Cate School 2017 Summer Bulletin

CATE Summer 2017

Editor Sarah Kidwell Design Phillip Collier Design Studio Copy Editor Jeff Barton Class Notes Editor Andrew MacDonnell Student Editors Serena Soh ‘17 Annie Lu ‘17 Photographers Ashleigh Mower, Hanna Yamamoto

Headmaster Benjamin D. Williams IV Assistant Headmaster, External Affairs Charlotte Brownlee ‘85 Director of Marketing and Communications Sarah Kidwell Multimedia Coordinator Ashleigh Mower Communications Assistant Joe Gottwald ’10 Archivist Ginger Williams Director of Advancement Lindsay Newlove Cate Fund Director Colin Donovan Director of Alumni Relations Andrew MacDonnell Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving Chris Giles 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

70

CLASS NOTES

81 IN MEMORIAM 84 ENDPAGE

THE 104TH COMMENCEMENT During a bright and warm Sunday Commencement, sixty-seven seniors strolled arm in arm to receive their diplomas as the Class of 2017.

23 CUM LAUDE ADDRESS

The Journey Ahead William Choi '05

26 BACCALAUREATE ADDRESSES

Eva Herman '17, Joel Revo '17 and A Daring Adventure by Athena Jones ‘94

34 THE CLASS OF 2017

3 INVOCATION

Emilie Griffin

4 HEADMASTER'S ADDRESS

The Kid He Remains Ben Williams

7 FACULTY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Trust Your Instruments

Stephanie Yeung

In a Commencement tradition, Headmaster

Ben Williams gathers observations, teacher

and advisor comments, and campus lore to

craft a “literary snapshot” of each senior.

54 COMMENCEMENT THROUGH THE LENS 56 TRANSITIONS: DEPARTING FACULTY 60 CAMP CATE 2017

10 STUDENT COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

The Final Carp Gem Francesco Duffy-Boscagli '17

14 2016/2017 AWARDS

Front Cover: Seconds from receiving his diploma, Musa Hakim '17 enjoys a laugh during the reading of his senior citation by Headmaster Ben Williams. Photo by: Hanna Yamamoto

Soon-to-be alumnae Amber Thiery, Halie Straathof, Grace Sahani, and Lila Dressler are all smiles before the 104th Commencement ceremony.

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

In what must have been a much shorter Commencement ceremony, the Class of 1924 graduated eleven senior boys.

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I N VO C AT ION

Invocation May 28, 2017 Good morning.

Seniors: you’ve made it. Your coursework is complete, your rooms are packed (or close to it, we hope), your yearbooks are signed, your families have arrived, and the moment has come for your last official Cate event. Friends, family, teachers, students, alumni, and trustees are all here to celebrate your collective achievements as the Class of 2017. So take a deep breath. Relax your shoulders. Sink a little deeper into your seats. Your most important goal for this morning is to fully experience and enjoy each moment.

We are here because we care deeply about these young men and women. For faculty and students, these seniors have been an integral and influential part of our lives during their time here. Families have grown to care not just about their own graduate but also for the friends they’ve made, who have become like family. These ties now bind us together in ways we will continue to discover. In the words of Maya Angelou, “We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable.

It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends, and living our lives.” As you sit and listen to speeches and accolades, stories and memories, immerse yourselves in what you are hearing; fully experience the moment and absorb this celebration of you before it, too, becomes a memory or a story retold.

Emilie Griffin English Teacher, Director of Financial Aid

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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

The Kid He Remains HEADMASTER'S COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY BEN WILLIAMS Trustees, parents, friends, colleagues, students, and of course soon-to-be graduates – we are all here to honor a moment – many moments, actually – whose significance is contained not in this ceremony, but in each of you. We tend to measure life in benchmarks we achieve – a high school diploma being a principal and relevant one today. But the diploma is just a symbol, really. It means to everyone else that you have completed a course of study, but I imagine it will mean something different to each of you. Something personal: a series of memories, as Aparna noted a few weeks ago, to remind each of you who you are and where you have been.

I am not so far removed from that same

thinking now of the holes in your socks or

him. It was ours. It was what mature people

journey that I can’t recall what it felt like.

blankets that were apparently chewed by

did … or so I assumed. And nobody else saw

It’s a funny thing, though, about growing

moths, or by the caterpillars that become

what we saw.

older. No matter how far along we get or

moths. There is a reason, I suppose, they call

how many credentials we receive, we are still

those pungently scented insecticides “moth

way to collect them is to put out a light. In

always the kids we were first. I say that not

balls.” But that does a bit of a disservice to

our case, we would mount a white sheet on

to diminish your achievement today or your

my father’s avocation.

a wall, hang an ultraviolet or mercury vapor

maturity. You have earned the distinction we

lamp in front of it – because those are the

are about to bestow upon you. But you must

species of moths whose larvae have

brightest types of illumination – and then

not race away from your life’s beginnings too

absolutely no interest in textiles, most

wait for the moths to come. Sometimes

quickly. There is too much there still that

of which we never see because they are

we would sit before the light as they came

will help to make you who you will be.

nocturnal. Many are incredibly colorful;

flying in, talking through the night to pass

When I was a boy, significantly

they come in every size and shape, from

the time. At other times we would check

younger than all of you are right now, I was

as small as the head of a pin to the size of

the light before we went to bed, then set

consumed with eagerness to grow up. I had

a watermelon. There is a moth that can be

the alarm at 3:00 am and check it again.

many models, of course, but it was to my

found in the Caribbean, in fact, called a

Generally, when a moth comes to a light it

father that I looked not so much for guidance

White Witch, whose wingspan is so large it

stays there, so there is no real rush to capture

– because none of us at any age want to be

looks like it could easily fly away with the

the little buggers. And light, at least for

told what to do – but for an example to

family pet.

most moths, has a hypnotic effect. They are

follow. He was my archetype, so I did what he did, generally.

Though Dad was an educator by trade,

4

There are literally millions of different

Because moths fly at night, the only

Thankfully, there are no carnivorous moths, so your dogs and cats are safe. Moths are nectar feeders if they feed at all. And my

literally entranced by it, traveling sometimes great distances to land on our sheet.

You may know of this phenomenon

he devoted the vast majority of his time

father loved them. So … I loved them too,

from the electrified bug zappers that some

away from work to collecting moths. Yes,

maybe not as much as my dad, but I got a

people use to eradicate biting insects. These

you heard me right. Most of you are probably

certain thrill from sharing that interest with

lamps are indiscriminate killers, luring both

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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

hostile mosquitoes and unsuspecting moths to their fiery ends. If you ever wondered if there is somebody out there who is actually on the bugs’ side at such moments, look no farther than my father. But I digress.

Like me, my father began this admittedly peculiar hobby when he was just a boy. He was not following in a parent’s footsteps, though. He simply came to his interest of his own accord. There

The people I love and respect most in this world are the ones whose adulthood has not somehow replaced their childhood… the Lepidopterist’s Journal.

It’s lowbush blueberry by the way. The foodplant. I just knew you were curious.

I was in on the discovery, of course,

Charleston, South Carolina, where Dad’s experience with snakes came in particularly handy. And we relished the wildest places on this continent. The fewer the people

are stories, in fact, that come from my

though I didn’t have a degree or anything

around, the larger the population of

grandmother about my father’s propensity

official like that. I was only eight. Dad didn’t

moths, which may be the basis for my next

to “collect” a variety of living creatures. On

have one either – at least not focused on

Commencement speech.

one memorable occasion, she grabbed his

bugs, botany, biology, ecology, or anything

laundry bag just after Dad returned with it

relevant to his avocation. By training he

last summer in Montana. Dad knew of a

from boarding school, only to discover as she

was an anthropologist, but I doubt that was

campground high in the Crazy Mountains

dumped what she thought was laundry on

much help with the moths.

where we might find a small Arctiid called

Our most recent trip occurred just

the washroom floor that the clothing in the

There are millions of Latin names,

bag was there to make a home for the dozen

species and genuses, and Dad knows them all

doesn’t it? Believe it or not, you may be

or so snakes Dad had managed to catch. Dad

by heart. For a while, I assumed that is what

aware of this family of moths. “Arctia”

claims he can still recall the tone and volume

it meant not simply to be an adult but to be

comes from the Greek word “artes” meaning

of his mother’s screams when those snakes

a father – to know the name of every living

“bear.” The caterpillars from this family of

hit the floor.

creature on this earth including – maybe

moths are the brown and black furry fellows

The “reptile phase” passed, thankfully,

“Neoarctia beani.” It sounds very impressive,

especially – the critters very few others even

commonly called “woolly bears.” Clearly

but Dad’s interest in moths never did. By

know exist. In hindsight, I’m not sure there

there is something in a name. But again, I

the time I came along and was anointed

is a better model for a kid growing up or a

digress.

deputy moth collector, my father was

more productive conception of adulthood.

Dad and I managed to get to this

already a phenomenon in the world of

To be able to name something, as my father

campsite, clear an area in the grass, and set

entomologists – the official name for bug

does, is a way of respecting that very thing,

up a light that we ran off a car battery. We

guys. He had written for publications – yes,

of giving it dignity and identity. Not many

did see a few people at the campground,

there are scholarly journals for this stuff

people do that even for their fellow man.

all of whom looked at us rather quizzically

– corresponded with fellow bug guys all

Dad does it for everything, even bugs.

but seemed wary of approaching. We’re

over the world, and had built a collection

Ever intrepid, Dad arranged a series

sort of used to that, and their caution is

that would ultimately be coveted by the

of “bug trips” every year and I often went

understandable. Let’s just say that the

University of Connecticut, where Dad

with him. We travelled all over the country,

community of bug people contains more

currently works as a volunteer.

always to the most remote possible locations

than its share of unusual characters, one of

in search of various species of moths. We

whom so worried my wife when she met

discovered the food plant for the larva

sprinted through sagebrush in Mesita,

him that she quickly pulled my dad aside

of Hemaris gracilis, a slender clearwing

Colorado, which offered me my first

and argued rather vehemently that “you

sphingid easily confused with a bumble bee,

exposure to both heat stroke and altitude

should not go anywhere with that man!”

that Dad put on the map with his article in

sickness. We waded through swamps near

Dad did, of course, and lived to tell the tale.

There, he is known as the guy who

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

But Ginger remains wary.

We survived the night in Montana, too, despite a pounding thunderstorm that pulverized most of the moths on our sheet and drove us into the truck around 3:00 am to wait out the storm. No bug trip is ever uneventful. And on this particular night, despite the rain, we actually got the moth we were looking for. And remember what I said earlier about always being the kids we once were? Well, you should have seen my 80-year-old father when he spotted Neoarctia beani. Zora Neale Hurston famously writes towards the end of Their Eyes Were Watching God, “Here was joy.” She might well have been seeing my father in that moment.

You could even argue that moths saved

just big kids doing the things they loved.

always been clear to me what he loves. And

my dad’s life. When my mother succumbed

They still are, even now in their eighth and

in that loving – even in loving moths – he

to cancer, he lost the partner who had, even

ninth decades.

reveals something generous and playful not

more than his remarkable hobbies, defined

I have wondered often what to do with

simply about the man he has always been

and enriched his life. My brothers and I

that knowledge. I run a school. Growing up

– at least as long as I’ve been around – but

could never imagine Dad without Mom

is my business. And yet, I am conflicted.

about the kid he remains. I hope and trust

until we had to. And yet even amidst that

The people I love and respect most in this

not only that you have such people in each

loss, certain forces kept Dad on track, and

world are the ones whose adulthood has

of your lives but that you become such

one of them was that community of people

not somehow replaced their childhood,

models for the many who will surely look to

who loved moths and loved him. They could

whose lives are as rich in personal interest

you. Already your peers and those you have

not replace my mother, but they gave him

and initiative as they are in professional

mentored this year are watching. A great

something to do, someone to do it with,

accomplishment, and, perhaps most

many more will do the same in the coming

some momentum to get him past the abyss

importantly, who find value in life and living

years. What will they see in you? Will they

of grief he could easily have fallen into.

things well beyond their own existence.

know what you love or why?

The first bug guy that I ever met

With all due respect to our present

was named Herman Fleschka, a professor

acknowledge a milestone today. But maybe

ceremony, maybe the milestones that

at Georgia Tech, who tried to teach me

we need to see what’s next not as a linear

truly matter are the ones that reveal us in

calculus when I was nine and called my dad

path but as a series of concentric circles

the maelstrom as distinct, different, and

“Bean.” “It’s German for Ben,” he said, when

or parabola that take us both forward and

worthy of note and memory. Like a night

he caught me looking confused.

backward, that remind us of the things that

at the light when my father and I sat down

fill us up, and encourage us to take them

together to enjoy the company of this world

to those people who were my “grown-up”

with us – not just people and memories, but

and its winged inhabitants. If I wish you

archetypes as a child, the ones I really knew

interests, affections, pastimes, and hobbies.

anything beyond this Mesa, it is that you

It’s funny, but when I think back now

like my dad, or even Dr. Fleschka, they were 6

As we agreed when I began this talk, we

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

My father is my hero because it has

know such moments.

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

Trust Your Instruments FACULTY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY STEPHANIE YEUNG When that happens for too long, the body experiences a G-LOC, or a Gravity Induced Loss of Consciousness.

In preparation for my role as a Weapons Systems Officer, or navigator, in an F-15E “Strike Eagle,” I had to prove I could stay conscious while experiencing high levels of gravitational force, commonly called Gs. Gs intensify the effects of gravity, and are essentially an amplified version of the sensation you feel when you do a tight turn in a fast car or ride a rollercoaster. Each aircraft has a specific amount of G-force you have to tolerate to fly it, and for the Strike Eagle, the threshold was 9 Gs. At age 24, I was seaboard. But, just off the exit at mile

5’11” and 150 lbs. This meant that when

hand, recited the oath of enlistment,

marker 207, tucked between the San

pulling 9 Gs, my body felt like it weighed

and joined the United States Air Force. I

Andres and Sacramento mountains, lies

over 1,300 pounds; each arm weighed

wasn’t one of those hoo-rah troops out for

Holloman Air Force Base.

about 70 pounds, and my head weighed

On July 3 2002, I raised my right rd

retribution, but in the months following

As part of the Air Combat

nearly 75. Given those numbers, you

that fateful September, the idea of waking

Command, at the time, Holloman had

can imagine how excited I was for my

up every day for a paycheck didn’t really

stealth fighter planes and drones, and

opportunity to pass the centrifuge.

make sense anymore; working to protect

was home to the Aerospace Physiological

those I love did. That I ended up flying

Training Center. Although military jargon

of 2004, I arrived at Holloman with

jets as a consequence of that realization

tends to make the extraordinary sound

three buddies from flight school, and

was sort of a fluke, but I could handle the

downright dull, this training center was

on a cloudless morning we headed into

science, and didn’t get motion sickness, so

anything but. For inside that unassuming

the centrifuge. When it was my turn to

that’s where the Air Force put me.

brown brick training center was heaven,

test, I repeated the process performed by

and hell, and everything in between.

those who’d gone before me: I put on my

an officer, and learning to fly, I

Inside was a series of bewildering rides in

G-Suit and strapped into the seat. Inside

understood that all of the trials and

a human centrifuge.

the control booth, a physiology technician

As I began the process of becoming

tribulations were meant to mold each of

Although you may have used a

So, during that sweltering summer

described what was about to happen:

us into the perfect Airman, but there are

centrifuge in science, you might not

“This is the Air Combat Maneuvers

some tests along that journey that distill

have spent much time wondering how

Profile: 3 Gs for 10 seconds, 6Gs for 12

you down to your essence. One of mine

rapid spinning affects the human body.

seconds,” back down to 3, up and down

came during the summer of 2004 along

To make a long story short, what looks

again until the final rapid onset of 7.5 Gs

a quiet stretch of U.S. Route 70, in the

awesome in a test tube does not feel

for 12 seconds. I tightened my lower body

hinterlands of New Mexico. The 2,385

awesome. When the human body is

muscles, took a deep breath, and yanked

miles of Route 70 stretch eastward from

spun in a centrifuge, blood rushes to the

back on the control stick. The technician’s

Globe, AZ all the way to the Eastern

extremities, and away from the brain.

tinny voice came over the speaker, 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

coaching me through my anti-G straining

you’re dreaming though, the machine is

maneuvers: “Legs tight, breathe, you’re

gradually slowing down, and the blood

lodging and tried to shower off the shame.

on top, breathe. 1. 2. Breathe. Squeeze

pressure in your brain is beginning to rise.

I pulled off my flight suit and stared at

your legs. Almost there. Breathe.” Unlike

And, though it feels like you’ve traveled

myself in the fluorescent glare of the

life, I had someone narrating the precise

halfway to the Emerald City, roughly 8.2

mirror. As I looked down at my body it

moment when things were going to get

seconds later you wake up thoroughly

looked like I’d been splattered with red

hard. But this wasn’t some Hollywood

confused by your surroundings. Forget

paint. Standing in front of the mirror,

film, where the young protagonist sweats

waking up late for class. It’s one of the

the constellation of ruptured capillaries

bullets, endures an appropriately long

most jarring experiences you could ever

coalesced into the tell-tale patterning

series of setbacks, only to ultimately

imagine. You’re not sure who you are,

of a phenomenon pilots call G-easles,

prevail at the last moment, and come

where you are, and there’s this lingering

because of their likeness to measles. As it

out of the trial looking flawless. I failed

euphoria that is absolutely obliterated by

turns out, even though we can withstand

that test. And the next. And the next. I

the realization that you are still sitting in

exceptionally high levels of pressure, we

G-LOC’d over and over.

that godforsaken seat.

almost always bear signs of what we’ve

Now, the real problem with a

At the end of my third round in the

I went back to my room in base

been through. That day, my capillaries

G-LOC is not that you’ve passed out with

machine, the technician came out to

bore witness to the pain I’d willingly

your skin melting like a Dalí painting, in

check on me, make sure I was drinking

endured to be part of something bigger

front of your friends, who will tease you

water, and ask if I wanted to try again. If

than myself. The next day I went home,

relentlessly, but, rather, that G-LOCs

I had been in that Hollywood film, here’s

and in the days and weeks after, I did lots

produce the best dreams you’ve ever

where the music would have swelled, I

of squats and leg presses to improve the

had in your entire life. I mean, imagine:

would have looked up with determination

anti-G straining maneuvers that worked

You’re spinning around in a glorified tin

in my eyes, playfully tossed my water

to slow the flow of blood away from my

can, willing every muscle in your body

bottle to the young airman, and gotten

brain. And, after my second trip to the

to keep the elephant that’s suddenly

back into the seat to conquer the test.

centrifuge, I passed. None of my friends

sitting on your chest from squeezing the

But this was reality. Defeated, I told

were there to witness it, but I’d done it.

last bit of air from your lungs, when your

the technician I was done. Every other

vision irises out, and boom - like magic,

person testing that day had succeeded.

wasn’t THE test of my military

you’re “over the rainbow,” dreaming “in

Even worse, I had been the only woman

experience. It was just one test

glorious Technicolor.” The whole time

in the room, and I failed.

sandwiched among many others. In

The funny thing is, the centrifuge

fact, right before it, I’d faced the Fighter

…But all of you, at some point, will face a challenge that pushes you to the very limit of your capabilities. And if you have to give it all to get what you want, then take those knocks, scratches, or whatever other marks you earn along the way, and wear them with pride.

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

Air Crew Conditioning Test, and right after, I went to Survival School. Oddly, a week in Survival School was so much easier than staying awake for 90 seconds in the centrifuge. But I guess that’s life.

Our physical bodies will fail us and, occasionally, our intellect will too, but what the centrifuge taught me, and survival school reiterated, was that even our greatest challenges are bearable if they align with our core values.

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

By the fact that I am here this morning, and not somewhere cruising through the “wild blue yonder,” you must already know that, despite my love of this country and of flying, at some point a warning alarm sounded for me somewhere deep inside. Despite what everyone around me was saying, I knew flying wasn’t where I was meant to be.

Harder than the centrifuge, or Survival School, or anything else I had faced to that point, saying “no” to what everyone else told me was a sure thing was the hardest thing I’d ever done. It was the first time in my life I didn’t make a decision based on what I thought I was supposed to do.

