On Campus: Volume 1, 2023/2024

Academic Year 2023/2024 • Volume One

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

A Newsletter for Families, Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends

INTRODUCING HEED!

HIGHLY EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION DAY

For more photos and a description see pages 14 and 15

KEITH HARING ASSEMBLAGE PROJECT Our annual art theme for the year is inspired by one of Keith Haring's famous sayings, "Art is for Everybody!" Haring is an artist to whom everyone can relate. His wonderful and iconic humans take joy in living and exploring what the world has to offer. After learning about his work and style, students were thrilled to create their own pieces. Each student artist painted one of Haring's iconic figures and then explored how to manipulate typography to create a background which gave them the opportunity to add their own voices to the piece. Finally, the pieces were installed in Mr. Weiss's office for the year for all to enjoy!

LEADING

THE WAY Years ago, I was interviewed by Roger Durling of the

Santa Barbara Independent using a famous collection of prompts referred to as the Proust Questionnaire, and it was such fun, I decided to use the same format to highlight Crane Staffulty. In our inaugural interview last year, I had a great conversation with Director of Marketing & Communications, Kristen '96 Peralta. This year, I talked with John Pagano, Crane’s Director of Engineering, first Experiential Education Coordinator, and a mentor for the Teaching Fellows Program. John started at Crane in 2022 and has already taken campus by storm with his creativity, energy, and vibrantly patterned shirts!

Joel Weiss: What is your favorite food?

John Pagano: Easy—macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, and mushy steamed broccoli.

JW: Least favorite food?

JP: Curry. When I go out of town, I know what my wife will be having for dinner! I always smell it in the kitchen when I get home.

JW: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

JP: “Really.” I really like the word “really.” I just really feel that it really adds to every conversation.

JW: Which living person do you most admire?

JP: My dad. He has been such a good role model for me as a parent. I never would have thought I’d end up with seven kids, so having a solid role model became super important.

As my parents age, my mom has developed health issues, and seeing my dad be a strong, stable rock for her is very admirable.

JW: What is the quality you look for most in a friend?

JP: Honesty and directness. Life is too busy, and I’m too loud, sensitive, and passionate to have time for anything else.

JW: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

JP: This—teaching. I had a non-traditional path. For many years I wasn’t able to dedicate the time to go back to school, so now to have my MA degree and be doing this job at Crane in the way that I am able to…it’s definitely what I’m most proud of. Quitting school was my biggest regret, so being here now is my proudest moment.

JW: What is your greatest extravagance?

JP: For me, it’s more about experiences, so I’d say traveling is my greatest indulgence. Now that the kids are

older, my wife and I are trying to catch up on all the travel we weren't able to do earlier. When we go somewhere, we really live it up! Nothing is off the table. On a relaxing vacation, I want someone to wait on me, a nice, non-budget room, and a pool. We both work very hard, so we deserve it.

JW: Which talent would you most like to have?

JP: Musicality. I can’t sing or read sheet music, and never had any lessons, but I feel like that’s something I could really get into.

JW: Who are your favorite writers?

JP: There are three writers I enjoy the most and I’ve been lucky enough to meet all three. Isaac Marion writes short stories and self-publishes, which allows for a lot of creativity outside of mainstream writing. I love Anne Lamott’s non-fiction and how she is grounded in spirituality but also a realist. Clive Barker is another favorite since I’m a big fantasy/sci fi/horror fan and he ticks all those boxes; spending an evening talking with him after Dragon Con was a true highlight.

JW: What is your most treasured possession?

JP: My wedding ring. When we got married, I surprised my wife by designing rings around our wedding theme of “polka dots and robots.” Our custom rings have Mr. and Mrs. Robot images engraved on them. When I think about what I would be devastated to lose, or what I want to be buried with, it’s my ring.

Joel J. Weiss Head of School 3

Meet the

New Trustees

Elizabeth Chandler

Marc Jones

Elizabeth is the parent of Daphne in first grade, Florence in fourth grade and Isadora in seventh grade. She is the cofounder and previous Editor-in-Chief of Goodreads.com.

She was previously the Culture Editor for C California Style Magazine, and an editor and reporter for The Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. She has also written for Time Magazine, Women's Wear Daily, and other national publications. Elizabeth has a BA in English with a minor in human biology (pre-med) from Stanford University, an MA in journalism from USC as well as serving on the board of Worldreader.

Marc is the parent of Skylar in first grade and Sydney in third grade. He is the Managing Director of Jones Equity Partners. He began his professional career with Paine Webber just prior to graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1992.

After successful periods with both A.G. Edwards and Sons and Prudential Securities as a vice president, he left to open his own advisory business.

Samantha Daly Sam is the parent of Ryan in fourth grade and Ellie in seventh. She is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UCSB. Previously she was an associate professor at University of Michigan. Sam is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a BS in mechanical engineering and an MA and PhD from Caltech.

