and honor schoolmates and

home; some merely had to jump their own

enjoying Junior Camp Cate’s array of

faculty no longer with us. Held in the

backyards. For a few alumni, this was their

exciting activities. They tapped into their

Katharine Thayer Cate Memorial Chapel,

first ever Camp Cate experience, “bringing it

creative side with arts and crafts, scaled

the Camp Cate Memorial Service paid

back full circle,” as one candidly put it.

obstacles and the climbing wall with Paul

homage to those recently passed, in part

Denison '79, and explored the various

with a performance of original music by

thank all who came for making this year’s

pockets of campus during a Mesa-wide

Mike Dewberry '71.

Camp Cate such a meaningful success

scavenger hunt.

Day soon turned to evening, marked

However you got here, we want to

for all. We hope you left feeling renewed,

by a reception at the Class of 1985 House,

and a little nostalgic; and we hope you

offered the perfect clime for more outdoor

where Ben Williams invited all reunion

will encourage your fellow schoolmates

fun. Outdoors Program Director Peter

classes to join him for appetizers, drinks, and

to make their way back next year. The

Bonning led 35 hikers up to Bee Camp,

merriment. A twilight fog descended upon

dates are already set for June 9-11, 2017.

The cloud cover stuck around, but

while others savored a dose of healthy

the Mesa, but the warmth of laughter and

So 2’s and 7’s – get ready! We can’t wait to

competition during alumni tennis matches

memories shared kept spirits high as alumni

welcome you “home.”

and pick-up games of squash and basketball.

migrated to Mesa House and Thayer Peck

Camp Cate attendees, faculty, and friends gather at Mesa House on the first evening of the reunion weekend.

W W W. CATE . O R G

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1. Skye Ochsner Margolies '91 catches up with a classmate at Mesa House. 2. Alumni enjoy a view from Sunset Bench prior to the Mesa House reception on Friday. 3. Alumni parent Tim MacMurray and former faculty member Barbara Bartok greet one another after many years.

4. From left: Anne Warjone Bridgeland ’86, Jean Whelan Pettigrew ’86, and Blake O’Neill ’86 catch up at Mesa House. 5. From left: John Wood ’56, Pete Ruch ’56, and Marcella Ruch at the Sunset Reception. 6. From left: Pilar Woodman ’86, Chloe Drake Martin ’86, Blake O’Neill ’86, and Griffin O’Neill at Mesa House. 7. Alumni children and their Junior Camp Cate counselors gather on the Kirby Quadrangle. 8. Members of the Class of 1971 salute Betty Woodworth at the Headmaster’s Sunset Reception. From left: Mike Dewberry ’71, Betty Woodworth, Rob Davila ’71, Jay Caldwell ’71, David Cury ’71, and Charles McConney ’71. 9. From left: Jamie Haight ’11, Addison Mayfield ’11, Annelies Northup ’11, Kate Donahue ’11, Hilary Williamson ’11, and Julia Paley ’11 celebrate their 5-year reunion.

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5

9 7

8

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C A M P C AT E

1956 From left: David Young, Pete Ruch, John Wood, Tony Hooker, John Arens

1961 From left: Jim Munroe, Aubrey Bartlett, Marty Dodge, Rodney Tompkins, Former Faculty Mike Holmes, Doug Raymond (not pictured: John Diamante)

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C A M P C AT E

1966 From left: Stuart Taylor, Richard Siegel, Alec Walker, Ian A.W. Bonner, John Fiske, Trevor Peard, Terry Simmons, Kenneth Miller, Jeffrey Jennings, John Nelson

1971

1976

First row from left: William Rydell, David Cury, Betty Woodworth, Steve Parkford, Haluk Topaloglu Middle row from left: Charles McConney, Jay Caldwell, Mike Dewberry, James Sheldon Back row from left: Jeff Hayes, James Miles, Bill Andrews, Stephen Winans, Rob Davila