After the Air Force, I went back to school and earned my doctorate, and coming out of a research university, we were all expected to land tenure-track jobs You all have shared so much of

at other prominent research universities.

with relative ease. Some of you may come

After an arduous job search, I secured

out of those experiences speckled with

yourselves during your years here on the

the mythical tenure-track assistant

G-easles. But all of you, at some point,

Mesa, and your openness, your sincerity,

professorship. And then came Cate. Cate

will face a challenge that pushes you to

and your willingness to be vulnerable for

forced me to say no again, because Cate

the very limit of your capabilities. And

the sake of connection and community

was everything I never knew to hope

if you have to give it all to get what you

reminds me, each day, of exactly what it

for. Life will do that to you too. So, keep

want, then take those knocks, scratches,

was I enlisted to protect so many years

checking in with yourself to make sure

or whatever other marks you earn along

ago. You all are in our hearts, and are

the steps you are taking are moving you,

the way, and wear them with pride. But

such an immense source of pride, of joy,

intentionally, toward the things that will

remember, the most challenging battle

and of hope – and we can’t wait to see

not only feed your mind but nourish your

you may encounter may pose no real

where you go from here. Congratulations!

soul. So many of the gifts in my life have

“difficulty” at all. When things look good

come from saying no to things others

on paper, it’s easy to just keep driving

Stephanie Yeung teaches English at Cate.

thought were perfect for me, because

down the road you’re already on. That

She holds a Ph.D. in critical media studies

those “Nos” have allowed me to serve

doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right

from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

others in a way that depends upon hopeful

road, or even the best road. I could very

Before her teaching career, Stephanie served

preparation for the future rather than

easily still be flying jets, or doing research

in the United States Air Force as an F-15E

thwarting its potential threats.

at a university, but I wouldn’t be nearly

“Strike Eagle” navigator.

Many of you will pass the tests that come your way the first time you try, and

as happy, or fulfilled, as I have been here, with you.

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The Final Carp Gem STUDENT COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS BY FRANCESCO DUFFY-BOSCAGLI '17 Since my sophomore year I’ve been writing for our school newspaper, El Batidor (or, as we like to call it affectionately, El Bat). My three-year career in journalism began my sophomore year, during which I was placed in the opinion section. I gave Cate my pointed opinions on pressing topics, like our response to the drought and our shortening attention spans. My junior year I moved into news and features, opting to keep my opinions to myself. I wrote teacher interviews and a groundbreaking article about the varsity art program.

But this year I decided to try something completely different. I needed something to freshen up my journalistic portfolio, and the solution was simple: I imposed myself as El Bat’s resident reviewer and created a series of articles I dubbed “Carp Gems.”

Each weekend I would go into the field, explore our little town, and write reviews on Carpinteria’s most interesting spots. The series has helped me understand things I may never have otherwise understood about Carp and its various hidden secrets. So

Cate the place it is. Those tables, as well as

green of an olive tree or the grass on Senior

every other table on campus, whether it be

Lawn, giving the campus its signature look

in the dining hall, the ‘25 House commons

– a look I fell in love with the moment I took

room, the physics lab, or the Mac Room,

my first tour, and only kept falling in love

serve as the highways over which ideas travel

with every day thereafter. I know personally

at the speed of sound. They are tables over

that there are days when all I have to do is

which discoveries are made as students let

step outside to realize how absolutely lucky I

their voices dart back and forth between

am to attend this school. There is something

without further ado, I present my final Carp

classmates and teachers alike. But maybe

about it that feels as if you were inside a

what makes Cate more beautiful than

Gem: Cate School.

skillfully painted watercolor, one where all

anything else is the fact that we don’t need

the colors were made for each other and the

tables to have those conversations. Our

overlooking Carpinteria, “spectacular” is only

brush strokes allowed them to rest exactly

minds are always ready to share with others

the simplest way to describe Cate School.

where you’d expect. When it’s cold at Cate,

the vast wells of knowledge we acquire

In Carp and Santa Barbara, skyscrapers

fireplaces are set ablaze and their welcoming

every day, whether it be describing the

don’t exist, but at Cate the eucalyptus trees

flames and reassuring crackles set one of

fundamental differences between a classic

that line the roads and walkways jet out

the campus’s various wood-paneled rooms

and modern revolution as we construct tacos

of the ground, and their uppermost leaves

to life, bringing forth that snug feeling you

in the dining hall, explaining differentiation

undoubtedly scratch where the sky begins.

might get on a cloudy afternoon in the

to someone who doesn’t take calculus on

Their monumental size even brings to scale

Johnson Library. The look of this campus

the walk to tennis practice, or arguing over

Mr. Williams, who is certainly one of the

serves to attract us and it does a great job of

the meaning of a symbol in Mrs. Dalloway

tallest headmasters in the country—if not

that: we are drawn in like moths to a well-

during the 5-minute passing period between

the planet. Venture farther into campus

lighted dorm room at night.

English and biology. It is these conversations

Situated at the top of a mesa

and you’ll see the off-white buildings accentuated by dark wooden doors and 10

windows, and then accentuated again by the

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

It’s also the Harkness tables – those

that provide fuel to the academic machine

big, sturdy examples of carpentry that make

that is Cate School. It is not only curiosity

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

but also the ability of a Cate student to act on that curiosity that drives us forward.

This academic passion is something we might often take for granted or even forget about, especially on nights when homework is piling up and it seems like time is a lost concept, but it is something that makes Cate unique. Here we are explorers, conquerors of the unknown.

Cate is a boarding school, which means a majority of the student body lives on campus.

A few local kids, like me, have the great privilege of going home each night to their families, but for the most part this heaven upon the Mesa sponsors Carpinteria’s longestrunning, most study-oriented sleepover. As a day student I had to decide if I wanted to leave each day immediately after sports, to the familiarity of home, or if I wanted to stay until the late hours, forcing myself to assimilate. I opted for the latter in hopes that I’d be able to blend in with the rest of my classmates, who, instead of waiting out at the “day bench” on Chapel Road, retreated to the warmth of their rooms as study hours began.

I knew I had achieved my goal of becoming

It is not only curiosity but also the ability of a Cate student to act on that curiosity that drives us forward. This academic passion is something we might often take for granted or even forget about, especially on nights when homework is piling up and it seems like time is a lost concept, but it is something that makes Cate unique. Here we are explorers, conquerors of the unknown. others express theirs.

that the crowd erupts into when Mr.

So with a foundation of trust, Cate, to

Williams bestows upon us a free day. It’s

everyone here, is a community of friends. I

fair to say that everyone at Cate, faculty

understand how it’s unrealistic to assume

and students alike, knows the feeling of

everyone here is on perfect terms with each

walking out of assembly with hands tingling

other, but as Mr. Powell told me during

after 30 straight minutes of clapping.

freshman orientation, “Don’t worry; we

Assembly really is the perfect example of

only accepted the nice ones.” I have found

Cate functioning as a community. There’s

that so true: at the end of the day, even

something beautiful in how even the most

when you’re walking to the dining hall

pointless or cringeworthy announcements

after a long cross country practice and your

are still met with smiles, or how when

muscles are aching, you’ll still smile when

someone is clearly nervous about giving an

someone you know (only because you sat

announcement we’ll all cheer just a little

a “day boarder” when at the beginning

together at formal dinner once) gives you

louder than usual to respect that bravery.

of sophomore year Lila asked me during

a wave and a quick hello. But if you need

breakfast, “So, which dorm are you living in

more proof that we’re a community of

that is really the most valuable thing we are

this year?” She and a few others seemed a

friends, look at assembly. Our Mondays,

given on the Mesa. We understand how

little astonished when I revealed that I would

Wednesdays, and Fridays are collectively

scary it can be to step in front of the entire

be living at home, in Santa Barbara, as I had

brightened when Ian and Joe teach us

school to give an announcement, or how

the year before. But the fact that most people

how to Juju on that beat, or when Connor

overloaded we feel on nights where it’s just

live here on the Mesa, coupled with the fact

makes his birthday announcement, and of

impossible to finish all our homework, or

that only 280 people attend the school, lends

course when we are honored by the advice

how homesick people can sometimes feel.

itself to the strong sense of community Cate

of Dr. Love. We clap together after those

At Cate we know how it feels to wake up

establishes. Through mutual respect, trust,

announcements from Mr. Wood explaining

painfully early, whether it be for an early

and altruism, each person on the Mesa has

to us that we don’t have to clap after every

lab or for a work crew, and we even know

contributed to a place not only where people

single announcement, and after birthday

how it feels when nothing seems to be going

feel safe to express themselves and their

announcements that last a little longer than

right. But at Cate there is one motto that

thoughts, but where they feel safe to help

they probably should, and the cheering

encompasses all: Servons. Servons doesn’t

Here at Cate we understand each other;

W W W. CATE . O R G

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

only mean Public Service night, although that is a part of it. Servons on campus first means serving each other. We are here to remind each other that things will be okay, to remind each other that we know how it feels when the grills are charred because people were making stir-fries during first lunch, or how it feels when we don’t have a weekend because of an especially harsh S week. Servons means empathy. And that can manifest itself in hundreds of ways. It can be as simple as a hug, or something less obvious, like sitting in the Mac Room with your friends listening to music, or taking a moment to just recline on those comfortable couches while you all make jokes and have a conversation about what you’ll later characterize as nothing. For others, that empathy might be represented in a

I am also filled with excitement and pride,

past them, into the vastness of the milky

purposeful lack of action, those moments

because I can say with confidence that

way. A few minutes after I’d snuggled into

when you’re allowed to just be alone, with

we will go on to do great things. We will

my sleeping bag I felt a single drop of water

nobody asking you or calling you. A brief

find the things that drive us if we haven’t

touch my nose. I looked over to everyone,

moment of silence. But empathy can also

already, and we will pursue those with

with a little grin on my face and said, “It’d

be big, like Morgan’s idea to put college

the determination we have learned here.

be funny if it started raining right now.”

rejection letters up outside the theater,

Cate has given us the education and the

And then, of course, no more than five

not only to show the school that rejection

values, values like Servons, that will guide

minutes later, completely out of the blue

is normal and okay, but to show the entire

us through whatever comes next. As much

it began pouring. It was as if someone had

senior class that there is nothing to be

as it hurts to have to say goodbye, we must

turned on some cosmic tap right above us.

ashamed of, since everyone gets rejected.

look forward with an eye of optimism. It

When the rain began hitting our sleeping

is with this glimmer that we will finally

bags, everyone rushed to pull another

leaving this place such a difficult task. Not

escape the so-called Cate bubble – ready to

tarp together on top of us while saying,

only have we found somewhere beautiful,

challenge, innovate, create, and learn.

“Fraaannnn, you jinxed it, you made it

These acts of empathy are what make

somewhere we can be challenged by Cate’s

12

I want to leave you with a story that

rain.” I’ll just say this: anyone can control

brilliant teachers, and somewhere we can

you can do with what you will. It was the

be a part of a community; we’ve found a

second day of Yosemite and my pod was

place where people understand what we’re

getting ready to fall asleep in the clearing

times, the hard times, and every memory

feeling. And for all the help they’ve offered

we’d found by a lake. By the time the tarp

we’ve made here. I wish us all luck and so

every day and the help we’ve offered in

was down we’d made the decision to sleep

much more.

return it’s nearly impossible to imagine just

without tents so we could let the stars

saying goodbye for the last time, or at least

above lull us to sleep. A few clouds draped

for the last time for the next five years. But

the sky, but for the most part we could see

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

the weather.

Thank you everyone, for all the good

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

W W W. CATE . O R G

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2016/2017 Awards

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS

W. Burleigh Pattee Fellowship Award Mike Ferguson, Marnie Woehr

Jeffrey Sumner Pallette '88 Award Centennial Fellowship Award

Francesco Duffy-Boscagli

Taylor Wyatt Santa Barbara Scholarship Cup Circumspice Fellowship Award

Bryce Huerta

Shannon Drew Ellis Cup Flora Hamilton

William Shepard Biddle ‘18 Cup

William New, Jr. ‘59 Servons Award

Henry Dawson

Betty Woodworth

FACULTY RECOGNITIONS

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Morgan Gwynne Temby '69 Award Nicah Driza, Serena Soh Dohrman Pischel '14 Medal

Gaby Edwards and David Harbison ‘72

Musa Hakim

Humanities Award Carlo Jacobson '20, Natasha Weiss '20

Nelson Jones '48 Medal James C. Durham '02 Writing Prize

Kuana Davis

Henry Dawson Santa Barbara School Medal English Department Prize

Teddy Wecker

Bryce Huerta Headmaster’s Cup Ryan Borchardt, Eva Herman,

Stephen Spittler ‘63 Cup

Chinese Prize

Henry Walsh

Patrick Collins

Edward Lee

All awards are given to members of the Class of 2017 unless otherwise noted.

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

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 have always distinguished the men and women who deliver the educational program here on the Mesa.

French Prize Liana Schmidt, Isabel Sorenson '18 Japanese Prize Jason Wang

CENTENNIAL FELLOWSHIP The Centennial Fellowship was conceived to honor thoughtful, purposeful, and innovative

Spanish Prize

classroom teaching. Focused

Nancy Wu, Lillian Perlmutter

directly on pedagogy and practice, this award seeks to recognize an

Stanley D. Woodworth Language Cup

educator whose work this year has

Christian Herman

demonstrably advanced his or her own teaching skills, course design,

The Frank B. Light Cup

and lesson planning, and in so

Kate Bradley '19, Jeffrey Kim '19

doing impacted productively the learning of his or her own students.

Edwin Hartzell United States History Prize

This year, the fellowship is awarded

Cambria Weaver '18

to Taylor Wyatt.

James Masker Global Studies Award Colin Browne, Flora Hamilton

CIRCUMSPICE FELLOWSHIP The Circumspice Fellowship

History Department Prize

was designed to acknowledge the

Olivia Siemens

multiplicity of endeavors in which Cate faculty members are involved.

Stanley M. Durrant Mathematics Prize

This award recognizes excellence in

Sean Zhan '19

teaching in the broadest application of that role, encompassing, as we

Colin Day Mathematics Award

do at Cate, all that happens in the

Henry Dawson, Summer Christensen

classroom, in the dormitories, on the stage or athletic fields, and in broad-based engagements with the 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 Shannon Drew.

Allan J. Gunther Mathematics Award Edward Lee, Nancy Wu W W W. CATE . O R G

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AWA R D S

Rensselaer Polytechnic Medal

University of Pennsylvania Book Award

Ian MacFarlane '18

Young Su Ko '18

Biology Prize

Johns Hopkins University Book Award

Gabby Teodoro

Chrissy Robinson '18

Chemistry Prize

Dartmouth College Book Award

Simon Parker '18

Charles Shi '18 Peter Folger ‘25 Music Trophy

Physics Prize

Zac Towbes, Flora Hamilton

Nancy Wu

and San Francisco Photography Prize

The Hans F. Summers Award

Harvard Book Prizes of Boston Rose Xi '18, Carter Melnick '18

Jenny Lee '18

Bryce Huerta

Williams College Book Award Ian MacFarlane '18

ARTS AWARDS Brown University Book Award Cambria Weaver '18

Joseph Knowles Foundation Arts Award Will Anderson '20, Alex Kim '20

Wellesley College Book Award Molly Dorion '18

Fred Bradley ‘68 Prize Eva Herman (2-Dimensional)

EXTRACURRICULAR AWARDS

Nancy Wu (3-Dimensional) Digital Imaging Award Ian MacFarlane '18, Diarra Pouye '18 Joseph Bradley Art Prize Lauren Lokre

JUNIOR BOOK PRIZES

James R. Feld ‘81 Ceramics Award Nathan Martin, Robert Zhu Betty Woodworth Librarian’s Award Nicah Driza

Tony Hooker ‘56 Sculpture Award Maisie Oswald '18

Mesan Award Nancy Wu

Marion Wolsey Cate Acting Prize Kate Smith

El Batidor Award Lauren Lokre, Elliott Rosenthal,

Drama Award Connor Pan, Teddy Wecker

Centennial Book Prize

Kate Smith

Julia Farner '18

16

Franklin Ellis Vocal Prize

Public Service Award

Gabby Teodoro

Angie Meneses-Olvera

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

AWA R D S

Noah W. Hotchkiss Memorial Award Nancy Wu Technology Prize Serena Soh Student Activities Award Eva Herman, Matt Killea, Pierce Lundt, Amber Thiery Kate Bradley '19 and Jeffrey Kim '19 share a laugh as well as the Frank B. Light Cup.

Senior Varsity Sports Letter Awards

Ten varsity letters: Christian Herman

Six varsity letters: Ciana Biasi-Smiley, Ryan Borchardt,

Varsity Sports Captains Awards

Matt Killea, Edward Lee, Cooper Mayer Girls Volleyball: Seven varsity letters:

Delaney Mayfield, Halie Straathof

Ryder Dinning, Julien Maes, Nathan Martin, Morgan Prinz, Henry Walsh

Girls Tennis: Summer Christensen, Eva Herman

Eight varsity letters: Summer Christensen, Katherine Grossman Eva Herman, Mason Mackall, Chase McCaw Human Development Award Eleanor Anderson

ATHLETIC AWARDS

Boys Cross Country: Francesco Duffy-Boscagli, Henry Walsh

Nine varsity letters: Halie Straathof, Henry Dawson, Dylan Ell,

Girls Cross Country:

Pierce Lundt

Serena Soh

Outdoor Program Award Robert Zhu Redington Cup Sarah Polowczak '19, Jack Deardorff '19 Most Inspirational Athlete Award Katherine Grossman, Kyril Van Schendel '18 Sportsmanship Award Eva Herman, Morgan Prinz, Patrick Armstrong '18 Beach Soule Award Christian Herman Peter Cate Award Halie Straathof

Halie Straathof and Christian Herman were honored with the Peter Cate and Beach Soule awards respectively.

W W W. CATE . O R G

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AWA R D S

Football: Henry Dawson, Pierce Lundt, Chase McCaw Boys Basketball: Pierce Lundt, Chase McCaw Girls Basketball: Morgan Prinz, Amber Thiery Boys Soccer: Ryan Borchardt, Christian Herman Girls Soccer: Kate Smith Boys Water Polo: Julien Maes Girls Water Polo: Halie Straathof Girls Lacrosse: Katherine Grossman Baseball: Dylan Ell, Bryce Huerta, Joel Revo Boys Tennis: Kevin Ha, Christian Herman, Mason Mackall Boys Track and Field: Musa Hakim Girls Track and Field: Emily Zhang Boys Volleyball: Mateo Luca-Lion, Chase McCaw Boys Swimming: Julien Maes Girls Swimming: Aparna Iyer

18

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

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 he 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 to two faculty members whose remarkable service to Cate takes place behind the scenes, in interactions and commitments that are as powerful and supportive as they are discreet – and to most of the community invisible. They are both tireless in their efforts, all of which directly support the work and interests of each and every member of this community. If we could somehow replicate their DNA – ethics issues aside – we surely would. It is my distinct pleasure to offer the Burleigh Pattee Fellowship to Director of Technology, Mike Ferguson, and Director of Student Services, Marnie Woehr.

AWA R D S

W W W. CATE . O R G

19

AWA R D S

SERVONS AWARD: BETTY WOODWORTH The Servons Award was created to

She served as the School Librarian

the advancement of its curriculum and

for 37 years, and after leaving that post

Bill New ’59. In the dozen or so years since

program – and to the care of countless

became Cate’s first archivist. Of that

the award was conceived it has become a

students and faculty.

work she famously said, “The Archives

means to honor the diversity of service that

Here they raised their family in the

are not just about 1910 or 1940. They

has been offered to Cate by the remarkable

same manner they guided Cate – with

are yesterday and last week – all those

people who compose our community.

poise, conviction, care, and compassion.

moments that are making the School

Alumni, trustees, faculty, and friends have

And when Stan Woodworth succumbed

what it is and will be.”

all received the award, which is given this

to cancer in 1989, our award recipient

year to a true Cate legend.

persevered, never relenting in her service

Emerita, suggesting quite rightly that

Her title even today is Librarian

to Cate, in her affection and care for our

our recipient orders our resources,

Mesa from their home in Connecticut

students, or in her connection to the work

particularly our history, so that we might

in the summer of 1948, eager for an

and life of the School.

discover that which we need to know.

She and her husband came to this

adventure on a new coast, though our recipient will confess that she cried every day of that first year. It is never easy to leave home. But by year two the East had lost its luster and Cate began to shine.

Over the course of their unprecedented tenure, our award recipient and her husband became central not simply to

20

the community of the School but to

honor the remarkable service to Cate of

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

AWA R D S

their weekly walks. We recall, too, the countless Scrabble games she played with Cate students who would visit her home, or the endless string of alumni she would greet at Camp Cate. There are no words that can do justice to the contributions that she has made to our community.

“Thank you” seems wholly insufficient.

We are simply better because of her. And in this year, when for the first time in 70 years we have to make our way without her reassuring presence, it seems right and fitting that we engrave her name where it belongs – among the giants.