Yutopia Essex Yutopia is the parent of Harper in the fifth grade and 4-yearold Billie Gene. She is the Director of Human Resources and the Director of People and Belonging at Cate School. Prior to this, she was the Benefit Administrator and Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Harvard-Westlake School. Yutopia is a graduate of Ball State University and The Wharton School of Business.

Ryan Gellert Ryan is the parent of Nora in third grade and Julian in seventh. He is chief executive officer (CEO) of Patagonia Works and Patagonia, Inc. Before joining Patagonia, he spent 15 years at Black Diamond Equipment where he held several roles. He has served on several boards and was a founding individual member of 1% for the Planet. Ryan holds a JD from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah; an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology; and a BSBA in finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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Woodwyn Koons Woodwyn is the parent of Bee in sixth grade and Phoebe, Class of ’22. She is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Lifespan Development Center. She was previously a psychology assistant and psychology intern at the Diana Baldwin Clinic, Philadelphia FIGHT. Woodwyn is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a BA in English literature and theater as well as a MA and PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) in clinical psychology from the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, Widener University.

Rae Wynn-Grant Rae is the parent of Zuri in third grade and 3-yearold Zoey. She is currently on the research faculty of the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UCSB. She is a National Geographic Society Fellow, leading carnivore conservation and also a visiting scientist with the Museum of Natural History where she was previously a Conservation Science Research and Teaching Postdoctoral Fellow. Rae is a graduate of Emory University (BS in environmental studies), Yale School of the Environment (MS in environmental science) and Columbia University (PhD, Doctor of Philosophy, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology).

Top (left to right): Ryan Gellert, Samantha Daly, Elizabeth Chandler, Woodwyn Koons Bottom (left to right): Marc Jones, Yutopia Essex, Rae Wynn-Grant

Success is not defined by individual achievements, but by collective determination and vision. author unknown

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Meet the

New Staffulty Tamar Adegbile

Associate Head of School/Head of Upper School If you would have asked about my career plans when I graduated from Vassar College, the idea of becoming an educator would not have been a consideration. I majored in film studies and envisioned a successful career in entertainment for myself. After college, I moved back to New York City and lived the “starving artist” life to gain experience in the film industry. Everything changed however, after a serendipitous weekend trip to visit a friend at my alma mater and I accepted an offer to work in college admissions at Vassar. Following Vassar, I worked in admissions at Columbia University, and it was there that I truly discovered that the part of admissions I truly loved was working with students. I have worked at Riverdale Country School in NY, Harvard-Westlake School in LA, Cate School, and I was a founding administrator who helped launch Avenues Silicon Valley which opened its doors last fall. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Being an educator is a calling, in my opinion, and I am grateful to the students and families that I am entrusted to work with.

I am excited to embark on this new chapter in my career and serve the Crane community in the role of Associate Head of School/Head of the Upper School.

Brianna Garcia

Secretary/Registrar After being born in Bellflower and raised in Los Angeles, I moved to Santa Barbara in 2012. Before coming to Crane, I was employed with Santa Barbara Unified School District for seven years.

I am currently in school and studying to receive my real estate license. In my free time, I love to horseback ride, play basketball, hike, try new restaurants, and plan new places to travel with my family.

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Raul Borja

Director of Finance and Operations I am delighted to join the Crane community as Director of Finance and Operations. I moved here from Los Angeles where for eight years I worked at Providence High School. For much of my career, I have specialized in non-profit finance and accounting but have also taught high school English, which I tell everyone was the toughest job I have ever had. I am an alum of UCLA (GO BRUINS!) and received a master’s in English from Claremont Graduate University. In my spare time I love to watch movies, read, go to concerts, run and hike. Oh, and I love to eat! As I'm new to Santa Barbara I am eager to learn more and experience all the area has to offer.

Paola Rodriguez

Kindergarten Co-Teacher I have been teaching elementary children for over 15 years. While in college at UCSB, I started tutoring students in local elementary schools with the America Reads program. After working in a couple of after school programs, I decided to go back and study for a teaching credential and received an MA in elementary education from Azusa Pacific University. I taught in Santa Barbara for a few years before moving to Carpinteria to focus on raising my three children as well as began teaching part time at Montecito Union. I co-created an after-school Spanish immersion program and an activity-based Spanish camp in Carpinteria. More recently, I taught homeschool student groups in the Spanish immersion outdoor program, El Jardin. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy dancing, hiking, gardening, and crafting.

