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
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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