Asked in 1995, the year she officially

than a decade ago, “Headmasters come

retired, what Cate stands for, our award

and go… but we always have Betty.”

recipient said simply, “Excellence and

Earlier this year, though, in the

Cate's Board of Trustees approved a proposal to re-name the street

goodness.” Once referred to as the First

midst of her 69th year on the Mesa, our

Lady of the Mesa, our recipient in many

recipient left the home that the School

ways is our history and a primary source

built for her and her husband 33 years

of the spirit that gives vitality to Cate.

ago. Every Thursday we still see Betty

honor. Formerly known as "The

As a longtime trustee reminded us more

and her friends strolling the Mesa for

Shelf" or "Middle Mesa," the street

where Betty Woodworth lived for more than 40 years in her family's

will now be called "Woodworth Lane." The sign was presented to Betty at the annual meeting of the Alumni Council.

W W W. CATE . O R G

21

PRIZE FUNDS JOSEPH BRADLEY '35 ART PRIZE FUND

$12,670

JOSEPH KNOWLES PRIZE FUND

$13,205

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. Will

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

Anderson and Alex Kim are the recipients of this year's award.

Lauren Lokre is the recipient of this year's award.

JEFFREY SUMNER PALLETTE '88 PETER CATE '37 AWARD FUND

$5,327

AWARD FUND

$12,361

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

Halie Straathof is the recipient of this year's award.

in highest esteem by the members of the senior class. Francesco Duffy-Boscagli is the recipient of this year's award.

ANTHONY S. HOOKER '56 SCULPTURE PRIZE FUND

$3,109

SUMMERS SCIENCE FUND

$32,209

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. Bryce Huerta is

books on the art form. Maisie Oswald is the recipient of this year's

the recipient of this year's award.

award. *figures reflect fund size as of June 30, 2016, not size of award

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CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

C U M L AU DE A DDR E S S

The Journey Ahead CUM LAUDE ADDRESS BY WILLIAM CHOI '05 my own graduation, and reflected on how I came to appreciate my four years at Cate not by the goals achieved but by the experience itself – by all the mundane moments, by the ups and downs, by the community I enjoyed throughout the journey.

Funnily enough, this appreciation for the journey and the process is again the topic of tonight’s talk. You might be thinking, “Wow, he’s just gonna recycle the speech he wrote in high school twelve years ago?” And yes, you wouldn’t be entirely incorrect. But after some reflection, I do seriously believe it is the most impactful message I can give tonight. And that’s William Choi '05 speaks to the importance of pursuing the unknown path – not only in the world but also within oneself.

Dear Cate community, thank you for having me here tonight. It is an honor and a joy to be back on campus. I do wish I

I’m just a has-been. That’s a tough place to climb out of.

But on a more serious note, I really

because this appreciation for the journey that I took away from Cate has become a core value of mine over the years.

In particular, it really guided my decision making when I encountered one of the most important forks in my life.

had been invited a year earlier, so I could

am thankful for the opportunity to speak

Some background first. It was 2011, just

still be the reigning Cal Math League

tonight. I stood here in this chapel almost

under two years after I had graduated from

record holder, but now everyone knows

exactly twelve years ago, just a day before

college. I had studied computer science

About WILLIAM CHOI '05

was acquired by Yahoo in 2014. William continues in a leadership role at his company and directs the Aviate engineering team.

When William was a student at Cate, he was our version of Google.com. A brilliant scholar, William had the answers to the most complex questions in mathematics at the click of his brain. He was the Cal Math League champion all four years, broke a record held by his own math teacher that had stood for two decades, and was among the best in the nation in combined score. We became experts at the High Pi sign in those years. William also mastered Japanese, grew to be an exceptional writer in our most advanced English courses, and was a biologist of rare talent.

But for all that he accomplished as a student, it is William’s humanity and humility that most captivated the community. So popular was William with his classmates that he earned a standing ovation in assembly after scoring a goal in a jv soccer game. He was a four-year regular on Public Service night and the winner of community awards

too numerous to count, including the Biddle Cup, the School’s highest prize.

It should be said that there is some symmetry to William’s return with this year’s class, as he shares the stage tonight with a senior who recently broke his long-standing Cal Math League Record. And how appropriate for William to be a witness to such an accomplishment, for William has always taken pride in the success of others.

In one of her final advisor letters for William, Gaby Edwards wrote, “There is something about William that brings out the best in everybody. He inspires his peers to be more confident and committed as students just by his deep respect for all and his quiet and boundless enthusiasm for learning.”

It is the very mixing of scholarship and character that we recognize with Cum Laude and in the celebrations for seniors in the next two weeks.

We are honored to have William back on the Mesa – in our classrooms as he was this morning, and in our company at this special occasion tonight.

Introduction by Headmaster Ben Williams

Our guest tonight is software designer, engineer, and innovator William Choi, who spent four storied years at Cate and graduated with Highest Honors with the Class of 2005. After his graduation, William studied at Stanford, earning concurrent Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in computer science in 2009.

He started his career as a software engineer at Google. In 2012, he left Google to start a mobile application company called Aviate with two friends. According to William, they began working on several ideas together and in the span of a year arrived at an idea for a mobile app. This app “allowed the smartphone to utilize its context— where you are, what time of the day it is, etc.—to present the right apps and information to you at the right time.”

Through several iterations and early testing they arrived at the first prototype of Aviate. Aviate

W W W. CATE . O R G

23

C U M L AU DE A DDR E S S

at the highest level of technical rigor and

While I had a lot of freedom to

innovation. But I realized slowly that my

explore these aspects in some of my time

life as a software engineer was not exactly

at Google, I realized that, in big companies

what I had in mind when I first fell in

with established products, wearing

love with computer science and building

multiple hats tends not to be particularly

software. When I first completed a fairly

valued, nor does it fit neatly into the way

decent piece of code—and those of you

they operate. So towards the tail end

I met in the Computer Science class

of my second year at Google, I started

this morning can identify with this, I’m

meeting with my soon-to-be-cofounders

sure—I had been instantly enamored by

Paul and Mark to seriously consider

the power of software. I found the chance

starting a company together. The benefits

to rapidly make something out of nothing

were well understood. It was the clearest

I learned the importance of community in my work, and came to really rely on my teammates to provide positive energy when I was feeling like everything was going down the drain. And most importantly, we had fun.

intellectually and creatively stimulating.

way to jump into the earliest stage of a

encouraged; it was a necessity.

Most of all, I loved that putting together

product—stage zero aka nothingness—and

a product was an inherently multi-

be involved in every step of its creation.

matter what you hear, no matter how much

disciplinary affair. Beyond engineering

Wearing multiple hats was not only

conviction you have, the cold hard statistics

and joined a team of software engineers

there was so much to consider, from the

at Google, working on the core search

visual design to the psychological and

experience. In many ways, I was thrilled

cultural context of the user, from how to

to be a part of it. I was working on one of

tell an engaging story for your product to

the most defining digital products of the

the statistical analysis that can reconstruct

day, at a company with an unmatched

the real story of how the product was

level of scale, on a team I believed to be

actually being used.

But how do you evaluate the risk? No

for start-ups are against you; most will fail.

Why would I jump into something that was very likely to fail? When focused on the goals and outcomes of doing a start-up, or any other decision where there’s a great chance of failure involved, it’s pretty hard to be reasonably convinced that you should do it. It’s like gambling. It just doesn’t make sense. To make matters worse, most of the advice out there around taking big risks is maddeningly simple and tautological. They are all some variant of “Just do it,” “Take a leap of faith,” and “Don’t be afraid to fail.”

I’ve never liked these because, if you think for a second, they all seem like exactly the opposite of what a reasonable human being would do.

So here’s where the journey thing comes back in. I think when you really consider the journey ahead on a decision like this, things really start to come down to earth. You are no longer speaking in Summer Christensen '17 receives her Cum Laude certificate from Director of Studies Lisa Holmes.

24

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

probabilities or chances of success, playing

C U M L AU DE A DDR E S S

oracle or dicemaster with the future. You are speaking in the realities of what you will do and how you will spend your time.

And that process is much more under your immediate control.

When I thought about the startup experience, I realized it would most certainly be a journey of learning—no matter what happened to the product.

Perhaps no one would use it, and we would silently exit the stage as if the product had never existed. But what I did know one hundred percent was that I would be learning a ton in the process about building new products, technically and otherwise.

It would also be a journey of fun. And I don’t mean “fun” in the sense of watching Netflix or posting on Snapchat or whatever young people do these days. I mean the kind of fun that can persist even when you

2017 CUM LAUDE SOCIETY INDUCTEES Fourteen members of the Class of 2017 were inducted into the Cate School Chapter of the national Cum Laude

are stuck in traffic, because you’re sitting

Society: Top row (left to right): Bryce Huerta, Henry Dawson, Halie Straathof, Rebecca Qin, and Robert Zhu.

next to your best friend. The kind of fun

Middle row (left to right): Ryan Borchardt, Olivia Siemens, Edward Lee, and Summer Christensen. Bottom row

that helps you get through a grueling hike

(left to right): Flora Hamilton, Katherine Grossman, Serena Soh, Nancy Wu, and Gabby Teodoro.

or any of the most challenging, nightmarish scenarios by being able to laugh together at

was wrong. I learned the importance of

hard you try. As was the case for me, your

the situation. This also was something that

community in my work, and came to

first instinct may be to stick with what you

we could control.

really rely on my teammates to provide

know. But what we are celebrating tonight

positive energy when I was feeling like

is something all of you in this room are

as a start-up founder, I saw a journey that

everything was going down the drain. And

deeply familiar with in your core—the

was not without dark times, but that was

most importantly, we had fun. I grumbled

curiosity to pursue the unknown, both in

also full of learning opportunities and full

sometimes about how we went from

the world and in yourselves. I hope you

of joy and camaraderie. When I considered

gourmet three-course lunches at Google

carry that forward, and that considering the

the journey, and really valued it for what

to canned bean salads, but all in good fun.

journey ahead will make the leap into the

it was independent of the outcome, the

After some of the most grueling investor

unknown a little bit easier. I hope you really

decision became shockingly easier. It wasn’t

pitch meetings, where we were hammered

take the time to understand the journey

about the risks and the hypotheticals. It was

with brutal rejections, we were able to

ahead, and to realize that it is yours to

all about what we would get to experience

make silly jokes about them, laugh a little,

design. I hope that it takes you to decisions

every day and every step.

regroup, and move on to the next pitch.

you thought you would never make. I hope

So when I imagined the journey ahead

And it turned out to be true. I learned

Life will invariably throw you a lot of

that it takes you past peaks and valleys and

so much from the experience, one surprise

decisions to make after Cate. Should I take

eventually to surprising new heights. And

after another. I learned that putting

that class? What should I major in? Should

I wish you the best of company on those

together an early-stage product is really

I go work at that company? Should I stay?

journeys. Thank you.

an exercise in humility, that I had to lay

Should I quit? It is truly non-stop. And they

down my pride, constantly ask for feedback

can be sort of exhausting and paralyzing,

even when it wasn’t easy to listen to, face

because many of them you have to evaluate

rejection after rejection, and admit that

with imperfect information. You just won’t

much of what we had done or assumed

know what the outcome might be, however W W W. CATE . O R G

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

INTRODUCTION TO THE BACCALAUREATE CEREMONY

by Headmaster Ben Williams

Welcome to our Baccalaureate ceremony in honor of the great Cate Class of 2017.

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 2017 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. You are a 26

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

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 each other’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.

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

EVA HERMAN '17 When I was approached to deliver a

goodness and happened instead upon a

Baccalaureate speech, my first question

pile of cold vegetables. But looking back

was, “What is Baccalaureate? ” This is

on the episode, there is good to be seen

not my first or my second but my fourth

in the turn of events. For one, although

Baccalaureate, but to underclassmen

it may have been an undesirable truth

sitting outside the chapel, even the juniors,

to accept in that very moment, perhaps

Baccalaureate is shrouded in mystery.

those Dibs would not have benefitted Lila

There is a certain radius in which one can

– perhaps broccoli would have been much

hear what the speaker is saying, and out

better for her well-being in the long run.

there in those chairs is far outside this

In addition, the broccoli incident that was

radius. I can tell you that a vast majority

so crushing at the time has grown into

out there is signing yearbooks anyway and

a cherished story about which Lila and

has not an inkling of what is happening

those around her can laugh.

inside this chapel. But that’s okay, because

We’ve all had these instances, the

I was told to speak about our class—the

“One day you’ll look back at this and

senior class—anyway. That’s what I’ve

laugh” events. Maybe your whole friend

gathered Baccalaureate is: a celebration of

group was placed in CHW when you

our class.

“What connects us?” – this year’s

And so she strode over to the cooler and

were hoping for High House. Maybe you

peered in. There at the bottom of the

were snubbed for a main part in the play

inquiry question – is one we’ve heard

cooler, isolated from the almond-flavored

when you thought it would be your time.

many a time these past months. It came

Magnums and the strawberry shortcake

Maybe you didn’t make the team. I say

to mind when I began thinking of what

pops, one stray container of Dibs lay

our class is king of these kinds of things.

I would speak about today, and for our

apparently untouched, beckoning to

Last year’s CHW boys still speak fondly

class, the time we’ve spent at the senior

her: a holy grail. Her mouth watering in

of their times on lower hall their junior

tables outside the dining hall was an

anticipation, she peeled off the top, and

year. Kate Smith played a Crayon with

answer I thought of immediately. Our

filling the cup to the brim was a mound

grace and proceeded to rightfully steal

class has relished our time at those three

of broccoli. Blindsided, she scanned the

every show since. Surf Team rejected

tables, often staying the full hour and a

dining hall. Finally her eyes settled upon

me, and when I was lost and stumbling

half of dinner, long after the food had

a horde of senior boys giggling into their

through the dark, Thirds Coed Basketball

been cleared off our plates, simply trading

hands by the drinks station.

was my beacon of light. Without it, I

funny experiences back and forth.

As it comes time to leave this Mesa and throw ourselves into the unknown, I

I believe there’s something to be taken from this story. We are leaving behind us a life here at Cate that’s been

wouldn’t have been offered a Division I basketball scholarship.

These unexpected changes of plans

am reminded of one such experience that

dear to us for four years and stepping

will be many in the next few years as we

many of us have likely heard circulating

blindly into the next phase of our lives.

hit college and, after that, the beginning

the senior tables involving one of the

Most all of us know where we are going

of our lives as adults. I can’t think of a

Class of 2017’s very own.

to college, and some of us – beyond my

better group of people to handle the ups

understanding – even have an idea of

and downs than this one.

It was fall of freshman year, an assorted ice cream night in the dining

what we want to pursue as careers, but it

hall. It was around 6 o’clock, which is late

is impossible to know exactly what we are

to go for the best ice creams – Tollhouse

getting ourselves into.

ice cream sandwiches and Dibs – as those

Now, there is no doubt that Lila was

fly out of the cooler at 5:30 sharp. But

devastated at first. She had opened the

Lila was new to Cate, eager and hopeful.

Dibs container expecting creamy, crunchy

W W W. CATE . O R G

27

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

JOEL REVO '17 My all-time favorite movie is The

for the first time in 40 years, but his life is

Shawshank Redemption. Shawshank is the

anything but happy. He goes to work at a

story of Andy Dufresne (played by Tim

grocery store in the morning, and returns

Robbins), a man who was wrongly convicted

to his home at night. Feeling lost, he

of murder, and sentenced to life in a prison

contemplates going back behind the prison

in rural Maine. Andy then befriends a man

walls he relied upon. But Andy’s parting

named Red (played by Morgan Freeman),

request sticks with him. He takes a bus to

who has been locked away since his youth.

Buxton, and uses a compass to navigate

During their overlapping time in, they

many fields until he finds the stone path to

become inseparably close, over lunches,

the grand oak tree where he searches for the

discussions in the prison yard, and the menial

volcanic rock. Under the rock is a tin lunch

labor they do together. They talk of freedom,

box, and inside of it, a letter.

of life on the outside, and of Zihuatanejo, a beach town on the coast of Mexico. Andy says if he ever gets out, that's where he’ll go. One day, along with his spiel about Zihuatanejo, he gives Red some pretty specific instructions.

He says if Red is ever paroled, he should go to Buxton, Maine, and find the farm with the long stone wall leading to an oak tree. There, at the base of the tree will be a volcanic rock, under which will be a box Andy wishes to give to Red. He never mentions anything of it again.

At this point, you may be wondering, why in my final chance to address our entire class, I would spend a minute on the first half of the plot summary of a movie some of you have never seen. Well, in a few ways, our experience is similar to that of both Andy and Red. Obviously Cate is not a prison; in fact, the last four years have been the most

For Andy and Red, prison life is excruciating. At the end of their conversation, Andy says, “Get busy living, or get busy dying.” Well, Andy got busy living. Every night for 19 years he took marble chess pieces and a contraband rock hammer to chip away at his cell wall until the hole he created was big enough for him to slither through down into the sewer pipe, and crawl half a mile to get to the river outside the prison.

It has become pretty common for people to call our generation impatient, lazy, and short sighted. Our class has been anything but that. We have Cal Math League champions, Carnegie Hall performers, future college athletes and more, because of persistence.

We’ve achieved these accomplishments because of undying devotion to our craft,

Four years ago, all of our different paths intersected here to bring us together.

Tomorrow, we will all be starting on new ones. We will likely feel many of the same emotions Red did sitting under that oak tree.

Nervous, excited, curious, and perhaps even fearful. As with Red, the world we are about to enter into is much different than the place we’ve called home for the past few years.

Have we developed self reliance beyond the quiet Mesa, or have we become dependent upon it? We wonder what life will be like after we leave the place that has become our home. We wonder if we will adjust to life at the college we’re attending. We wonder what will happen to the relationships that we have cultivated over countless hours at the lunch table, or lazing around on Parsonage lawn, or even through group projects and homework

without ever losing sight of our end goal,

assignments. More than anything though, we

enjoyable of my young life. Sure, it might

our Zihuatanejo, even if getting there meant

should be hopeful and excited to use the tools

be a bit of a stretch, but give me a second to

laboring through hours of kitchen crews, SAT

that Cate has given us to continue our studies,

explain. Like Andy and Red, we have all been

prep, and college applications. By coming

and our lives. We have to be hopeful that our

brought together by many factors out of our

to Cate, you are living life, not experiencing

four years here have prepared us for whatever

control. No, the admissions committee is

it. Surely, many of your Cate memories

lies ahead in college. We have to hope that the

not the warden, but they all saw something

will be stored amongst your most fond. But

strength of our connections overpowers the

in us, probably something we did, that told

inevitably, in the next four years, and the four

distance between us.

them we belonged here. Some of you have

years after that, less and less will be handed to

known about Cate your whole lives, while

us. It may take persistence, passion, and time,

a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things,

others learned about it as you were applying.

but never lose sight of your Zihuatanejo.

and no good thing ever dies.” Congrats to

We may not have come from the same backgrounds, but our relationships have 28

developed regardless.

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

Two years after Andy escapes, Red is paroled. He enters the world as a free man

The end of Andy’s letter reads, “Hope is

the Class of 2017, and I hope to see you all in Zihuatanejo.

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

A DARING ADVENTURE

BY ATHENA JONES ‘94

Hello everyone. It’s WONDERFUL to be back here at Cate.

Though I’m not graduating today, I do have something in common with all the departing seniors. As you prepare to leave here, you’ve probably spent some time looking back over your Cate experience – remembering all the good times. So have I. This is my first trip to Cate in about two decades and it brings back so many memories, including some from the very beginning: Outing Week freshman year, playing capture the flag on the beach on Catalina Island. And the next year … I still remember the question our team couldn’t answer while playing Trivial Pursuit during the Outing Week trip to Pyles Boys Camp.

was the process of defrosting, then cutting

TIMES, requiring A LOT of multitasking

It was What did the Wicked Witch of the

and scraping and manipulating cotton and

and – oftentimes – A LOT of caffeine.

West write in the sky above Oz in The Wizard

wires – trying to create a fox shape. And

I’ve been covering the White House off

of Oz? The answer: Surrender Dorothy.

then, of course, there was the SMELL. The

and on for years, all through the Obama

(The fact that I still remember losing that

smell was too much for our classmates –

administration – and I’ve been there full

game probably says something about my

they kicked us out of the lab and we had to

time since February of 2016. Covering the

competitive nature.) I remember that

work on the BALCONY. I also remember,

new administration is proving to be a very

38-mile hike along the Kern River junior

freshman and sophomore years especially,

different experience, as you can probably

year – the longest I had ever – and have ever

when everyone would disappear after study

imagine.

– done. The friendships, the sunsets, hanging

hours – or at least would seem to – and my

out on balconies, sitting on the bench behind

friends and I would joke that everyone had

been a long and winding one. I won’t go

High House at night looking for shooting

gone to the Secret Fun Place. Though we

through it all. I’ll give you the broad strokes.

stars, racing in track meets, performing in

usually discovered they were all in the rec

I moved from New York to DC after

the spring musical, the formal dinners, the

room in the basement of High House playing

covering first Hillary Clinton’s and then

assemblies with everyone correcting each

pool or foosball.