First row from left: Fentress Hill, Samuel Dacus. Arden Kwong, James McFall, Sebastian Man Middle row from left: Malcolm Wallop, Pierson Hamilton, David Sell, Mark Wilson, Michael Slater Back row from left: Juan Salcedo, Steven Goldenberg, David Powell, Richard Lewis, Ben Sillins, Rick Rasmussen

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C A M P C AT E

1981 First row from left: Bill Minkler, Joey Costa, Sten Kremer, Rod Turner, Doug Niven, Jeff Phipps Middle row from left: Andy Meyer, Jon Martin, Jonathan Fletcher, William Hay, John Warner, Randy Putz Back row from left: Christopher Cuse, Nelson Jones, Jr., John Stevenson, Blake Jones

1986 First row from left: Blair Elliott Paige, Christina McLeod Murray, Lorraine Jordan, Kimberly Billings Clark, Cara Miller Christensen, Chloe Drake Martin, Clodine Mallinckrodt Middle row from left: Michelle Fontaine, Anne Warjone Bridgeland, Richard Marks, Margot Kramer Biehle, Katie Henry Gray, Pilar Woodman, Jean Pettigrew Whelan Back row from left: Ted Simpson, Dave Nalchajian, Stuart Gildred, Brian Yager, Mike Niven, Anders O’Keefe, Blake O’Neill

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C A M P C AT E

1991 First row from left: Susan Pearson, Matthew Schwartz, Skye Ochsner Margolies, Anamarie Huerta Franc, Tina Abbott Wainwright, Sally Peckenpaugh Bartz, Wendy Yanagihara, Michelle Homme, Peggy Brewer Rogers, James Henry Middle row from left: Michael Jean, Kimberly Mynatt, Amanda Clark Happle, Cedar Morrow Anderson, Joshua Gordon, Andrei Massenkoff, Zach Warren, Amanda Starr, Adam Fleck, Andrew Bauer Back row from left: Eugene Hong, Maya Van Putten, Oliver Paine, Till Falke, JP Nelson, Chris Olness, Nathan Rogers, Dennis Phelps, Jeff Lamkin, Conan Laughlin, Jim Black

1996 First row from left: Eric Buchanan, Brian Lee, Aravind Chandrashekar Back row from left: Jake Wallace Lindelof, Gregory Lemmons, Daniel Cherry

W W W. CATE . O R G

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2001

2006

First row from left: Chatom Arkin, Rachel Baum Vranich, Mattie Brickman, Isobel Lincoln Back row from left: George Hulley, Jackie Haskell, Laura Oliver McElhinney

First row from left: Sarah Fulton-Koerbling, Claire Keneally Middle row from left: Chaka Jaliwa, Jesse Glass, Emmy Haskett, Emily Mehta Farlow Back row from left: Andrew Maloney, Cory Garrett, Nicholas Sawaya, Osas Obizamomwan, Sebastian Vollering, Courtney Phillips, Hayden Fulstone, Emma Morton-Smith

2011 First row from left: Lukas Ferrer, Hilary Williamson, Kate Donahue, Addison Mayfield, Jamie Haight, Julia Paley, Sarah Park Middle row from left: Leon Scheonfeld, Won Chung, Harry Gruner, George Luo, Annelies Northup, Brendan Griffin Lyddon Back row from left: Michael Hassman, Budi Sosrodjojo, Kyler Jae, Gregory Mak, Mackie Greason (not pictured: Houston Bradley, Max Davis, Abby Killea)

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E N DPAG E

The Running of the Rams

Runners of all ages set the 33rd Annual Mesa Race in motion.

It was a Carpinteria June morning familiar to all Cate grads. The gloom was thick and palpable, clinging to the twenty individuals gathered on Parsonage Lawn. While many of their classmates at this year’s Camp Cate were just beginning to roll out of extralong twin beds and stagger towards the coffee station, the runners of the 33rd Annual Mesa Race stood undaunted against both the morning fog and the effects of the previous night’s abundant libations. Some were in good spirits and ready to run the two-mile course; others decided on the more leisurely option – a one-mile guided walk.