Meet the

New Teaching Fellows

Lauren Andrews

Ciauna Cota

Emma Goldin

Experiential education is what bridged

My journey to Crane began on Catalina

I became a teaching fellow because I

the gap between joy and learning in my

Island, where I met Crane students on

want to build my skills as a teacher.

own education. My high school in the

their Trip Week while working as an

I found my passion for working with

Bay

outdoor

and

students when I was a camp counselor

encountered “learning by doing” and

curiosity convinced me to apply to the

for 5 years at a sleepaway camp in

it not only completely changed my

Teaching Fellows Program. As a fellow, I

Maine. This past school year I graduated

perspective on education, but it also

have drawn from my experiences working

from UNC-Chapel Hill with a master’s

made it a passion. Remembering and

in summer camp as both a counselor and

degree

reciting facts turned into understanding

administrator, leading outdoor education

technology,

and comprehension. After high school,

programs,

children's

where I designed a makerspace for the

I attended UCSB and graduated with a

movement classes. I received my bachelor’s

Ronald McDonald House in Chapel

bachelor’s degree in sociology. During

degree in sociocultural anthropology from

Hill with my fellow classmates and

college, I had various jobs and what I’ve

Pitzer College and was able to apply my

professor. This experience made me

found to be most fulfilling is working

studies to mental health research during

realize that I wanted to work in an

with children, teaching art during

a semester abroad in Bhutan. I believe

alternative classroom setting where

after-school programs, and providing

we accomplish our best learning by

kids could learn about science, but have

childcare reinforced this path for me.

doing, whether that be through going

the space to explore their creativity.

Being a teaching fellow at Crane allows

out and experiencing a lesson or by

me to share my love for learning with

simply listening to the stories of our

my students and community.

community. I cannot wait to see what the

Second Grade

Area

was

Third Grade

the

first

place

I

Design and Engineering

educator.

and

Their

teaching

energy

in

educational and

innovation,

entrepreneurship

rest of the year has to offer and to apply what I gain at Crane to my career in teaching.

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Professional

Development

The Essence of Esalen:

Experiential Learning in Mind-Body Connection Thanks to the Eldon Boyd Fellowship

In our free time, we could explore the

most inspirational spots for writing that

Grant, I had the opportunity to attend

campus, get a massage, meet other guests

I’ve ever encountered.

a yoga retreat at Esalen this summer.

on campus, or spend time alone. On one

Esalen is a holistic retreat and educational

of my breaks, I lugged my guitar across

institute

for

campus to a well-hidden tree swing I had

attracting artists and musicians who

discovered on my first day at Esalen. While

come to explore their own creativity

looking out over the Pacific, surrounded

and connect with the beauty of nature.

by Monterey pines, I wrote a song that will

The workshop I attended included yoga,

forever be special to me. It was one of the

which

is

well

known

mindfulness practice, dance, and live sitar music. Set in the stunning landscape of Big Sur, this 5-day workshop was so much more than simply a yoga retreat. Instead

Esalen was a magical week of mind-body work and self-discovery, one that I will always cherish. I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Donna Brown Fourth Grade Teacher

Eldon Boyd Fellowship

of separate lectures, yoga practices, and

New York City has been the heartbeat of

elevated subway tracks twisting around

music sessions, these key components

the American art movement since the

tall buildings was visually mesmerizing.

were highly integrated and experiential.

early 1900s. Many of the artists I love

So much so that I hardly sketched on this

I’ve been to a significant number of

and admire like Jacob Lawrence, Georgia

trip! My eyes were overwhelmed by the

workshops in my life, but never one that

O’Keeffe, Lee Krasner, and Keith Haring

complexity and beauty of the city. During

exemplified to me what I’m constantly

started their own creative journeys in

our stay, we spent each day exploring a

trying to achieve in my classroom. The

NYC. I have always dreamed of visiting

different part of Manhattan. Walking the

workshop leader was masterful at guiding

and that dream came true this past

Highline, seeing Hamilton on Broadway,

the group to discovery, without explaining

summer! Thanks to the generous Eldon

and visiting The Met were some of our most

what we should be discovering. One of

Boyd Fellowship, I was able to take my

favorite activities. We all agreed that this

the days, we walked into the room to find

family on a truly memorable trip to see

was one of our favorite family trips!

it set up in exploration centers where we

one of the greatest cities in the world.

could experiment with different activities related to mind-body connection.

As an artist, visiting NYC was a treat. As a

On the very first Uber ride to our hotel,

mom, spending a week exploring the city

I instantly recognized the city that

with my family was a true gift. Watching

Jacob Lawrence perfectly captured in

my outdoorsy kids navigate a major city

his work. The layers of highways and

was affirming of what strong and capable women they are becoming.

Most importantly, having an entire week to enjoy the sites and spend time together was just what we needed before jumping into a new school year.

We will always remember this trip and are deeply grateful for the opportunity.