Barack Obama’s FIRST campaigns for the

other’s grammar. Does that still happen?

I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes

The road to my current position has

White House back in 2007-2008. It was one

To this day, I still say “me” under my breath

about what Cate taught me – and what I

of the MOST EXCITING ASSIGNMENTS

whenever anyone misuses the word “myself”

believe it has taught you – about exploring.

I’ve ever had. The other exciting assignment

– and I learned that here, at assembly and

Being adventurous. Taking risks. Challenging

was the four years I spent in South America

in English class. Then there was the time

yourselves. Not letting fear rule you or your

writing for the wire services Bloomberg and

in AP Biology when – for extra credit –

decision-making.

Reuters – first in Santiago, Chile, where

another classmate (Amy Lopez-Hollis) and

A brief word about me first. I grew up

I covered the election of the first socialist

I tried to stuff a dead fox (roadkill that our

in Texas and Louisiana. I have been living

president since Salvador Allende was

teacher Cheryl Powers had been storing

in Washington, DC since 2009 and was

toppled in a military coup in 1973 AND the

in her freezer for who knows how long). It

recently named to CNN’s team of White

return to Chile of former dictator Augusto

was NOT a success. Probably because we

House Correspondents. It’s an exciting

Pinochet, after he spent more than a year

were not professional taxidermists. There

position to have in VERY INTERESTING

under house arrest in the UK (while a judge W W W. CATE . O R G

29

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

pursued charges against him for human rights violations). I later moved to Buenos Aires, where I covered the collapse of the economy and the government, but also more fun things, like the tango. While living in Argentina, I traveled frequently for work and pleasure – covering a presidential election in Bolivia and a mining conference in Peru, which, incidentally, is where I was on 9/11.

The bottom line here is that I think the days of staying in one job for three decades or more and retiring with a gold watch are over – at least in a lot of industries. In my experience, you have to be willing to move around, change jobs, go where you can get the most out of a position. It can often be the best way to move up title wise and salary wise – and to achieve your dreams. So that’s a little bit about me.

necessary preparation). As you leave the

(notably Ben Bradlee of The Washington

graduates here today, it’s three-fold:

Cate experience behind and look ahead to

Post and Walter Cronkite of CBS), which

1) Challenge yourselves. That means aiming

college, be willing to try new things. That’s

inspired me. While in Spain later that

high, keeping an open mind about what it is

what college (and I would argue youth) is

year, I discovered I cared a good deal about

you want to do, getting out of your comfort

for. Now is the time to pursue any and every

international affairs and the way things work

zone, rejecting fear, taking a chance on

intellectual or extracurricular subject that

around the world. I devoured Time magazine

something new.

interests you. In a word: EXPERIMENT.

and The Economist and decided I wanted

2) Follow opportunities. That means pursuing

You may find out you’re good at a subject

to be a foreign correspondent. Had I not

meaningful experience. Pursuing knowledge.

or hobby that you never considered, which

decided to try something new, I probably

3) Know there will be setbacks. Progress isn’t a

could send you in exciting new directions.

would have ended up a lawyer. I would be

straight line.

Though the Advanced Placement courses

wearing a pantsuit and carrying a briefcase

As for my central message to all of the

and tests I took here at Cate meant I could

to work every day – not that there’s anything

favorite quotes – one that has become

have completed college in three years instead

wrong with that, but it wasn’t my calling.

something of a motto for me – is attributed

of four, I decided I would not graduate

So I urge you to FIND YOUR CALLING –

to Helen Keller, who wrote, “Life is either

early, but would instead use what could

and to keep an open mind about what that

a daring adventure or nothing.” In the same

have been my final year of school to intern

calling might be.

short book – Let Us Have Faith (published

in DC with a congressman from my home

in 1940) – Keller also says, “Avoiding danger

state of Texas for a semester, and then study

risk and an opportunity as well. When I

is no safer in the long run than outright

abroad in Spain for a semester. These were

became a campaign reporter for NBC, I was

exposure. The fearful are caught as often as

life-shaping experiences. Even though I had

taking a risk. The other word for campaign

the bold.”

arrived at college set on becoming a writer

reporter, by the way, is an embed; they’re

Challenge yourselves. One of my

30

During the Baccalaureate Address, underclassmen often sneak a few signatures into their yearbooks.

Covering the 2008 campaign was a

Now I’m not suggesting you go

or a journalist, I soon drifted away from that

the road warriors who follow the candidates

skydiving – unless that’s your thing – or

goal and settled on becoming a lawyer, like

around 24/7, chasing them across Iowa and

take risks you haven’t really thought out.

practically everyone in my family and many

New Hampshire and trying to capture every

I’m simply arguing that NOW is the time

of my friends. But during that fall I took off

moment – kinda like a professional (and

to take some calculated risks – hopefully

from school, while interning in DC, I read

sanctioned) stalker. But it was a contract job

backed up by hard work and research (the

the autobiographies of several journalists

that required a PAY CUT. And – as in life

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

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

I took a lot of risks, but they weren’t crazy and I wasn’t flying blind. I was collecting experiences. good too – especially Obama himself.

At one point, he managed to get his team to guess Cockatoo by talking about “an animal that flies, can mimic human words, and has fancy plumage.” Later, when Obama’s word was Revolution, his clue was that this was something Thomas Jefferson called for from time to time.

As if sensing a collective “huh?” from his team (possibly because Jefferson used Harris McCullers '17, accompanied by the Camerata sings the School song, "The Crown for the King."

the word “rebellion” not “revolution”), he

– there were no guarantees. Once your

challenge the future president to a game

quickly concluded that the clue was “too

candidate was out of the race, you were

of Taboo – it’s a game the other embeds

obscure” and instead said the Beatles sang

out of a job. But I wanted the experience

and I played to pass the time on long plane

a song about it, which elicited the correct

of following a campaign at ground level,

and bus rides. I don’t know if you all are

guess. Throughout the game, Obama and

so I took a chance. I worked hard and

familiar with Taboo. It’s the game where

his team checked the score after each and

when it became clear that Hillary Clinton

you get a card with a word or phrase on it

every round. It was a window into how

was NOT going to win the nomination,

that you try to get your team to guess. But

competitive a person he was. It was the

NBC moved me to the Obama plane.

beneath that word are exactly the words

only time we ever played a game with

Because I had worked harder – and faster

you would be most likely to use to elicit the

Obama. But it’s one we’ll never forgot.

– than my colleagues, I was one of the

correct answer, but that you aren’t allowed

last embeds standing. When he won, that

to use. For instance, Van Gogh. You can’t

have been on that plane with the future

meant I got a job as a producer working in

say ear or Starry Night or Dutch or Vincent

president if I hadn’t taken a chance. I

the White House. The whole experience

or sunflowers, so you might say, “dead artist,

took a lot of risks, but they weren’t crazy

was unforgettable.

painter, cut off his listening organ.” So we

and I wasn’t flying blind. I was collecting

played Taboo with then-Senator Obama and

experiences. I threw myself into the work

campaign about the time we played Taboo

his press team; it was the journalists versus

and it paid off.

with the future president.

the Obama folks, and because I was the one

I’ll share a brief story from during the

It’s one of my favorite interactions with President Obama (then a senator running

whose idea it was, I had to start.

And would you believe the first clue

And so the point is that I never would

You may not be naturally adventurous and you may not see yourselves as risk-takers, but I encourage you to try to challenge

for the White House). During much of the

was White House? I immediately said “Barack

yourselves to get out of your comfort zones

primary season, and all through the general

wants to live there,” which was incredibly

and explore, as you’ve done during your

election, the reporters following Obama flew

embarrassing, considering you don’t usually

years here. Don’t stand in your own way. Try

with him on his campaign plane. It had a big

call senators by their first names. I had

to pursue your interests and goals without

O on the tail and some of us jokingly called

to correct myself and say, “Er, I mean the

worrying too much about how well or how

it O Force One – as opposed to Air Force

Senator wants to live there.” My team

quickly things will work out. If you don’t try,

One. Well, early in my time on the Obama

shouted the correct answer and Obama

you definitely won’t succeed. And if you do

campaign plane, I had the opportunity to

laughed. But the Obama folks were pretty

try, you might surprise yourself.

W W W. CATE . O R G

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

Now let me turn briefly to the idea of

help you gain perspective; they can reorder

opportunities. And finally, know there will

your thoughts about what’s important, and

be open to opportunities that may present

be setbacks – personal and professional –

they can show you how strong you are. So

themselves and, if you’re able, at least while

failures large and small, moments of doubt

you can’t let your circumstances defeat

you’re still young, try to chase experiences

and despair. But setbacks don’t have to hold

you. This is where your family and your

and knowledge, not money or status. After

you back or bring you down. They don’t have

friendships – the ones you’ve made here,

graduate school, I abandoned an effort to

to define you. It’s okay to zigzag a bit on the

the ones you’ll make in college and beyond–

join NBC in favor of a summer studying

way to where you want to be.

come in. I’m also talking about your future

abroad, this time in Cairo. I simply figured I

Not a lot of people know this, but

mentors and future bosses. Hold onto them.

could settle down and get a job in television

in the fall of 2012, while my mother was

Stay in touch. Go beyond Facebook if you

later. I wanted to go somewhere I had never

dying of a rare cancer, I was diagnosed with

can. These are the people who will help you

been, to keep learning something about the

early-stage breast cancer. I got through it

through the toughest times. And everyone

wider world. After two enlightening months

with the support of loved ones – and my

needs a support system.

in Egypt, I moved back to New York, where

managers at work. I had major surgery, took

I worked for a couple of months as a fact

a month off to recover, and returned to work

how much your Cate experience shaped

checker at an art magazine before I got a

the following January. Three months later,

you. But I hope you always remember

chance to move to Chile, where I had never

in March of 2013, I lost my mother, who

how special this place is. A place where

set foot, for a 3-to-5-month internship with

was my biggest cheerleader, and a big fan

everybody knows your name.

no guarantee I would ever be hired on as a

of Cate. I got through that, too, with the

full-time writer. One friend told me, “A job

support of family and friends. Then in late

you, with what you’ve learned here and

is always better than an internship.” Another

2015, while traveling constantly to cover

the relationships you’ve made, you can hit

said, “I thought you wanted to be a foreign

the presidential primaries, I was diagnosed

the ground running in college. So do that!

correspondent.” Within weeks I was on a

with cancer for the second time. This time it

Challenge yourselves. Follow opportunities.

one-way flight to Chile, where I knew not a

was more advanced and it wasn’t going to be

Know there will be setbacks; but they won’t

single person. That internship at Bloomberg

quite as easy. Surgery wouldn’t be enough. I

break you. They’ll make you stronger.

stretched from three months to five, and

would have to do four and a half months of

then I was hired to join their office on the

chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiation.

spent a lot of time covering politics. But I

other side of the Andes in Argentina. I took

What’s more, I had to get off the campaign

got into journalism to be a storyteller – to

a risk and followed an opportunity – even

trail once I began the chemo, and that

tell the stories of ordinary people, not just of

an imperfect one – and it paid off. Still,

meant watching the entire general election

powerful people who stand behind podiums.

these were calculated risks. I was 23. Had I

from the sidelines. I told very few people,

And the truth is we are all storytellers. Each

crashed and burned, I still had plenty of time

because I wanted to keep my head down

of you will write the story of your life. And

to regain my footing, and I still would have

and focus on what I needed to do to get

along the way you will tell yourselves stories.

benefitted from the experience.

better. I was fortunate to be assigned to the

Let the stories you tell yourselves – about

So when it comes to doing something

32

Challenge yourselves. Follow

following opportunities. I encourage you to

It may be years before you realize just

Because of the way Cate has prepared

In closing, I’m a journalist and I’ve

White House, where I was able to witness

who you are and who you are becoming – be

new – or something that scares you – you

the end of Obama’s presidency, much as I

full of adventure and self-discovery and the

make the best decision you can with the

had witnessed the beginning. I was lucky

pursuit of knowledge. And let them be free

information you have at the time. Then

enough to get to travel to Saudi Arabia, the

of the fear of failure.

don’t endlessly second guess yourself. Give

UK, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, China, Laos,

yourself some room. Be adventurous. See

and Peru while covering Obama’s last year;

Athena Jones '94 serves as a CNN White

the world. Get out of your comfort zone. If

I even spent 19 days in Hawaii covering his

House correspondent during the Trump

you’re curious about what it would be like to

Christmas vacation. It was a year full of

presidency. Prior to working for CNN,

visit, study, or live in a certain place, by all

excitement and adventure. So even a setback

Jones covered the presidential campaigns of

means go for it. You’ll broaden your mind.

like my cancer had a silver lining. I also

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during

You’ll learn about yourself. You’ll learn

learned that cancer isn’t necessarily a death

the 2008 election cycle for NBC and the

about others. And you’ll gain confidence.

sentence. Challenges – health or otherwise –

National Journal.

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

W W W. CATE . O R G

33

The Class of

2017

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 2017

ELEANOR GRACE SHAW ANDERSON

RYAN DAVIS BORCHARDT

University of Chicago

WITH HIGH HONORS University of Michigan

If Eleanor were any kinder, we’d start looking

The superlatives that Ryan’s teachers use are

for her wings. She greets every person, every

as diverse as Ryan’s many talents. He is the

opportunity, and every challenge with a ready

“heart and soul” of teams, vocal ensembles,

smile, an earnest expression, and heartfelt

and student government. His scholarship

enthusiasm. And she hasn’t yet met an

is deeply insightful and his manner in class

obstacle she couldn’t overcome with equal

thoughtfully provocative. His leadership flows

portions of positivity, work, and all around

from an inclination to be of service, and he

brilliance. Eleanor balances her amazing heart

gives of his time generously and discreetly,

with an intellect that is equally compelling.

as though he is averse to drawing a lot of

She is perpetually busy doing worthwhile

attention. Perhaps that made his casting as

things, dancing in ensembles, deriving joy from herding her freshman

the self-absorbed Robert, in The Drowsy Chaperone, all the more

seminar students or digging in to a particularly vexing chemistry

compelling for Ryan, as Robert couldn’t keep his eyes off himself,

lab. One teacher called her “a force for good” and referenced her

and neither could we. Ryan’s friends call him “Borch,” which is not

leadership of our public service program. But most see Eleanor’s

a reference to the chilled Russian beet soup of (approximately) the

apparent divinity not in any one thing but in her management

same name. The two, though, do share a certain richness of character,

of all things, in the purity of her intentions, the manner of her

uncanny depth, and an exhilarating and lasting flavor. Indeed, the

scholarship, the gentle clarity of her being, and the generosity of her

lingering presence of Ryan Borchardt is sure to be conspicuous here,

commitments.

for the engagement he naturally evinces is as memorable as it is fundamental to community.

CIANA MARIE ANN BIASI-SMILEY

COLIN HOWARD BROWNE

Harvard University

University of Pennsylvania

Ciana’s trajectory over the last four years is

After a presentation in assembly on the

pretty similar to her velocity off the ground

service work Colin has been doing in

as the middle on our volleyball team: fast

Tanzania, a faculty member asked, “Is he

and straight up. She has grown into her

really as genuinely good and thoughtful

scholarship with the very dedication and skill

as he seems?” Yup, he is, and given his

building that distinguish her citizenship and

great attention to current events and the

her athletic achievements. Ciana doesn’t just

happenings in the world, Colin is perpetually

want to be good at things; she wants to do

finding new ways to be helpful and to build

the work that gets her there. And she wants

his understanding of culture, conflict, and the

to share what she knows and learns. She has

36

manner in which the world can be improved.

done so demonstrably as a prefect in Schoolhouse and as one of the

Aside from his work in Africa, Colin spent half of his junior year

leaders of the Black Student Union. For the last four years, too, she

studying in Spain, is a driving force behind our Model UN program,

has served on a committee of the Board of Trustees, contributing to

and even built skills as a teacher through our Human Development

the education of that body and the policies it helps to build. Now

program. Combine such laudable intentions with first-rate scholarship

Ciana has set her sights on medicine and the continuing impact that

and we have ourselves a game changer. Already Cate and a

she can have on people’s lives. Indeed, in all her many endeavors and

community in Tanzania are experiencing that very impact first hand.

pursuits, impact is Ciana’s strong suit – and it’s universally positive.

Next, a fortunate university … and then an ever bigger stage.

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

SUMMER LEE CHRISTENSEN

HENRY DEBAUN DAWSON

WITH HIGHEST HONORS Dartmouth College

WITH HIGH HONORS Brown University

In her Tuesday Talk this Spring, Summer

One of Henry’s favorite texts when he

concluded with a memorable insight: “Life

arrived on this Mesa was the Oxford English

doesn’t get better as a senior. You just get

Dictionary – a compendium that details

better at life.” Summer sure seems to have

not simply what words mean but where the

mastered it. With her signature deadpan

meanings come from. That is the nature

delivery, she can offer wisdom on a whole

of Henry’s scholarship too – to get to the

range of topics, often with a clever wit and

root and origin of ideas, concepts, truths.

an inclination toward recognizing meaning

He is an uncanny scholar, so committed to

and connection across a broad range of

understanding that he is perpetually reading

activities and disciplines. “Metacognition” is

something well beyond his course of study.

one of the aptitudes often identified with Summer. But she is just as

In fact, reading for pleasure and interest is one of Henry’s pre-lights-

remarkable as an athlete – the captain of our tennis team, who can

out rituals. His commitments outside the classroom are no less

overwhelm an opponent with power or savvy. Or as a musician – a

comprehensive, for he leads teams as a captain, leads dormitories as a

centerpiece of our ukulele ensemble – as a tutor in our Spanish lab,

prefect, leads the Young Men’s Forum in defining masculinity in the

or even as an ambassador for the Admission Office. The child of two

modern age, and leads community discourse as one of our collective

Cate graduates, Summer just seems a natural part of this place – “a

touchstones. It must be a weighty mantle to wear, but Henry seems

paradigm,” as one faculty member noted, for perpetually becoming

unfazed by expectation or responsibility. He just begins each day by

better.

honoring his opportunities, and finishes it off with a good book.

YA’KUANA SAMONE’ DAVIS

RYDER JAMES DINNING

Bowdoin College

Santa Barbara City College

Ya’Kuana arrived on this Mesa as a self-

There is very little paint left on Ryder’s

described “introvert from Texas.” You

football helmet at the end of a season. It is a

wouldn’t know it now. She has in four years

record of sorts of the manner in which Ryder

become one of the standards against which

commits himself to a task or a team or an

we measure contribution, leadership, and

objective. He is undaunted and unrelenting,

engagement. She is the patient prefect

a picture of composure and a model of

directing and guiding youngsters new to

applied energy. His clarity of purpose

this Mesa. She is the aspiring programmer

is not surprising. We see it everywhere,

challenging anyone to solve a coding problem

and it led one faculty member to refer to

before she does. She is the senior who chooses

Ryder in a recent letter as “our rock.” More

to play jv basketball so that she can mentor the younger girls on

remarkable, though, than Ryder’s many commitments are the

the team. And she is the visual artist with an interest in the music

bearing he manifests in pursuing them. He is naturally reserved and

business, who has already found a way to translate that ambition

understated, a listener who can and does respond with great empathy

into a portfolio of clients. Ya’Kauna just isn’t willing to wait for

and understanding. That very nature has contributed to Ryder’s

life or opportunity or purpose to come to her. Nor is she willing to

scholarship as well, allowing him to demonstrate the clarity and

forego any of her own responsibility. Instead, she approaches every

understanding that come from his attentive nature. And while Ryder

interaction with two simple questions: “What can I learn?” and “How

suggests that his career on the gridiron is now over, the very qualities

can I help?”

that propelled him there will do so everywhere else.

W W W. CATE . O R G

37

CLASS OF 2017

LILA JANE DRESSLER

FRANCESCO DUFFY-BOSCAGLI

Scripps College

Wesleyan University

Families who visit Cate and have Lila as a

It’s a name you want to say – lyrical,

tour guide never fail to identify their time

undulating, complex but nicely tonal. It’s

with her as one of their memorable moments

fun to listen to, as well, Francesco Maurizio

on campus. Anyone who watches her in the

Duffy-Boscagli. It’s a name that suits, for

pool – and particularly on the water polo

Francesco is as compelling and soothing, as

team – can’t help but marvel at her poise and

distinctive and memorable as his appellation

strength in front of the goal. And teachers

suggests. His greatest strength as a scholar

who share the classroom with Lila inevitably

may well be his gift with language – in

remark on her seemingly insatiable curiosity

English or French – and his knack for

and distinctive scholarship. There is an

balancing precision of thought with artistry

energy, a light-hearted banter, and a disarming but well-meaning

of expression. His bearing in the community is similarly balanced, for

candor that distinguish every engagement with Lila. She is happy to

all seem to value and appreciate their time with Francesco. And they

tell it like it is, and equally likely to make fun of herself in the process.

enjoy too his inclination to embrace a good challenge – intellectual or

She shows great seriousness of purpose but she is also careful not to

theatrical – to laugh at himself and with others, to share his life and

take herself – or anyone else – too seriously. In so doing she presents

personality gently and magnanimously. Like the base section he leads

the perfect model for the freshmen she serves as a TA or the people

in Chorale, Francesco seems to create congruity where others might

she meets through our public service program. We remember the

find only dissonance, the result of which is beautiful music.

distinctive people in our lives, and Lila is surely one of those.