A hardy group of 2011s – Jamie Haight, Gregory Mak, and Brendan Griffin Lyddon – pulled classmate Michael Hassman out of bed and to the starting line. There, they joined the assembled group of grads and faculty, and listened to math teacher 76

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and running guru Tim Smith outline the updated course. Smith explained that the new course highlights the construction of recent years, including the new location of the barns and the aquatics center. The four recent grads, not so long removed from the Mesa’s trails, finished at the head of the pack, with Mak taking first for the men.

The original idea for the Mesa Race came from George Barrett ’45, who participated during the first fifteen years in which it was held. Terry Eagle served as the official for the inaugural race, before passing the baton to Karl Weis, who then passed it to Smith. Eagle recalls one unnamed alumnus faculty member who was roused by runners as he lay asleep on the soccer pitch during his own Camp Cate weekend.

The competitive spirit overcame the grad-turned-teacher and he joined in, finishing first, barefoot.

The winner of this year’s Mesa Race was the daughter of Trevor Peard ’66, Maggie Peard. She finished with a time of 12:57 and was later joined at the finish line by her father. Maggie, who is a rising senior (and a runner) at Williams College, said of her second Camp Cate experience and her first Mesa Race, “It was really fun to see where my dad went to school for four years and to get a little taste of that.” While the elder Peard also enjoyed the course, he said his favorite part of Camp Cate was, as always, seeing his classmates. Now having attended his fourth Camp Cate, Peard has witnessed the campus transform over the years. At his own graduation, Cate’s enrollment was less than half what is now. “It amazes me how much the school has grown and yet maintained exactly the same feel of that little place.”

-Joe Gottwald '10

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS

LIFE TRUSTEES

TRUSTEES

Greg H. Kubicek '74 Chairman Vancouver, WA

Richard D. Baum '64 Kenwood, CA

Ashish Bhutani Greenwich, CT

James F. Crafts, Jr. San Mateo, CA

Mimi Brown '92 Hong Kong

Dan A. Emmett '99 Santa Monica, CA

Thomas J. Cusack Santa Barbara, CA

George B. James San Francisco, CA

Kate C. Firestone Solvang, CA

Nelson D. Jones '48 San Marino, CA

Stephen J. Giusto '80 Laguna Beach, CA

Monique F. Parsons '84 President Chicago, IL Henry F. Burroughs '68 Vice President Jackson, WY J. Wyatt Gruber '93 Treasurer San Francisco, CA Benjamin D. Williams IV Secretary/Headmaster Carpinteria, CA

David Horowitz Irvine, CA Frank A. Huerta '85 Santa Barbara, CA Jack Jackson '95 Fresno, CA

Sebastian Man '76 Hong Kong

Annalee Salcedo Faculty/Mathematics Chair

Sheila Marmon '90 Culver City, CA

EX-OFFICIO STAFF

Michele Martin Santa Barbara, CA

Margaret Bradley Assistant Head, External Affairs

J.C. Massar Pasadena, CA

Charlotte Brownlee '85 Director of Admission

Casey McCann '97 Santa Barbara, CA

Jay Dorion Assistant Headmaster

Edward R. Simpson '86 Los Angeles, CA

Lisa Holmes Director of Studies

Marianne Sprague Santa Barbara, CA

Peter Mack Director of Residential Life

Lisa Stanson '92 Newport Beach, CA

Sandi Pierce Assistant Head, Finance & Operations

Eric C. Taylor '80 Los Angeles, CA

Palmer Jackson, Jr. '82 Santa Barbara, CA Janet C. Jones Santa Monica, CA

FACULTY ADVISORY TRUSTEES Joshua Caditz Faculty/Science

José Powell Director of Multiculturalism Bryan Rodriguez Dean of Students

CATE SCHOOL 1960 Cate Mesa Road Post Office Box 5005 Carpinteria, CA 93014-5005

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Santa Barbara, CA Permit #1020