DANICAH VHIN DELA PEÑA DRIZA

DYLAN ALEXANDER ELL

Pomona College

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Nicah’s every expression is genuine. There

There is an endearing clarity to Dylan Ell. He

is no pretense to her, no inclination to take

keeps it simple, focusing on those fundamental

the easy path, no attempt to make the

qualities that distinguish productive people.

difficult look simple. She is too earnest to

He is steady and thoughtful, never taking his

misrepresent things and too empathetic ever

eyes off the objective or the manner in which

to couch her own experience as somehow

it might be reached. He is understated and

different from that of others. She seems, in

reserved – more likely to think before he

truth, to enjoy the fact that we all struggle

speaks, to listen to another’s perspective.

at times, and she is as content to console

And he is principled in his work, always

a friend in distress as she is to share in the

asking for his best effort. That very nature

joy of one who is exhilarated. Her empathy flows from a very deep

has led him to positions of authority and responsibility here, and

well, coloring her gentle leadership, her great commitment to her

it has infused his citizenship with unselfish power. We listen to

studies, her joy in her pastimes – of which bookbinding and playing

Dylan, trust him, and enjoy working with him because we know

the organ are just two – and her attention to her responsibility to

his intentions are laudable and because we appreciate that he is

the community. There is really no half-way with Nicah, no one foot

as happy to lead as to follow – whatever is best for the team. And

in and one foot out. There is only thorough and profound application,

teams, particularly athletic teams, are as fortunate to benefit from

the results of which, at least for Nicah, seem to be joy and love, both

Dylan’s own actions as those his work ethic inspires in others.

received and inspired.

38

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

KATHERINE MACDONALD GROSSMAN

MUSA SIMON HAKIM, JR.

WITH HONORS University of Pennsylvania

Case Western Reserve University

Katherine is a rare find. She is one of the

Musa made a decision part way through

only students we have ever enrolled from

his tenure at Cate to be the student – and

Kentucky, and she joined our community as

ultimately the leader – that this community

a junior, a year into which we admit very few

needed him to be. An aspiring engineer, he

new students. In no time at all, though, she

tested himself in our most rigorous math and

proved herself indispensible. A remarkable

science courses. He tried his hand at acting,

and insightful student, she complements her

too, showing great composure on stage, and

natural aptitude with an old-school work

a certain ingenuity (Adolpho!) when it came

ethic. As one teacher noted, “Katherine

to rendering a character. Acting seemed to

understands that what one gains from an

appeal to Musa’s interest in testing himself, in

exercise is proportional to her investment in it.” That commitment

broadening his range, and in trusting in his preparation. He invested

is manifest all over the campus now – in the Human Development

his time in the community in the same manner, ultimately earning a

Program where she serves as a TA, on the lacrosse team she captains,

prefectship in our freshman boys’ dorm, and proving to be one of our

even on the co-ed thirds basketball team that she and her teammates

most conscientious role models, and a standard bearer for integrity

made the team to watch this winter. It is thrilling, in fact, to watch

and responsibility. He hasn’t given up sports, of course. Musa is still a

Katherine confront any challenge. She meets it as she does a lacrosse

standout on our track team and about as rabid a Cleveland sports fan

game – with uncanny insight, thoughtful vision, and the speed and

as there is in the world. But he seems to see his future as dependent

quickness that quickly separate her from everyone else.

on his intellect and his great character, both of which ensure he will be a real champion.

KEVIN JAMES HA

FLORA SHU-QI HAMILTON

Skidmore College

WITH HIGH HONORS Bowdoin College

In the early morning, when most others

Flora ran for President of the Student Body

are still sleeping, you can find Kevin on

last year because she loved the service

the tennis court, working out with his

component that is so much a part of

father and preparing for matches yet to

leadership. And her tenure in the top job

be played. We did not make Kevin into a

has revealed ever more clearly the unselfish

great player. He was that before he came

core of this remarkable young scholar. Only

to Cate. But on this Mesa he took all the

Flora can articulate with such sincerity

discipline and hard work that had helped

what it means to be a guest or a host, with

him to such accomplishments on the court

a well-meaning, “Come on guys, we have to

and focused them on the work he needed

represent!” It’s what Flora does every day,

to do in the classroom and the community. The result now, four

not simply with her perpetual kindness and accessibility, but with

years downstream, is a young man who is as impressive off the

her boundless energy and good intentions. Teachers who laud her

tennis court as he is on it. This year, in fact, he reminded us all of

scholarship speak with equal passion about Flora’s inclination to

our power, of the need to use setbacks as opportunities, to define

tutor and support her peers. And everyone marvels every time Flora

ourselves by the work we choose to do. And he has more than lived

sits down at the piano. It might be fair to say that few saw Flora’s

up to those words – leading an Outing Week trip in Yosemite for

leadership coming four years ago. Now, though, none of us can

sophomores, building academic achievement worthy of his acumen

imagine Cate without it.

and his effort, and leading that tennis team that has long relied on the strength of his play with the character of his leadership.

W W W. CATE . O R G

39

CLASS OF 2017

ANNA JEAN HASSON

EVA BEAUMONT HERMAN

Mount Holyoke College

WITH HONORS Yale University

The written word seems to captivate Anna.

A faculty member once described Eva as

She gravitated as a freshman to a creative

“simultaneously humble and powerful.”

writing club called Writing Dangerously

Her power comes from a remarkable array

and she has built her course of study around

of skills – some academic, some artistic,

language and human endeavor. People seem

some athletic, and some interpersonal. Her

to compel Anna in the best ways, not simply

artwork has won national competitions, her

their expressions but their character, their

facility with modern languages won her the

interests, and their opportunities. And she

Woodworth Language Cup, and her deft

has become an advocate and spokesperson at

personal touch earned her a prefectship. Yet

different times for those who need a voice.

Eva carries these and other accomplishments

She has been active in our gay-straight alliance and has helped the

lightly, as though they don’t mean all that much. And to her, they

community build policy and awareness that are supportive of all

probably don’t. Eva seems more inclined to savor opportunities or

people. She has connected students who attend Cate on scholarship

friendships or a good tennis match than to look too far back or too

and has advocated for increasing the breadth of our financial aid

far forward. She will take what comes – particularly a good and

program. A little introverted by nature, Anna is energized and

provocative challenge – and do magical things with it, learn new skills

inspired by someone or something to fight for. And in that expression,

wherever she goes, and much as she has here, craft her masterpieces

we see all the fire and insight that have distinguished Anna’s academic

along the way.

work, and all the possibility and advocacy that will surely define her life in the future.

CHRISTIAN MICHELSEN HERMAN, JR.

BRYCE NATHANIEL JOSIF HUERTA

Tulane University

WITH HIGHEST HONORS Stanford University

Christian is the guy everybody wants on

Bryce spent just two years on the Mesa,

their team, regardless of what the team is

yet one of my colleagues acknowledged

for or what it’s trying to do. If its purpose is

recently, “I’ve already run out of superlatives

academic, Christian will be the provocateur,

to describe him.” It is true that Bryce pushes

the one with the right questions and the

the rest of us almost as hard as he pushes

unusually inquisitive mind. If the challenge

himself. He is as talented a student as we

requires endurance, Christian will be

have seen, compelled by ideas and inquiry,

perfect for the job. A colleague once noted,

and as agile intellectually as they come. Even

“Christian is like a puppy … filled with

more disarming, as another faculty member

boundless physical energy and a great will to

that’s saying something. On more than one occasion, not having taken

able or accomplished athlete than Christian. He is a standout with

a prerequisite, Bryce took a second-year course and taught himself

his hands on the tennis court and with his feet and head on the soccer

the foundational material while he pursued its higher applications.

field. Water too, is his thing, either on a surfboard or as part of our

He likes the big questions, and he is inclined to invoke Robert Frost’s

water polo team. Yet amidst all of these talents and aptitudes, all you

“The Road Not Taken,” a poem about choices, as a personal mantra.

sense from Christian is composure, good cheer, and a certain joyful

That’s fitting, for Bryce too has chosen the path that “wanted wear,”

appreciation for competition. It has been a great privilege to have him

making a difference with every thoughtful stride.

on our team.

40

noted, “Bryce is as polite as he is smart.” And

please.” And if the goal is something athletic … well, there is no more

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

APARNA RAMANAN IYER

MATTHEW RYAN KILLEA

University of Michigan

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Of Aparna’s work as a Teaching Assistant a

If we were to honor growth in this

faculty member acknowledged, “Her interest

ceremony, then Matt Killea might well be

is not in modeling for underclassmen what

the star attraction. That’s not because he

they should be as seniors, but in helping them

is nearly a foot taller than he was when he

develop the practice of seeing complexity

arrived as a freshman, but because of the

and breadth in the world, and the initiative to

manner in which he has applied himself

follow their own aspirations.” Underlying such

to the opportunities before him. Matt is

teaching is the profound respect that Aparna

conscientious and careful, unflappable and

has for the people with whom she shares her

resolute. He knows himself well, and he

life. She is deeply curious about the human

uses that self-awareness to build meaningful

experience in all its forms, about culture and ideologies, and about

scholarship. He has grown into Cate in the same way that he has

the means we use to understand each other. Her scholarship takes her

grown into himself, with thoughtful energy, well-meaning dedication,

on that very path, is rich in the humanities, and is distinctive for the

and a focus on doing rather than saying. Matt’s skills have been on

manner in which it connects disciplines and concepts. Aparna’s clarity

display all year as a leader of the Activities Committee, but they were

of purpose is strengthened as well by endearing candor, a disarming

most conspicuous in the Senior Haunted House, arguably the most

sense of humor, and a deceptively strong competitive spirit. There is

impressive and scariest Halloween experience ever constructed on

no better company to keep or aquatic teammate to have than Aparna,

this campus. Leave it to Matt to set the standard, especially when he

and no better perspective to discover than hers.

is working to improve everybody else’s experience.

ANHYO JEONG

ISAAC HOPE LEE

WITH HONORS UCLA

Boston University

Anhyo admitted recently that he is most at

Isaac wrote early this year, “I like to work with

home wearing a lab coat. Far from being a

my hands and in my head, so designing and

startling revelation, the admission confirmed

thinking about solutions to complex problems

what we have come to appreciate about

are fun challenges for me.” Though he is not

Anhyo – that he is fascinated by the way

one to betray a whole lot of emotion in class,

things work, by the intersection of chemistry,

the joy that he derives from inquiry is pretty

mathematics, and physics, by the discoveries

conspicuous. The greater the challenge,

we can make when we dive deeply into

the more animated Isaac becomes, leaving

science. Said one teacher, “When it comes

his journey here as a story of momentum

to understanding the complex principles

building. Isaac himself sees that momentum

of engineering, Anhyo has no equal.” That’s an aptitude Anhyo is

carrying him toward engineering and the opportunity to solve “real

happy to share, which he does as a tutor in three different labs. His

world problems.” But in truth he will be well positioned for any

skills with language are equally profound, for he is fluent in three at

course of study. Just watch him play chess and you recognize a young

the moment and tutored others extensively in Chinese this year. It is

man compelled by strategy, intricacy, and a worthy opponent. And

perhaps the character of Anhyo’s scholarship that is most distinctive,

given his growing aptitudes and appetite for challenge, adversaries at

the joy of it, and the gratitude he shows after each class. His letters of

Isaac’s level are going to be harder and harder to come by.

thanks to teachers at the end of a trimester are just one reflection of the gift and the gratitude he offers any community of learners.

W W W. CATE . O R G

41

CLASS OF 2017

JONG HA (EDWARD) LEE

LAUREN NICOLE LOKRE

WITH HIGH HONORS Johns Hopkins University

WITH HONORS University of Pennsylvania

Edward’s name is already firmly ensconced in

Lauren has an unusual and remarkable

the Cate pantheon. He is the mathlete who

gift for expression. She is one of our most

topped all others, a standard setter in the

convincing writers, having won the Hartzell

classroom, in Cal Math League competitions,

Prize in the History Department for her

and the winner of virtually every quantitative

junior research paper. Yet she is equally facile

honor Cate bestows on students. It would

with journalism and this year served as one

be easy to simply call Edward gifted, but

of the editors of El Batidor. Nor is English

that does little justice to the agency Edward

her only literary milieu. Lauren is one of our

shows in advancing his own understanding.

most precocious and accomplished Spanish

His inquisitiveness is unrivaled, driving

speakers, having supplemented her course

him deeper and deeper into topics and compelling him to order

of study at Cate with two summer language immersion programs.

his own knowledge and understanding. And like the true scholar

And when or if Lauren ever tires of words, she turns to images,

that he is, Edward answers his many and varied discoveries and

and her equally remarkable visual art. There too she has received

accomplishments with the modesty of someone who remains well

national recognition for her work, evidence not simply of broad and

aware of all that he does not know. Such a posture makes him not

impressive talent but of a commitment to expression in all its forms.

only a thoughtful student but a patient and attentive tutor, a generous

And with a mind like Lauren’s behind it, each gesture offers some

community-minded citizen, and a captivating model for the eternal

critical new insight.

search for understanding.

JIAYU (TOMMY) LIU

ANNIE JASMINE LU

Cornell University

Rice University

Tommy has known since he was a child that

Annie is patiently relentless. Her well-

he was headed for a life focused on art and

meaning ambition brings with it a captivating

design. He has the technical chops and has

seriousness of purpose and enviable structure.

distinguished himself in our quantitative

Her productivity is well known to students

disciplines. One teacher even called him

and teachers, and its byproducts are

a “computational polyglot” because of his

conspicuous both in and out of the classroom.

aptitude as a programmer. But Tommy does

A talented writer known for her depth of

not intend to spend his life at a keyboard. His

thought and her attention to detail, Annie is

artwork is as impressive as his coding and

just as likely to be supporting another student

reveals Tommy’s keen eye, creative mind,

as a writing tutor as she is to focus on her own

and spatial awareness. It is easy to mistake Tommy's unflappability

work. She leads our Public Service Program, so she has a well-honed

for lack of interest, but his placidity hides a mind that is perpetually

sense of empathy, and she is an active believer in Round Square

at work. As he noted recently, “I am very passionate about what I

and the exchange of culture and ideologies it enables. Athletics,

do, and I know ultimately that it’s how hard you work that matters.”

too, demonstrate Annie’s resolve and aspiration, for she has become

Thankfully, Tommy takes that same commitment to athletics,

a varsity contributor in both tennis and track. There is no area of

playing on the football and volleyball teams and demonstrating in

endeavor that Annie cannot master, and that mastery once achieved is

conspicuous fashion the remarkable impact of his hard work.

always tinged with a certain easy-going composure and peace, which are as distinctive as Annie’s many accomplishments.

42

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

MATEO LUCA-LION

MASON LOUIS MACKALL

University of Edinburgh

WITH HONORS University of Chicago

In his Tuesday Talk earlier this year, Mateo

Mason warms up before basketball games

spoke about the challenge of working

in flip flops. He’ll shuffle to class looking, in

within the academic structure at Cate. His

the words of a colleague, like a “dark-haired

unique and powerful mind, he pointed out,

surfer dude.” And yet, when he actually

follows its own patterns, to both productive

plays in the game or participates in class, he

and unproductive ends. It was a trusting

is fierce and focused. Mason seems to relish

speech, remarkable not simply for what

those moments when he is challenged by an

Mateo was willing to share but for the self-

opponent or a concept, and he never fails to

awareness it revealed. Mateo is a thinker

rise in the face of such opportunities. That

and a questioner. He wonders why things

pattern is conspicuous on the basketball

happen and how things work. He is not content with the superficial

court, where he puts that big, agile body to work in the low post,

or the simple, which is why he has pushed himself so demonstrably

but it is just as impactful in the classroom. Mason likes the difficult

and come to such understanding about his own unique cognition.

questions, the ones that indicate a student has reached beyond the

Perhaps equally compelling, it is Mateo’s humor, his broad

surface to find meaning. One of his teachers lauded his “keen and

engagement, and his characteristic sincerity that have distinguished

nimble mind” and suggested that his queries put him several steps

his journey of discovery. And in his own special way, Mateo has

ahead of peers. And yet even that level of cognition does not change

made himself great within a structure that he has had to adjust to.

Mason’s unflappable, easy-going nature. He takes everything in stride,

Therein lies his genius, and the foundation for what will surely be a

comforted perhaps by the knowledge that he has the skills to meet

remarkable intellectual life.

any challenge.

PIERSON HOLMES LUNDT

JULIEN EARL MAES

Macalester College

University of Colorado, Boulder

It’s easy to laud Pierce for his athleticism. He

Julien’s economy with words and his gentle

is and has been for some time a mainstay of

affect prompted a colleague to invoke the

three varsity programs, and his dedication to

iceberg analogy. There is depth there, said the

his sports and his teammates is as impressive

faculty member, much of it focused on the

as his performances on the field or court. He

practical application of knowledge and skills.

leaves us, in fact, to continue to compete at

Julien wants quite sincerely to have impact

the collegiate level in football. But to focus

on the world and has already been involved

on Pierce the athlete is to miss so much that

in significant service efforts both home and

is remarkable and endearing about this young

abroad. There he answers every expectation

man. He is, in fact, as committed to his

with unflagging effort and commitment. But

studies as he is to anything else. Rarely loquacious but refreshingly

Julien is not some mass bobbing about on the tide. When he is in the

sincere and candid, Pierce is in many respects a model of productive

water, speed is Julien’s distinguishing characteristic. He is one of the

citizenship. He leads by example. He values honesty and integrity

best aquatic athletes ever to come to Cate, a porpoise in the pool and

and supports the same in his peers. And he will be the first to find

the leading scorer by far on our water polo team. No one, it seems,

what is best in a given situation. Peers call him the ideal teammate, a

can slow Julien down or rattle him, and he gets better as the stakes

designation that serves even outside the arena of sports.

grow and the competition intensifies. Deep he certainly is, but in the pool and elsewhere Julien can fly, too.

W W W. CATE . O R G

43

CLASS OF 2017

JUAN GUSTAVO CAMPOS MAGALHÃES

COOPER FRANCIS MAYER

Bowdoin College

University of Southern California

In a letter in support of Juan, a faculty

A faculty member wrote recently of Cooper,

member wrote, “There is no challenge that

“It is impossible to talk about him without

college can throw at Juan that he hasn’t

talking about his relationship to the water.”

already overcome.” Through a life that took

Whether the area of endeavor is academic,

him from a small town in Brazil to our little

like the stream water testing Cooper did

school on the Central Coast, Juan has shown

here and in Colorado, or athletic, as in his

not only remarkable grit and ambition but

contributions to our water polo team, or

also the discipline to make his dreams come

recreational, as when he surfs a morning

true. His scholarship just exudes attention

swell or dives on one of the reefs off Catalina

and precision. He pushes himself constantly

Island, Cooper is literally immersed in aquatic

to refine his understanding and his work, trusting that his effort will

systems. One of the byproducts of that association may well be the

bring him greater insight. Though he came to Cate ostensibly for

fluidity of Cooper’s presence and bearing. He is remarkably adaptable

soccer, his play on the pitch has ultimately been eclipsed by his efforts

and understanding, unfazed by impediments, and perpetually

in the classroom, in our public service efforts, and in our Round

curious about the world around him. There is a serenity to Cooper,

Square program. When asked about his accomplishments, Juan will

too, perhaps born of so much time spent in the ocean, where he has

likely reference his favorite line from scripture and point out that he

learned to cede control to the elements, yet glide along the currents

hasn’t done it alone.

they create towards understanding, achievement, and joy.

NATHAN ROLO MARTIN

DELANEY LEAH MAYFIELD

Case Western Reserve University

Bates College

According to a somewhat irreverent saying,

In the late fall of her sophomore year, Delaney

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the

and her teammates traveled to Fresno to

size of the fight in the dog.” Watching Nathan

play in a CIF State tournament quarterfinal

throw his body around the court as the libero

volleyball game. Delaney was sick with the

on our volleyball team, or covering kickoffs

flu and almost gray from nausea, but she

on the gridiron, is to confirm the notion

was also our best player and she was not

that the greatest force in the universe is that

going to miss that game. It is easy to look at

which impels us to action. And Nathan is the

Delaney’s tenure at Cate, and particularly

poster child for intrinsic motivation. He gives

her leadership of our volleyball program, and

and gives and gives, always with sincerity of

see raw talent and the awesome achievement

purpose, a wry smile, and the best of intentions. A faculty member

that follows. But Delaney’s genius is less her considerable talent and

called Nathan both “charming and charmed,” the former because he

more what she has done and sacrificed to develop it. Her resolve is no

is so gracious and the latter because he has emerged from so many

less conspicuous in the classroom, where Delaney has found her voice

collisions and contests largely intact. That, too, makes him a great

and her purpose, thriving all the more as the complexity and volume

teacher, a role he has taken on in our freshman visual arts course, for

of the work grew. The fact that her commitments outside of Cate to

he is not daunted by risk or challenge. He just does what is needed,

volleyball and service work did not diminish her impact here simply

and takes all that he can from the effort.

reveals the intensity of the effort Delaney has given and underscores the way one individual can move and inspire and teach a community.

44

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

CHASE OLIVER MCCAW

ANGELICA MENESES-OLVERA

Stanford University

Scripps College

It is a great pleasure to spend time with

We were asked on Martin Luther King,

Chase. He is kind and personable, blessed

Jr. Day to write on a stickie note about

with a warm sense of humor and the

someone who had done something

inclination to be generous with his friendship.

particularly generous. Upon the column

Intellectually he is similarly graceful and

to which those notes were affixed, Angie’s

inviting. He likes learning almost as much as

name was everywhere. She is our giver,

he enjoys teaching or contributing his time to

one who, according to a faculty member,

help another. We see such mentoring in the

“has made it a habit to put the interests

classroom, in Chase’s work as a peer tutor,

of others before her own.” Regardless of

in his inclination to do the Kern trip for a

the setting or the circumstances, Angie is

second time as a senior, even on the football field or the basketball and

making a contribution to the experience of another. Her interests

volleyball courts. He wants to be helpful to his peers and teammates,

only further her unselfish tendencies; she is a passionate Public

not simply to share what he knows but to reveal to them what they

Service Head, a coveted tutor in the Carpinteria School District,

know. It takes a special kind of person to so prioritize his time, and

and a leader of our Los Niños program. Her own scholarship is as

it reveals a good deal about Chase’s approach to scholarship. As one

generous and impressive as her service efforts, and it is focused

of his teachers observed, Chase “raises the level of conversation” and

appropriately on ways to build connectivity, communication, and

“shares his contagious enthusiasm and curiosity.” Would that we could

common ground. Her seeming quiet is simply a vehicle for Angie’s

all “catch” such qualities.

listening, a foundation for her learning, and an extraordinary measure of her empathy.

JAMES HARRIS MCCULLERS

SOPHIE MARIE NETTESHEIM

Pitzer College

Barnard College

In trying to capture Harris’ unique,

There is an energy to Sophie’s scholarship

nonconformist nature, a colleague drew a

that is pretty hard to resist. She loves a juicy

parallel with a Jackson Pollack painting.

challenge and is animated by complexity.

Harris, she suggested, doesn’t fit into any

Give her a good ethical dilemma to wrestle

box or onto any canvas. He is everything and

with or an apparent contradiction in policy

everywhere. At least, he has been at Cate. An

and practice and you are in for quite a ride.

actor, a singer, a prefect, a scholar, a techie,

The harder things get, the more Sophie

a philosopher, an inventor, an artist, and a

digs in. That’s actually true in any area of

futurist, Harris finds every imaginable way to

endeavor. She is as likely to take control in

express his exploration of the world of ideas

the backcountry and lead the way on the

and possibilities. Unconstrained by what is, Harris seems much more

trail as she is to take the lead in a class discussion or in a fundraising

interested in what might be, and in how he might contribute to such

effort for a school she supports in Tanzania. There is just no quit to

possibilities. Imagination is at the center of his scholarship just as it

Sophie. In fact, the greater the volume of work, the more energized

guides him in his work on stage or in Camerata. Whether he has felt

Sophie becomes. The result, of course, is tremendously impactful

an emotion or not, Harris seems to be able to render it, understand

achievement and the depth of inquiry that distinguishes real

it, appreciate it. Which means that on stage or off, Harris is the real

scholarship. That very thing is clearly in her future, for Sophie’s mind

thing – a most genuine genius.

is bound and built for discovery.

W W W. CATE . O R G

45

CLASS OF 2017

CONNOR JEFFREY PAN

MORGAN ELIZABETH PRINZ

Northwestern University

Pitzer College

Asked to describe his interest in computers

In a letter discussing Morgan’s many and

and science, Connor shrugged his shoulders

remarkable virtues, a faculty member

and said, “I’m a fourth-generation engineer.

concluded with a comment about her

I was born into it.” At Cate, he clearly dived

engagement with the world and the people

in, co-founding a technology group called

around her. “Morgan,” he said, “is paying

Electric Sheep, leading our technical theater

attention.” That may well be why her

team, and this year becoming a teaching

judgment is so impeccable and well balanced,

assistant in the Advanced Computer Science

for it is deeply informed. Her scholarship,

class. He has also been researching a Cate

too, is as impressive as it is broad, and she has

app that would give families new to Cate a

the unique ability to examine a situation or

virtual campus experience. This grew out of an Eagle Scout project

interaction and know what is needed. That very nature has led her to

that Connor saw as the culmination of his service work in the Scouts.

the head prefectship she carried so gracefully this year to leadership

Given his interest in how things work – or how he might help them

on athletic teams and in dormitories. So gracious and thoughtful

work better – Connor’s efforts are quite in keeping with his desire to

is she in her many endeavors that now everyone pays attention to

be helpful. He has offered his service to such ends in a host of ways

Morgan, notes her composure and her poise, sees her tenacity in

throughout his time at Cate, often thinking inventively about how we

sport, and even enjoys her tendency to “shake it off” with a flick of

can be or do better. No doubt the same lies ahead for Connor as he

her wrists if a call goes against her on the basketball court. In just

takes aim at the digital age, and shapes it in the future.

such a way, Morgan moves perpetually forward unencumbered by impediments and ready for whatever comes next.

LILLIAN ANNA PERLMUTTER

REBECCA FEI QIN

WITH HONORS Scripps College

WITH HONORS Harvey Mudd College

Lillian could be a great many things. She

Rebecca has an extraordinary mind. “It is a

has all the quantitative skills and scientific

model of clarity, efficiency, and efficacy,” said

acumen to pursue her already-expressed

one faculty member. Another admitted, “I

interest in neurology. As one of her teachers

am humbled by the arc of her development.”

noted, “Lillian dreams of learning what

It does not really matter the field in which

makes people tick.” But Lillian knows that

Rebecca works. She is as compelling as an

understanding of that sort transcends biology

artist as she is in the chemistry lab. And she

and chemistry. She loves and appreciates

is as likely to use her quick wit as she is her

the philosophical questions too and the

incisive mind to engage with classmates or

speculation about the human condition.

guide students as a TA or a tutor. What’s

Language compels her, both English and Spanish, and she oversaw

more, Rebecca is not interested in a lot of attention. She even balks

the first issues of Cate’s Spanish-language magazine. She is also a

at the prospect of an assembly announcement from time to time,

vocalist and a dancer and is facile with the manner in which one

which probably says even more about the virtue of her motivation.

communicates beyond language. In truth, though, it does not

She likes to think, to work, to build schools on a Los Niños project,

matter what course of study Lillian pursues, for the manner of her

and discover something new in the lab. And it seems she feels like

scholarship regardless of the area of endeavor is ultimately most

the experience of each is reward enough. Her teachers who have had

critical – and there she is an intriguing blend of art and science,

Rebecca in class know something about reward now too.

passion and reason.

46

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

JOEL MILNOR REVO

ELLIOTT NOAH TORRANCE ROSENTHAL

University of Michigan

Reed College

Joel is a Vermont native who roots for

Since he arrived on the Mesa, Elliott has

Buffalo teams. That makes him tough

talked about the “long view,” wherein he

and hearty and rather used to adversity.

might study medicine, journalism, or maybe

Combine it with an impressive intellect,

history. He likes all and could do just about

a memorable sense of humor, and an

anything he sets his mind to. He is one of the

unflagging work ethic, and you have the

editors of El Batidor this year, so clearly he is

makings of a great and provocative student.

scratching that journalism itch. The sciences

Though Joel would joke often over the years

got a good deal of early attention from Elliott,

about his intention to attend Clown College,

but he seems smitten with history now. The

his jests simply obscure the seriousness of

common thread at least in regards to Elliott’s

purpose that drives him. And it has paid off, both for Joel and for

scholarship is very sharp logic and an intuitive sense of meaning

Cate. A recruited athlete, he could be playing baseball in college and

and importance. Perhaps Elliott’s access to such capabilities is the

pursuing studies far outside the Big Top. His work to earn that result

byproduct of a genuinely introspective nature. He often looks deep

has been conspicuous and impressive. And to see him pitch, or to

in thought. But he is just as likely to get everyone laughing with his

watch his no-hitter against Thacher this spring, is to recognize well-

remarkably dry wit as he is to withdraw. Indeed, the “long view” may

developed talent and execution. But Joel has been magnanimous

change over time, but Elliott is likely to be ready and able wherever

with his energies, leading our video yearbook effort, organizing the

his path takes him.

ever-popular Elimination Game, and serving as the Treasurer of the Student Senate. It seems we always win – regardless of the actual outcome – with Joel on the hill.

KENNA BROMLEY REYNER

DANIAAL HUSSAIN SAEED

University of Colorado, Boulder

Texas A&M University

Kenna was something of a celebrity when

Daniaal joined this community as a

she arrived at Cate, the girl who throughout

sophomore, filled with aspirations of a career

middle school had ridden her bike to and

in medicine, all kinds of ability, but shy and

from school – 26 miles round trip – as her

unsure of himself socially. To his great credit

way of reducing our dependence on fossil

he did not allow his discomfort to hold him

fuels. She arrived by bike here on the Mesa

back. He stretched himself in our quantitative

too, as full of conviction and purpose as her

disciplines, building the foundation for the

notoriety implied. She threw herself into the

very career he imagined when he arrived.

visual arts, ultimately becoming a remarkably

He seemed to find opportunity everywhere,

accomplished young artist. Foreign language,

and committed himself to taking advantage.

too, struck her fancy, leading in her senior year to the School Year

To see him in his final year as one of the heads of the International

Abroad program in Spain. Kenna’s path is as nuanced and distinctive

Club, a contributing varsity athlete, and a thoughtful public servant

as she is, governed by her great creativity and passion, her eagerness

is to recognize Daniaal’s agency in his own growth. He even did the

to stretch herself beyond the known, and her quest for the broadest

Yosemite trip again this year during Outing Week so that he might

understanding of the world in which she lives. No doubt she still rides

be a mentor to the sophomores. Such commitments require not only

her bike from time to time, but she is bound to be known for so much

courage and fortitude but also the inclination to trust ourselves – and

more in the coming years.

others. Daniaal shows all of those virtues and a host of others as well.

W W W. CATE . O R G

47

CLASS OF 2017

48

GHAZAAL GRACE SAHANI

OLIVIA WHITNEY SIEMENS

New York University

WITH HIGH HONORS Brown University

It took no time at all for Grace to find a home

Olivia is a master musician, twice selected

in this community. Her patient, comforting

to play at Carnegie Hall, and though she has

presence endeared her to students and faculty

been a mainstay of our orchestra for four

alike, and her positivity and poise made her

years, she has soloed here only once, just

immediately accessible. Arriving as a junior,

this year. It isn’t that she is trying to hide her

she quickly rose to leadership positions, not

talent; it just seems Olivia is more interested

simply because of her obvious talents, but

in the process of achieving something

because Grace is easy to trust. As a senior

than she is in the finished product. Of her

she is a prefect and one of the heads of the

academic work, which she produces at a

Young Women’s Forum. She is also a poet, a

similarly stratospheric level, Olivia admits,

contributor to the Cate Review, and, as one faculty member noted,

“I do love studying, even though that sounds weird.” Actually, in

“an effusive learner.” While the transition could not have been easy,

relation to Olivia, it doesn’t. The discipline of learning anything

especially given the number of athletic injuries Grace dealt with, we

compels her. She was no different on our volleyball team than she is

saw no apparent strain from Grace. Instead, we were greeted with a

with her violin or her calculator. Olivia relishes the chance to discover

welcoming smile, unending composure and maturity, and the kind of

something new, not so that she can show it off, but so that she can use

unselfish aspirations that make communities better, kinder, and more

it, perhaps to find some as yet undiscovered truth. The result will be

cohesive. The “Humans of Cate” project that she helped lead this fall

a life filled with inquiry, practice, process, and her own special music.

is simply testament to what Grace values.

What a maestra Olivia is!

LIANA MAXINE SCHMIDT

KATHERINE BURICH SMITH

New York University

Grinnell College

A faculty member once described Liana as

“I’m a (bleeping) crayon.” Kate carved herself

“a wonderfully intriguing paradox” because

into Cate School history with those words,

she is simultaneously grounded and on the

the first in a Tuesday Talk about the value

lookout for the next great adventure. Liana

of disappointment and the power of humor.

wants to know the world, and is well on

She is by nature something of a provocateur.

her way to that very education. She spends

That is conspicuous in her many renderings

summers abroad, last year in France with

on stage, even her ill-fated run as a crayon.

the Experiment in International Living,

But it’s also in her leadership of El Batidor, in

traveled to Singapore with our Round Square

her mastery of the written word, and in her

Delegation, and seems destined for the kind

thirsty scholarship. As one faculty member

of cultural competency that builds understanding around the globe.

observed, “Kate is one of the funniest and most serious people you

Her travels have also fired her interest in and understanding of design

will ever meet.” Both aspects have been in play here, leaving us aware

as she ponders the possibility of pursuing a career in architecture.

that laughter elicits learning and that aspiration can and should be a

In such pursuits her many intellectual skills are likely to be

light-hearted expression. Kate is the master of such balance, even as

complemented by a very independent nature, and the courage not to

she demonstrates an almost uncanny level of productivity. TA, soccer

follow any traditional path. Liana will surely do it her way, which will

captain, student librarian, and originator of the Cooking Club; clearly,

make her work and her journey all the more powerful and distinctive.

Kate knows how to get things done, and how to do it with flavor.

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

SERENA JIMYN SOH

HALIE TAN STRAATHOF

WITH HIGH HONORS Stanford University

WITH HONORS University of Southern California

If there is some important project to

There is no fear in Halie Straathof.

undertake or job that needs to be done well,

Opponents don’t intimidate her. Challenges

generally folks will ask Serena to lead it or do

don’t daunt her. Expectations don’t

it. The breadth of her abilities is as remarkable

discourage her. And mistakes don’t stop her.

as her unflagging energy, her generous

She is one of our leaders – a prefect, a sports

commitment, and her endearing warmth.

captain, and an unflappable teammate who

And no one on this Mesa has ever seen Serena

manages to imbue everyone around her with

perform at less than optimum levels. We

confidence. And that isn’t simply because we

worry about Serena’s being overloaded far

have learned to rely on Halie to take us or

more than she does. Maybe that’s because

teach us or lead us. It’s because she gives us all

when Serena is not working on some community-focused endeavor,

the impression that things will be fine however they turn out. We like

she is working in a lab somewhere solving real-world problems – like

being with her because she makes us feel good about ourselves. Sure,

STEM therapies for age-related macular degeneration. Of course,

she has led lots of Cate teams to victory, too, both on land and in the

she takes classes here too, but exceptional work in academic pursuits

water. She lights up classrooms just as decisively and she has shown us

is something we almost take for granted. We know that Serena will

that she can win art competitions as well. But the winning somehow

offer some brilliant observation or conclusion. Doesn’t she always?

seems secondary to the experience, especially when we have the good

Yes, but Serena’s genius is what she does beyond the expected – in

fortune to share it with Halie.

the unselfish ether where her virtue and her brilliance and her compassion color every noble responsibility she assumes.

COLIN JAY STEVENS

GABRIELLA ISABEL CARALDE TEODORO

University of Colorado, Denver

WITH HIGH HONORS Harvey Mudd College

Colin plays the drums with every fiber of his

Gabby shared with us all in her Tuesday Talk,

being. His emotion, his energy, his affection

“I was always a tiny one … the smallest on my

for his fellow man – it’s all as conspicuous as

kindergarten tee-ball team, the runt of all-star

his remarkable musicality. The experience of

soccer, the shortest shooter on my basketball

sound simply lifts him up in the same manner

team.” But she admitted too that she believed

it does his audience. He was a percussionist

that she was destined for something big. At

already when he came to Cate, as well as a

Cate, we don’t know that diminutive child.

curious and analytical student, and a talented

All we see is Gabby’s massive commitment

aquatic athlete. But it was clear that Colin’s

to her studies, her huge heart, her soaring

music called to him more profoundly than

musical voice, and her captivating dreams.

other pursuits. And he answered that call, taking on advanced

“Having a student like Gabby is one of the rewards of teaching,” said

independent work, studying with musicians outside this community,

a colleague recently. She is meticulous and thoughtful, able to see all

and taking a pastime and turning it into a career. A remarkably

the small details and the thematic elements that connect everything

empathetic young man, he noted last year, “No war has ever been

together. Gabby admits that it is hard sometimes to hope as she does,

started by music. Music brings people together. That’s what I want to

to distance herself from the days when expectations were small, but

do.” And as so many of his fans will acknowledge, that’s exactly what

she never concedes. And sometimes, when we need it the most, she

he’s done, building that beat and rhythm that reaches our very souls.

sings, and all is right with the world.

W W W. CATE . O R G

49

CLASS OF 2017

AMBRE (AMBER) CASSANDRE THIERY

GEORGIA BETHEL THOMPSON

McGill University

Trinity College Dublin

Amber hails from well east of here, from

Georgia hopes to work for NASA one day,

New York City and a town in the French

which seems a fitting ambition for a young

countryside. And she has brought with her

woman who is so adept at raising standards.

to Cate the best qualities of both places. She

She is as universally curious and as interested

can be the tough, gritty kid who likes to mix

as any student, captivated by everything from

it up on the basketball court. A member of

cellular biology to cellular communication.

our varsity team since her freshman year,

She reads voraciously and was one of the

Amber is known for her tenacity and skill as

students who worked with our architects to

well as for her refusal to shy from a collision.

help imagine a new Cate library. And she has

Such resolve and discipline are also on display

anyone or any idea. That very nature has made her one of our most

exacting in her standards. But there is a gentleness to Amber, too,

engaging and responsible prefects, for mentorship seems to be wired

and a principled nature that helps her stay true to her rural roots. She

into Georgia. And she is as likely to spend her time out of class using

proctors in our French lab and is conscientious in the manner that she

her skills to some community benefit – on Stream Team or by playing

maintains her relationships and supports her friends. Even a torn ACL

the viola in our orchestra. That may, in fact, be Georgia’s special gift –

her junior year couldn’t keep Amber down for long. She just wouldn’t

that she can find ways always to contribute meaningfully to the group,

let it.

whether the task is a challenging concerto or landing on Mars.

NICKOLAS WILLIAM THOMAS

ZACHARY LEWIS TOWBES

New York University

Berklee College of Music

Nick doesn’t do anything half-way. His

Zac is our Music Man. There doesn’t seem

interests completely compel him, leading

to be an instrument he can’t play, a melody

him to an array of memorable aptitudes

he can’t compose, a ballad he can’t sing, or a

and achievements. And most of them are

theory he can’t master. He is himself a series

quite conspicuous. Just stop by and listen

of synchronous notes, made melodic by the

to Nick play the tenor sax in our advanced

manner in which he conducts his life and

jazz ensemble. Or watch him on the

the focus with which he pursues his passion.

basketball court. Or ask to see the novel

There was a time, in fact, when Zac worried

he has been working on. Nick’s breadth

that he could not focus enough on his craft

of talent is impressive, but the manner in

at Cate, but he recognized, ultimately, that

which he has exercised it musically and athletically and artistically

the study and creation of sound is best enabled in the context of other

is particularly humbling. Even more heartening, Nick has achieved

disciplines and areas of endeavor. Zac is as precocious a student of

these things despite impediments that could well have shaken him

math or biology or history as he is of music. He is a teaching assistant

off course – changing schools, a medical diagnosis that essentially

and a cyclist, one who in his freshman year completed 10 legs of the

ended his athletic career, and the concurrent need to rebuild

bikeathon to help earn the community a free day. The lengths to

his priorities. But Nick met that adversity with resolve and the

which Zac goes to invigorate or inspire or support are extraordinary,

conviction that he knew better than anyone else what he is capable

which may well be why he became a musician.

of. Not surprisingly, he was right, too.

50

the grace and the eloquence to connect with

in the classroom, where Amber is tireless in her preparation and

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

CLASS OF 2017

MARIEL COMPTON VOGEL

ZHEZHENG (JASON) WANG

Princeton University

Cornell University

Ellie is our still waters. The well whose

Jason has done some remarkable things

depth we can only guess at. A young

over four years on the Mesa. He has been a

woman whose placid nature suggests that

determined and driven scholar, a generous

she knows something that we do not. By

and inviting friend, and a principled and

every academic measure, there is ample

empathetic citizen. Those very characteristics

proof of that. Ellie is brilliant and insightful,

led to his appointment as a prefect in our

analytical and intellectually empathetic.

freshman dormitory, for who better than

She can see truth and understand patterns.

Jason to help younger students understand

Our most difficult courses are always her

and respect their responsibility to this

favorites. But even when she demonstrates

community? But in truth we all got to know

such mastery, we sense she is still holding something back. We

Jason best last spring when he campaigned for student body president.

see her aspire, watched her work on the soccer field where she is a

There his generosity and natural inclination for service became more

skilled and dependable player, and read her articles in El Batidor.

conspicuous. And we heard the oft-repeated affirmation, “I love

We’ve seen her joy, too, in her friendships, in her scholarship, and

America.” What struck us all about that declaration was the second

in her peace. Certainly it is no accident that one of Ellie’s favored

word, not the third. If we were to sum Jason up, and articulate his

disciplines is the study of language. Not only does it increase her

many qualities, his capacity for love would surely be at the top of the

access to the ideas of others, but it suggests that quiet Ellie may well

list. And it is in the expression of that very thing that he has impacted

become one of our great communicators.

this community so deeply.

HENRY CLOW WALSH

THEODORE WOLCOTT WECKER

Middlebury College

Bowdoin College

Henry Walsh seems perpetually at ease. He

Teddy is our virtuous Tom Sawyer, the

is as comfortable in the company of adults as

charismatic guy who can make work look like

he is with his peers, is sincere and graceful

something else, something fun, something we

in every interaction, and can disarm even

all want to be part of. He was subtle about it

the soberest of characters with his dry, self-

in his early years, giving generously, working

effacing wit. He brought the house down in

hard, doing whatever he could to be helpful.

his Tuesday Talk, in large part because Henry

He became our man in the booth and the

is not afraid to laugh at himself. Perhaps that

mainstay of our theater tech team. He was

is because at his core, Henry has a certain

the man in the goal for our water polo team,

self-assurance born of a life that has ironically

a gritty and unselfish athlete. And he became

brought him into contact with places and forces bigger than he. He

the would-be engineer in science and math classes, the guy who could

is a lover of the outdoors and a fisherman, smitten with the wide

make things work. And soon everyone knew not only who Teddy was

open spaces and the mountains of his native Montana. He is a public

but also the great things he did. In his senior year, he occupies the

servant, having spent summers working to support Native Americans

most significant leadership position in the school. And yet he carries

on a nearby reservation and clearing trails with the Montana

the responsibility with a deftness and a sense of humility that are

Conservation Corps. Indeed, this young man who was once afraid

reminiscent of the leadership he long offered behind the curtain. His

of wind seems to have it at his back now, with a future as bright and

wisdom seems to be a byproduct not simply of his belief in himself

productive as befits a man of thought, of earth, and of big sky.

but also of his trust in and affection for everyone else. Work, play, or anything in between, we’ll happily join Teddy.

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CLASS OF 2017

ELIJAH CHARLES WEISS

EMILY DEEDEE ZHANG

Hamilton College

WITH HONORS Columbia University

Over the years, Elijah has been everyman at

Emily is easy to rely on. She has taken every

Cate. He has rendered some new character in

possible challenge Cate could throw at her

each performance that has hit the main stage,

and turned it into an opportunity to do

and in those moments we get to see Elijah

something unprecedented. Her scholarship

anew. For though he is not the characters

flows from a well of spirited independence,

he portrays, the renderings themselves

unfettered and essential, ready always to be

reveal him, show his sensitivity and insight,

expressed and refined. Her inclination to be

describe his affection for his fellow players,

of service is conspicuous both in the manner

and his genuine and well-meaning interest in

in which she engages her studies and the way

getting things right. He has been courageous

she interacts with the world, this year as head

throughout his tenure in pushing into fresh areas of endeavor, perhaps

of our Public Service Program. And she is no less impactful in the

to test his own willingness to learn something new. He has become a

exercise of her art or her athletics. She is strong and fast, a resolute

dancer, took up Japanese after nine years of Spanish, found himself

and daunting competitor. And everything seems to culminate in the

captivated by numbers, statistics, and economics, and became a

manner of her dance. She can do it all – hip hop, jazz, ballet – but

vocalist. There is something deeply gratifying about Elijah’s journey

whatever the genre, Emily’s movement simply reflects the creativity,

at Cate, because it is so broad in its impact and application, so gently

the versatility, the grace, and the power that we see in everything she

bold and innovative, and so clearly the product of Elijah’s own unique

is and does.

and generous agency.

NANYAN (NANCY) WU

ROBERT YUE ZHU

WITH HIGHEST HONORS Yale University

WITH HONORS Middlebury College

Nancy introduced herself to the Cate

Robert found the outdoors at Cate. In

community in dramatic fashion: with a

truth, he was already a gifted student when

traditional Chinese dance at Convocation.

he arrived – highly motivated, disciplined,

There we saw all the artistry, the precision,

and genuinely curious. He was adept

and the grace that are characteristic of

socially too, blessed with great empathy,

everything Nancy does. She is a magnificent

patience, and the inclination to listen. One

student – always attentive to nuance and

faculty member noted, “Robert helps others

subtlety, persistent in the face of challenge,

find their own strengths and voices instead

and a thoughtful, artful communicator. The

of telling them how to solve problems.” It

written word especially appeals to her, and

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is fitting, given his contemplative nature,

she parlayed that interest into her productive and exacting leadership

that Robert would gravitate to the backcountry, where presence

of our Tuesday Talk program. We even heard in that very venue of a

of mind and the ability to collaborate with peers is an absolute

student who had nightmares about not meeting Nancy’s deadline for

necessity. And he has explored at every turn, becoming certified in

his speech. But Nancy is really all about responsibility, not wrath. She

scuba diving, running rivers in his kayak, and scaling the rock faces

greets families as one of our head tour guides, converses comfortably

of Gibraltar. It seems that Robert will perpetually be in search of

in three languages, and is working on her fluency in American Sign

new frontiers – be those academic, geographic, or topographic.

Language. She is just as that dance portended – a most exquisite

And in such questing he is sure to find ever more opportunities to

rendering of human expression.

ask and answer the most important questions.

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CLASS OF 2017

W W W. CATE . O R G

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COMMENCEMENT THROUGH THE LENS

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1. French teacher Mamadou Pouye congratulates newly minted graduate Nicah Driza in the traditional receiving line. 2. Parents and family of graduating senior Musa Hakim celebrate as he receives his diploma. 3. Mason Mackall enjoys a laugh with college counselors Tamar Adegbile and Amy Giles. 4. Senior girls laugh while getting their picture taken in the Johnson Library just before Commencement.

5. Senior Nancy Wu spends her time in the Johnson Library before Commencement writing a letter. 6. Seniors Ya'Kuana Davis and Flora Hamilton proceed to the 104th Commencement ceremony. 7.

Emotions run high as friends say congratulations and goodbye to their classmates. 8. The senior class assembles on the Commencement stage before Headmaster Ben Williams begins his individual citations.

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7

6

8

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Departing Faculty and Staff NATHAN CLAY Nathan is the prodigal son

community. Most days, she can be found before or after work training for her next big race, Tough Mudder, or Ragnar Relay competition.

returned. A member of the Cate

The coaches and athletes alike are grateful for all the time and effort

Class of ’94, he brought to his work

she has provided in an effort to help others achieve their goals.

as a teacher all the personality,

Though she leaves us for new challenges, Shauna will always be a

creativity, cognitive power, and

key player in the development of our athletic training program and

insight that distinguished his tenure

protocols, which have grown both qualitatively and quantitatively

on the Mesa as a student. Nathan is

over the course of her tenure. We will remember her contributions

our DangerMan, our music man, our

in the same way we recall her unflappable nature, her thoughtful

mathematician, and our chemist.

assessments of our injuries, and her affirming efforts to get us well

He relishes a complex problem, a

and back on the field of play.

worthy discussion, a nice harmony, a really good guitar riff.

His teaching is both student centered and concept centered, and

SARAH KIDWELL Sarah came to us from Brown

he seems most compelled by the opportunity to inspire curiosity and evoke understanding. In three years at Cate he is distinctive for the

University, where she was a key

breadth of his teaching, for his inclination to share his time with the

player in the Communications

musicians in the community, and for his efforts to get both student

Office. Having come to that post

and faculty bands on stage. There is no more engaging companion

from CNN and NBC News, Sarah

in any endeavor than Nathan Clay. And the very genuineness that

was a master at capturing the

distinguishes his ubiquitous friendships also galvanizes his teaching.

nuances of an event or a person or a place. She came here to help us

We take some comfort in the fact that he leaves us, at least in the short term, to welcome a son into the world this summer and to

capture the essence of those very

spend time with his growing family. No doubt we will see him again

things on the Mesa and throughout

on this Mesa, doing all of the many things only Nathan can do.

the extended Cate family, and she has proved as masterful as we expected.

Her work with the Bulletin has set standards that few college

SHAUNA ERICKSEN For three years Shauna has dealt with our many bumps and bruises,

candor, which she balances with great appreciation and respect for

our sprains, our concussions, our

story and narrative. When Sarah prepares to tell a tale, you know you

shin splints, and our physical

are in for a treat.

therapy. She is a giver by nature,

She has dramatically upgraded all of our digital portals, oversaw the

interested in care and assessment,

rebuild our new website, increased the functionality of all externally

eager to move a patient from

facing information services, and increased the professionalism and

injury to stability to recovery. That

purpose of the marketing and communications office. To that very

inclination makes her presence

public work, she added the behind-the-scenes judgment and wisdom

on campus and at sporting events

that distinguish good practices and processes.

throughout Southern California

Indeed, everything that Sarah does is constructed so that she can

immensely reassuring. We trust that all will be well even if

measure its efficacy, adjust to need or demand, and ensure that the

something goes wrong. Shauna is there.

message is both coherent and easily received. Regardless of the media

In her tenure, she has helped grow the services offered by the athletic training department and has done a commendable job both preventing injuries and helping students return to doing what they love. An avid competitor herself, Shauna is a terrific role model for the

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publications can match. Her writing has a journalistic discipline and

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2017

at her disposal or the message that needs to be sent, Sarah is both artist and producer, author and director.

DEPARTING FACULTY AND STAFF

RICKY PAI For two years Ricky has driven

things he could do to help.

But as much as his many skills incline Charlie to take on new

from her home in San Luis Obispo to

responsibilities, his big heart is always in the classroom. Whether

our Mesa. That says a good deal about

he is working on velocity by firing a potato gun, calculating orbits

the level of commitment that Ricky

with the telescope, or simply engaging in repartee with his students,

shows to her work. Kind hearted, well

Charlie is the consummate teacher. His students have a host of

meaning, and endlessly diligent, Ricky

nicknames for Charlie, all of which are terms of endearment. The

has quickly carved out a nice place for

one we hear most frequently these days is Plum-Dog.

herself in our Chinese program. She

And in truth, Plum-Dog, I, like your students, could go on and on

has refined her teaching craft steadily,

about you. Despite your occasional efforts to be gruff, you can’t hide

always looking to colleagues and peers

the compassionate, good-hearted soul that brought you from industry

to discover new pedagogies and practices.

Summers for Ricky are a time to rebuild syllabi and to advance her own skills as a teacher. We had hoped to hang on to her a bit longer, despite the unreasonable commute. But we will settle for the time we had with her and the great service she offered to students of Chinese.

to teaching in the first place. If you came to make a difference in the lives of young people, you have more than met your goal. We are all your students, really, and very proud to be so.

SANDY PULIDO Sandy might have believed

CHARLES PLUMMER Charlie Plummer teaches

that running an emergency room was perfect training for life in a

Physics, the course that reveals the

boarding school. We certainly

intermingling of forces in the world

did, which is why we were so

and the way they act on all things

pleased to have her serve as our

and all people. It is the closest one

Director of Health Services. And

can get to pulling back the curtain

she did a masterful job in the role,

and finding the wizard. Charlie

organizing our efforts, formalizing

isn’t the wizard, though; he is the

our systems, and conveying all the

guy who isn’t fooled, the guy who

compassion and expertise that lead to good care giving. We had

sees what others miss, the realist

hoped that her tenure would be long, but new challenges call to

who is actually a romantic.

His tenure at Cate has been long and rich, taking him through a host of roles at the School. It’s Mr. Plummer’s algorithm that decides

her and we must part ways. We do so with great appreciation for the commitment Sandy showed this community and our best hopes for her future endeavors.

where people will sit at formal dinner, a formula so complex that not a single student has been able to decipher it yet.

He brought water polo to Cate, agreeing to serve as the School’s first coach and drawing on the experience he had playing at Bakersfield High School. It didn’t matter, of course, for Charlie Plummer can bring out the best in anyone, even in the pool. His teams thrived under his guidance, even the jv girls he coached in this, his final, season on the Cate pool deck.

Charlie has been just as impactful, though, as the school scheduler, a role he took on because he seemed to be the only one who could make the technology work for him. For a time, too, Charlie was our Dean of Faculty, a position he took because he knew there were

W W W. CATE . O R G

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DEPARTING FACULTY AND STAFF

MARI TALKIN

ALEXX TEMEÑA

Mari came to us initially to

This was a homecoming year for

teach English part time. She was

Alexx, a chance for her to return in

finishing up a Ph.D. program and

a new capacity to the community

working on a novel she hoped to

she so thoughtfully served as a

have published. Seven years later

student. Hired to work in the

she has finished that degree, but

admission office and the residential

the book is still unfinished. That

program, Alexx proved to be both

is because, for the vast majority of

the ambassador and the counselor

that time, Mari has thrown herself

that we knew she would be. Patient

into her classes at Cate.

and expressive, an empathetic

Her focus on writing has drawn so many of our most precocious student authors to her. They find in her not only guidance and

listener and a great communicator, Alexx raised the profile of Cate wherever she went.

a willing mentor, but support, belief, encouragement. The only

And she proved similarly magnetic on campus. Her mindfulness

thing Mari seems to enjoy more than the written word is an open

exercises attracted students and faculty members alike,

mind and the opportunity to consider ideas, perspectives, and

contributing to a level of community composure commensurate

possibilities.

with that which Alexx projects perpetually. And being more like

When she is not teaching, Mari is likely working with the

Alexx is always a worthy aspiration.

Women’s Forum or supporting Jess Block in our theater. There too we find Mari facilitating expression, helping actors share meaning and truth, and helping a colleague bring out the best in her artists.

It has been a magical sojourn for us with Mari, and though we are sorry to see her go we are heartened by the reason.

That long-simmering novel seems destined to be finished soon, and finally Mari’s remarkable and distinctive voice will find a far broader audience. Those hungry readers will surely find the same gift for expression and arc of story that we have so enjoyed these last seven years at Cate.

FACULTY AND STAFF ANNIVERSARIES 5 Years Colin Donovan Hallie Preston Amy Giles John Knecht José Powell Sarah Preston David Soto Rachel Van Wickle Beth Wilson

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10 Years Anna Fortner Jamie Kellogg Jana Ransom Wade Ransom Nikki Yamaoka

CAT E BULLET IN / S UM M ER 2016

15 Years Matt Perlee 20 Years Juarez Newsome Jose Luis Estrada John Swain

25 Years Gilberto Ortega John Tilton David Wood

35 Years Fidencio Celio Juan Hernandez Tano Vega

W W W. CATE . O R G

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CAMP CATE 2017 On Friday, June 9, hundreds of

After alumni lingered over brunch

assigned dormitories before heading to the

in Raymond Commons and read local

parents of alumni, faculty, families, and

Weigand Community Center for a late

newspapers in the McIntosh Room, the

friends – came together to celebrate Camp

night of music, fire pits, and fun.

annual Mesa Tours departed from the Class

Cate 2017. Attendees arrived throughout

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gathering, alumni made quick stops at their

members of the Cate community – alumni,

An early Saturday call time did not

of 1985 House Admission Building. Recent

the afternoon, greeted by the Camp Cate

deter alumni from toeing the starting line

graduates (and sisters) Eva Herman ’17

banner overhead and an enthusiastic

for the 34th annual Mesa Race. After a

and Victoria Herman ’15 guided alumni

welcoming committee at registration along

debrief of the course map, Race Director

and families on a walking tour of the

Cate Mesa Road. The weekend started

Tim Smith fired the gun, and more than

old and new buildings on campus. Upon

with a visit to the Archives as alumni

30 runners set the pace along the Day

returning, Eva said, “The tour was great.

gazed through editions of El Batidor and

Walkway. After trailing the lead runner for

Alumni wanted to visit their old dorm

The Mesan for a trip down memory lane.

much of the 2.3-mile race, Austin Ditz ’07

rooms so we made sure to spend extra

That evening, as clouds rolled over the

used an outstanding kick in the final stretch

time in Schoolhouse and High House.” By

Pacific Ocean, guests gathered at Mesa

to finish in 1 place in just over 11 minutes.

midmorning, Camp Cate attendees shifted

House for the Camp Cate Kick-Off Party.

Adrian Walsh ’12, a former collegiate

their attention to a special Headmaster’s

Ben Williams welcomed alumni and their

runner at Middlebury College, finished as

Hour in the Johnson Library. Following

families back to the Mesa as they enjoyed

the top female runner, just seconds behind

updates from Admission, Advancement,

local tacos from Oxnard and beverages

Austin. In addition to many great efforts

and College Counseling directors, Ben

provided by Firestone Brewery. Foggy skies

on a course that traverses much of campus,

Williams gave a State of the School

opened up and turned into a picturesque

one noteworthy finish was by longtime

address. The meeting concluded with an

sunset as the Headmaster turned his

faculty member Gary Pierce. It was Gary’s

appearance by longtime Cate matriarch,

remarks toward that of longtime faculty

first ever Mesa Race! After the race, both

Betty Woodworth. In front of a full

member Charlie Plummer. Charlie retired

participants and spectators were treated to

Johnson Library audience, Ben announced

in June after 33 years as a teacher, coach,

amazing coffee at Modern Language Chair

the new name of the Middle Mesa Road –

and mentor at Cate. Ben presented Charlie

David Wood’s Day Walkway Coffee Stand.

“Woodworth Lane.” In honor of the decades

with a Book of Memories that included

David set up his espresso maker at 7:00

of commitment by Betty, Stan, and the

letters, stories, and photographs submitted

a.m., and clearly picked a perfect location –

entire Woodworth family, Betty graciously

by alumni, faculty, and friends. The

he served two pounds of coffee until 12:30

accepted the engraved street sign, as well as

Plummer family will be missed! After the

p.m.!

a standing ovation from alumni. You will

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st

C A M P C AT E

hanging below the peaks of the Santa Ynez Mountains, alumni were treated to an incredible setting to enjoy dinner with friends new and old. Memories flooded conversations from table to table while recent graduate Zac Towbes ’17 played acoustic guitar and sang to provide an idyllic atmosphere. Math teacher Frank Griffin opened remarks and took alumni back to their time on the Mesa with references to popular music of the era. Kevin Ha ’17, a local graduate from Carpinteria and champion tennis player, talked about his Cate experience and the connection he feels as a new alumnus.

Larie Trippet ’67 and Roy Jones ’67 gather at the Class of 1985 House Admission Building before the 50th reunion dinner.

notice the new street sign on your next visit

with a chance to remember and honor

to Cate!

classmates and faculty no longer with

While parents focused on alumni

us. Held in the Katharine Thayer Cate

Before the Muffet’s Tuffets arrived for dessert, trustee Amy (Mimi) Brown ’92 spoke to conclude the evening. Mimi, who lives in Hong Kong with her family, discussed the growing Cate community in Asia, evident at the recent Asia Summit

meetings, catching up with former

Memorial Chapel, the annual Camp

classmates and faculty, and shopping at the

Cate Memorial Service paid homage to

Blue Ewe (new school store), children of

those recently passed, featuring piano

alumni participated in Junior Camp Cate

performances by Julia Farner ’18. Former

activities. Led by Kate Smith ’17, Junior

English teacher Gaby Edwards delivered

Camp Cate gave children ages 4-11 an

special, upbeat remarks in memory of

opportunity to meet other alumni kids

Frank Sykes. Following the service, alumni

and have some fun! The Junior Camp Cate

gathered at the Class of 1985 House

program included arts and crafts, guided

Admission Building for the Headmaster’s

attempts on the climbing wall, and a Mesa-

Sunset Reception. With a crisp, clear view

wide scavenger hunt. A special thank-you to

of the Channel Islands, alumni across class

our Junior Camp Cate counselors – many

years had the opportunity to connect,

provided endless laughter and noise within

of whom recently graduated from Cate –

tour the new building, and enjoy violin

the collective walls of the Fleischmann

for making the weekend a special one for

music by Olivia Siemens ’17. Awards

Gymnasium. By our unofficial count, the

children of alumni.

were presented to the winners of the

7’s walked away with the overall victory.

Following lunch in the Class of 1981

Mesa Race as well as those who traveled

held in May of 2016, where more than 130 members of the Cate community from nine different countries gathered in Hong Kong for a weekend of Caterelated programming. She shared her passion for Cate and why she feels it’s important to continue supporting the many programs offered on the Mesa. To cap off the evening’s activities, a spirited game of dodgeball between the 2’s and 7’s

Three days, 300 people, the

Amphitheatre, more than 50 hikers joined

farthest to attend the reunion festivities.

recollection of countless memories, and

Outdoors Program Director Peter Bonning

David Hoskot ’72 and his wife, Janis, took

the making of many more – Camp Cate

on the 6-mile roundtrip hike to Bee Camp.

home top prize: the couple traveled 7,284

2017 was, in the words of one alumnus,

The “conga line” of walkers was reminiscent

miles from Surfer’s Paradise, Australia, for

“an incredible event.” We hope you are

of an early 90s junior year Outings Week

David’s 45 reunion!

feeling renewed, nostalgic, and eager to

trip to the Kern; the views of the Mesa and

th

As the sun descended, guests made

encourage your friends to attend their

the Carpinteria Valley from the ridgeline

the short walk to Thayer Peck Field and

next reunion year. The dates are already

were magnificent. We hope that the poison

the Nelson D. Jones ’48 Stables Courtyard

set for June 8-10, 2018. So, 3’s and 8’s –

oak exposure was limited!

for dinner and dessert. With lights

get ready! We can’t wait to welcome you

across the beautiful red barns and clouds

“home” next summer.

Saturday’s evening program started

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1

4

1. Amy (Mimi) Brown ’92 scales the climbing wall. 2. Vanessa Quintanilla ’12, Daniel Shin ’12, and Taylor Chatman ’12 at Mesa House. 3. Rawlings Skelton (Chris Skelton ’02) zips down the line as fellow Jr. Camp Cate lambs watch in awe. 4. Erik Vogt-Nilsen, Fernando Hurtado ’12, and Steven Blasberg ’12 help themselves to a Muffet’s Tuffets for dessert. 5. Emma Birrell ’12 and Georgie Walker ’12 embrace at Camp Cate. 6. Counselor Christian Herman ’17 advises Jr. Camp Cate lambs as they wait patiently for their turn on the climbing wall. 7. Ian White ’47 reads copies of El Batidor in the Cate Archives. 8. Jorden Kemper ’07, Ben Anschutz ’07, Hayley Robinett ’07, and Austin Ditz ’07 head to Mesa House for the Camp Cate Kick-Off Party.

9. Hosts Ben and Ginger Williams watch as the Ram (Carson Williams ’19) heads to welcome guests for the Camp Cate Kick-Off Party at Mesa House.

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C A M P C AT E

1947 From left: Ian White, Mark Orton

1967 From left: Charles Callery, Rick Huntress, Bev Jones, Larie Trippet, David Harrah, Roy Jones, Parmer Fuller

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1972 First row from left: John Perkins, Jens Rosenkrantz, Donald Lougee, Nat Wilson, David Hoskot Middle row from left: Alec McAndrew, Henry Noonan, Ronald Kershaw Back row from left: Win Shiras, Jay Caldwell ’71, Brad Roberts, Bruce King, Ryan Bates

1977 First row from left: Ken Riley, Thomas Alston, David Waterfall, Kirk Phelps, Greg Clow Middle row from left: Arden Kwong ’76, David Wisnom III, Peter Koenig, Jim McClintock, Richard Stull, Tod Burton, Ren Moore Back row from left: John Rupert, Mark Fei, Philip Hench, Robert Conner, Christopher Clark, John Rutter W W W. CATE . O R G

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1982 From left: David Zuckerman, Matt Swinden, Mike Morse

1987 Front from left: John Tarlton, Mike Morris, Arthur Conner, Hilary Bauer-Wendel, Heather Jackson, Christine Hooker, Amy Dorra Middle from left: Kirk Watanabe, Karen Meeder Wintringham, Colin Drake, Bruce Croker, Daniel Emmett, Lindy van der Reis Yurich, Cassie McCord Hettleman, Robin Lin, Julie Diebenow Back from left: Shana Lynch Arthurs, Andrea Keller, Leigh Crawford, Jill Gordon, Jane Shepherd Dick, Charlotte Brownlee ’85, Sarah Richards Gansa

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C A M P C AT E

1992 First row from left: Amy (Mimi) Brown, Amanda Wayne Dolan, Tasha Gould, Lisa Stanson, Mara Krieger Sweeney, Dick Filippini Middle row from left: Michael Coffey, Erik Van Wingerden, Nick Kappler, Travis Parsons, Tim Winton, Matt Reilly, Sam Hansen, Tania Shaw Abrahams Back row from left: Charlie Casey, Jenny Dearborn, Alex Semple, Joshua Conviser, Brooks Stratmore, Matthew Ray

1997 First row from left: Desiree Fernstrom Lee, Margaux Froley, Carolyn Van Wingerden, Erica Altman Delaney, Scott Claassen, Patrick Ko, Junius Ho Second row from left: Ross Flournoy, Ariel Morris Spector, Robin Freeman, Camille Freeman, David Amerikaner, Nancy Worthington, Natalie Moulton-Levy Third row from left: Anne Schaefer, Larissa Brantner James, Alexis Riding-Rice, Roxane Schlumberger Hume, Jamie Bowers, Kevin Gough, Jeff Theimer, Casey McCann, Sean Mortland, Whitney Birdwell, Ben Sprague Back row from left: Ben Boyden, Dave McDonough, David Kim, Eric Hong, Ji Kim, Alonzo Maldonado, Connie Mittendorf W W W. CATE . O R G

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2002 First row from left: Brad McCammack, Sophia Hall, Robert Hodge, Emily Horowitz, Christopher Lyons Middle row from left: Craig Nolan, Nicole Bierig Jordan, Amber Oleson LaFevers, Ryan LaFevers, Leone Price Back row from left: Nick Ditmore, Cody Short, Nick Altman, Alex Kaufman

2007 Front from left: Brad Wittwer, Claire de L’Arbre, Julia Borden, Verena Chu, Mina Kaneko, Sofia Martinez, Ben Anschutz, Stephen Hassman, Lydian Blossom, Egu Ramanathan Middle from left: Grant Smith, Pooja Dharwadkar, Will Conrad, Van Dien, Hayley Robinett, Garrett Wilson, Betsy Black Wilson, Eddie Vona, Kyle Hester Back from left: Michael Hodge, Christopher Alvarez, Kevin Chu, Julian Roque, Timothy Su, Kaitlin Mitchell, Austin Ditz, Jorden Kemper, Marcus Rance, Allison Prather Heitzinger, Nathan Heitzinger

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2012 First row from left: Vanessa Quintanilla, Lisa Huang, Vanessa Lizarraga, Sarah Griffin, Stephanie Duong, Stephanie Flores, Ruth Kwon Second row from left: Marguerite Mannix, Lela Puckett, Erin Griffin, Emma Birrell, Annie Weis, Georgie Walker, Bill Pomerans, Emily Nguyen, Sarah Cohen, Adrian Walsh, Charlotte Bowles, Denali Tietjen, Isabella Thomas, Hadley Bracken Middle row from left: Faith Donaldson, Fernando Hurtado, Scott Sinclair, Michael Castaneda, Ian Keneally, Maiya Roddick-Fuller, Sabrina Herman, Austin Lokre Back row from left: Megan Cunnane, Alissa Jared, Miles Barney, Tim Annick, Steven Blasberg, Blake Wands, Taylor Chatman, Jose Esqueda, Kel Mitchel

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C L A S S NO T E S

in Memoriam JOHN PARSONS WADE ‘48 August 2, 1929 - April 30, 2017 John Wade passed away peacefully on April 30, 2017 in San Antonio, TX. Wade was born in St. Louis, MO. He attended Cate from 1943 to 1946 and graduated from Hill School in Pennsylvania. In 1945 Cate French teacher Mr. Vick wrote, “He has an excellent attitude toward the School and toward his place in it.”

Wade served in the Air Force in Germany during the Korean War and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1956. He retired in 1986 after a long career with Owens-Illinois Glass. Wade enjoyed San Antonio and was a member of the Rotary Lions Club. A lifetime athlete, he enjoyed skiing, tournament tennis, and golf.

Wade is survived by his wife Joan, sons Sam and Henry, and step-children Stephanie and Stewart.

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C L A S S NO T E S

FRANK SYKES December 9, 1927 - April 1, 2017

Even to say the name Frank Sykes is

there earned high honors in literature and

exemplary for other qualities and talents.

for some of us to evoke a larger-than-life

geography. There he also learned the game

He was widely read and led a truly literary

character whose heroic story is right out of a

of rugby, at which he was famously a natural.

life. He had a gift for words, and he relished

Horatio Alger novel. If you knew Frank back

He joined the army and played rugby on

language. To listen to him read a sonnet

in the 70s and 80s, you knew of his humble

duty in far-flung places like Singapore and

aloud, or even make a soccer announcement

working-class origins in the industrial county

Hong Kong. He returned home to teach

in assembly, was sheer pleasure. He had

of Yorkshire, which bred a kind of toughness

school in the Midlands north of London and

a resonant voice, a sly wit, and wonderful

that he took great pride in. He described his

played for club teams until he was chosen

timing. He was asked to speak at graduation

upbringing in a chapel talk once:

to be on the elite British Isles team that flew

more than any other faculty member, and

to South Africa to play in 1955, and later to

often gave the formal toast at fancy dinners

Australia and New Zealand. According to

for trustees. But fancy he was not, nor

of English people live. People in such areas

many die-hard rugby fans, it was the most

pedantic nor stuffy – just possessed of a

identify themselves fiercely with their local

glorious team Britain ever assembled.

naturally eloquent savoir faire, with a touch

“I grew up in one of those dirty industrial towns where, in fact, the majority

region, each of which has its strongly defined

of the down-to-earth Yorkshire bloke. I

decades later, occasionally you’d hear that

remember that in conversation he’d reply

but none can compare with mine because I

some visitor from Britain being toured by

“aye” rather than “yes,” and his expression

am a Yorkshireman, and just to make that

the admissions office and passing Frank in

when amazed was “Cracky!” The best

statement is to announce to the world what

the halls would exclaim, “Was that Frank

compliment he could give to a performance

one stands for. ... Yorkshiremen are honest,

Sykes? THE Frank Sykes?” Really, he was

on the field or in the classroom was to nod

thrifty, and hard working; they’re down

as famous in Britain as Joe Montana or Joe

and pronounce, “Luvly, luvly.” When I

to earth, unimpressed by affectation, and

Namath in this country. At Cate he was the

arrived in the English Department here in

(under their dour exterior) warm hearted

beloved varsity soccer coach for many years,

1979, Frank was my office mate, and I’m

and friendly. We do have our detractors, and

as inspiring to his coaching colleagues as

sure that my entrée into the male bastion

my wife, who is a Geordie, is rather typical

to his players. He took his teams to Britain

of Cate then was successful partly because

of the envious outsider to our culture.”

every summer to play boys there, and his

Frank Sykes, this uber jock and rugby hero,

Cate kids would describe people on the

this witty English bon vivant, was my friend.

Frank won a scholarship to the local “public school,” where he was a star athlete;

streets of London calling out, “Hey, Frank

he studied hard there and made it to

Sykes!”

university – the first in his family – and 82

When Frank was teaching at Cate

speech patterns and peculiar social customs,

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But the Frank that I knew was equally

In so many ways, Frank was a man’s man; but that is not at all to suggest that he regarded women with anything less than

C L A S S NO T E S

equal respect. I remember that back then I

that this was the start of my intellectual

reunion with Frank’s old rugby mates, or a

was mad about the novels of British writers

enlightenment, but it would not be true.

visit with Nicola and their granddaughters in

Margaret Drabble and Doris Lessing, which

For the next few years I read every available

Baltimore. They traveled all over the world,

my other colleagues took no interest in, but

adventure book about spies, war at sea, war

even after Frank was badly disabled by his

Frank read one of the books and announced,

in the air, books featuring Biggles in his

stroke in 1995.

“My god! She’s better than Joseph Conrad.”

Sopwith Camel dogfighting the Hun over

Those of you who knew Mr. Sykes in

When we started the writing period

Flanders; Bulldog Drummond beating the

the late 90s and early 2000s know that final

in the mid-80s, Frank occasionally wrote

world’s spy rings and defending the British

heroic chapter of his life, when cruel fate

with his class, and I treasure the few of

Empire with his bare fists; books about

dealt him a stroke that stole away his ability

his autobiographical pieces that remain.

boarding schools where the fourth form

to speak, read, or write. For this to happen

Here’s one called “The Library at Batley,”

always outwitted the masters but redeemed

to someone so gifted as a reader, a writer, a

his hometown. I’ll read just parts, which

themselves on the sports field. Trash, of

teacher, and a raconteur – the irony of it kind

convey his early delight in reading, his keen

course – all of it – but well-written trash,

of took your breath away. But Yorkshireman

attention to detail.

I believe. And since at school we never

Frank had no self pity in him. He soldiered

read anything written after 1900, there

gracefully on, coaching track at Cate and

used – the large lending library and

was plenty of scope for progression in my

being read to by a team of students and

reference section, the reading room that

outside reading. I moved on to HG Wells,

faculty who would meet him in their free

is the warmest place in town for the aged

JB Priestley, GK Chesterton, Bernard Shaw

periods in the library. After a few years,

and the idle, and the juvenile department

– writers who would be considered classics

of course, these were kids who had never

on the second floor. As a boy I couldn't

now, I suppose – and eventually all the

known his voice, his wit, his mesmerizing

wait for my 10th birthday when I could

exciting Americans like Steinbeck, Sinclair

stories and speeches. But his fine character

become an official borrower in this

Lewis, Saroyan, writing about that magical

shone through, and they knew his courage,

department. We had a few books at home

country that we knew from the movies.

his dignity, and his profound good nature,

“Its facilities have always been well

which were maybe even more inspiring.

of course – a dictionary, an encyclopedia

“And so the process has continued.

published by a soap manufacturer, a book

Perhaps there aren't so many magical worlds

of medical information, and a collection

left in the pages of fiction, and perhaps I have

ended, and I know you will agree that it is

of hardbacks kept like museum pieces in a

developed more of a taste for nonfiction,

comforting to think that during those 90

glass-front bookcase.

but I still find myself under the spell of the

years he was his whole self for almost 70 of

printed word.”

them, leading a full and rich life.

“My 10th birthday fell on a Friday,

Frank was almost ninety when his story

As much as he loved reading and

Here are some final words from the

market day, when my mother did the weekly

sport, Frank loved travel, and here’s where

obituary Marty and Nicola sent us last week:

shopping in town. On this occasion she

he found his perfect mate in Marty, who

“His was a rare combination of qualities that

collected an application form that she had

is in her own way another larger-than-life

made him both an outstanding role model

to sign, and she returned home laden with

character – forthright and outspoken, game

for students and a beloved schoolmaster. On

the usual bags and baskets just as it started

for an adventure, plucky and resilient.

one hand he possessed the steely toughness

to snow. I ran home from school to meet

Marty’s idea of the dream trip was riding

and personal discipline of a great athlete;

her, and by this time the snow was coming

ponies across Iceland, which she did one

on the other he approached life with the

down heavily. I remember it clearly – it was

summer – miserably cold and damp the

humble, probing curiosity of a lifelong

Christmas card snow, soft and gentle, not

whole time, and happy as a clam. Also like

scholar. He was always the true English

the icy stuff that accompanies blizzards, and

Frank, she is tough, a survivor. A couple

gentleman, proud of his heritage and early

it only added to the magic of the occasion.

of years ago I heard that she was battling

life and so much admired in later life for his

I ran the entire mile and a half into town

advanced cancer and telephoned her up in

courage and determination.”

through this white wonderland to that other

Seattle to express my sympathy – but she

wonderland that awaited me on the second

was having none of that! “Oh, Gaby,” she

floor of the library. It was as exciting as that!

piped up, “my body LOVES chemotherapy.”

which was most convenient since that was

“At this point it would be nice to say that I was athirst for knowledge and

Indeed. And I would add, “Cracky!

What a luvly man.”

– Gaby Edwards

With Frank she shared a zest for life, always full of plans for the next trip, the next W W W. CATE . O R G

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E N DPAG E

Writing to Pictures

Pictures and trinkets from travels and life comfortably puzzle together on the bulletin board in Sarah Kidwell's office.

The assemblage of images affixed to one of my office walls has always been a conversation starter. When people wander in, they usually take a moment or two to examine some of the items – postcards, photographs, bookmarks, souvenir bags, old press passes, name badges, even my academic regalia – to name a few. Everything is spread out over a large blue fabric-covered board, in no particular order, and individually held in place by clear pushpins. I’ve both collected and culled this visual library over the years, occasionally removing one entry and inserting another to keep the display fluid and dynamic.

I, too, enjoy looking at them, and they often provide a form of inspiration 84

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or help me in some way to focus on my work. Imagery, in fact, has been at the crux of much of my career, first as a television news producer and later during stints in higher ed communications offices, as well as at Cate. Combining images with just the right words at just the right time produces a sweet spot of creativity for me, and generally I need to be looking at something more than a computer screen to help me get there.

By taking just a few steps out my office door, though, I can train my sights on other beautiful images – of the living variety. The dazzle of the Mesa, set against the rocky outcrops of the Santa Ynez Mountains, greets me instantly, giving me enough of nature’s technicolor

glory to set my mind in motion. And that’s worked for years – six, in fact – which is how long I’ve been putting together Cate’s story in words and pictures, and occasionally in video.

The invigoration required for creativity has an arc, I’ve found, and so now I’m off to tell other stories and allow someone new to step in and tell Cate’s. So I’ll disassemble my board, slowly, and put all my images into a large packet. They will find a new home at some future date – one I can only hope will be as rich with visuals, ideas, and inspiration.

Servons, Sarah Kidwell

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Greg H. Kubicek '74 Chairman Vancouver, WA Monique F. Parsons '84 President Glencoe, IL J. Wyatt Gruber '93 Treasurer San Francisco, CA Henry F. Burroughs '68 Vice President Jackson, WY

LIFE TRUSTEES Richard D. Baum '64 Kenwood, CA James F. Crafts, Jr. San Mateo, CA Dan A. Emmett '99 Santa Monica, CA George B. James San Francisco, CA Nelson D. Jones '48 San Marino, CA TRUSTEES

Eric C. Taylor '80 Vice President Los Angeles, CA

Jessica Bowlin CPO President Pacific Palisades, CA

Benjamin D. Williams IV Secretary / Headmaster Carpinteria, CA

Mimi Brown '92 Hong Kong

Kate C. Firestone Solvang, CA

J.C. Massar Pasadena, CA

Jay Dorion Assistant Headmaster

Stephen J. Giusto '80 Laguna Beach, CA

Casey McCann '97 Santa Barbara, CA

Hallie Greene Director of Strategic Initiatives

David Horowitz Irvine, CA

Edward R. Simpson '86 Los Angeles, CA

Frank A. Huerta '85 Santa Barbara, CA

Marianne Sprague Santa Barbara, CA

Jack Jackson '95 Alumni Council President Fresno, CA

Lisa B. Stanson '92 Newport Beach, CA

Palmer Jackson, Jr. '82 Santa Barbara, CA Janet C. Jones Santa Monica, CA Chris Maloney '80 Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Sebastian Man '76 Rosalind Emmett Nieman '89 Hong Kong Pacific Palisades, CA Sheila Marmon '90 Los Angeles, CA

FACULTY ADVISORY TRUSTEES John Swain Faculty/Art Stephanie Yeung Faculty/English EX-OFFICIO STAFF Charlotte Brownlee ‘85 Assistant Head, External Affairs

Lisa Holmes Director of Studies Peter Mack Director of Residential Life Lindsay Newlove Director of Advancement Sandi Pierce Assistant Head, Finance and Operations 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