Tray London Lower School Art Teacher

A New York State of Mind We had the incredible opportunity to

architecture. During our trip, we toured

travel to New York City thanks to the

the Empire State Building, One World

generosity of the Dorothy C. Waugh

Trade Center, and went on a Manhattan

Grant. The intention of our trip was to

architecture river cruise to learn about the

explore, experience, and tour as many

history, design, and construction of these

skyscrapers in New York as we could to

famous skyscrapers. The insight we gained

gain new inspiration for the beloved

was immeasurable. The Empire State

first grade skyscraper theme. It has

Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper

been a desire of ours for many years to

located in midtown Manhattan. The

bring even more tangible, educational,

interactive, computer-generated imaging

and experiential content to the unit.

tour made you feel as if you were with

We often find that bringing personal

the original construction crew throwing

stories to a 6-year-old’s experience

hot rivets and balancing (without any

helps

safety equipment) on iron beams! It was

students

make

meaningful

connections. So, when we originally brainstormed cities we could explore that provided rich architecture and history, New York was at the top of the list. It is home to some of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. When we applied for the grant, we knew a trip there to study skyscrapers would be an exciting way to bring the curriculum to life, and the three full days we spent exploring did not disappoint!

Without

a

doubt,

studying

and

“building” skyscrapers is an engaging way to teach first graders about measurement,

engineering,

and

thrilling and awe-inspiring. We took many videos to try to best represent the talent, skill, and risk that many individuals took when constructing this famous building.

We spent an entire afternoon at One World Trade Center, which is the tallest skyscraper in the United States. There was so much to see and it was breathtaking. The tour was educational, informative, and interactive. We were able to walk around the viewing floor with an iPad that pointed out the other various skyscrapers that make up this concrete jungle. While enjoying lunch on the 101st floor, we felt immensely grateful for the time spent in a building that we study so closely in our first grade curriculum.

Doing of

Deepens

Crane’s

core

Discovery,

one

values,

comes

immediately to mind when we think about our trip to New York. In class we plan to share videos, pictures, and other items we brought back with us. The journey also inspired us to organize a lesson where the students design and render their own Santa Barbara skyscraper!

Megan '99 Flannery & Courtney Fleming

First Grade Teachers

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groups and civil rights in the 8th grade. There’s something very special about sharing information with your students when you have personally visited the location and learned from the locals.

In addition to its rich history, the 17th century hacienda where I resided for the week, takes pride in its organic garden, sustainable trout farm, condor rehabilitation center and local education programs. Much of the surrounding landscape has been stripped of its native vegetation so that people may farm the land and build homes. While this is understandable, Hacienda Zuleta is working to educate the community on better ways to coexist with nature, and to debunk myths which may cause species to become extinct. For example, it was believed that the Andean Bear would steal women and children and was therefore hunted almost to the point of endangerment. The hacienda meets with local farmers, school children and community members to teach them about this peaceful bear.

While high in the Andes, I also had conversations with locals about global warming and the changing seasons. They have had to

Lessons from the Andes

adjust the timing of planting and harvesting crops and must use high powered sprinkler systems when the seasons’ rains do not materialize as they once did. The lessons from this remote part of the world truly speak to every person on this planet—from our human history, our fights over land, and now the importance of a

It’s honestly difficult to put into words how much it meant to me to receive the Holsman Grant this year. It allowed me to travel, continue in my own learning and growth, and to think about all

global community that works together to respond to a changing climate. This trip truly inspired me to tie these lessons into all that I teach.

the ways in which I can bring my experience and knowledge back to the classroom.

Ecuador is by far one of my favorite places on the planet to visit. The people are kind, the food is amazing and the varied landscapes indescribable with mere words. During my trip, I spent time with a local guide named Amable (which means gentle and kind). His family has lived in the Zuleta/Ibarra region of the Andes in northern Ecuador for generations. They have saved and collected artifacts from the pre-Inca indigenous tribe known as the Caranqui, and have continued to pass stories and information about the Caranqui, Inca and Spaniards from generation to generation.

We hiked on foot trails that have been used since the tenth century and took time to talk about the hundreds of tolas (burial mounds) and pirámides (pyramids). I created videos for my students which I will use while teaching about the Inca in 6th grade, as well as I plan to incorporate this information while discussing indigenous

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Andrea Elias Upper School Spanish Teacher

The Gift of Time

Last February was the beginning of a unique opportunity that very few K-8 educators have the chance to experience. People often wish they had more time to delve into personal hobbies, projects, and travel. Lucky for me, I was given the gift of time in the form of a sabbatical for the second half of the 2022-2023 school year.

When one is gifted an opportunity of this magnitude, the internal to-do list goes into full swing. My mind started racing. I will read all the books stacked up on my nightstand. I will do yoga every day for a month. I will experiment with new recipes. I will explore the backcountry and walk the beaches. I will reach out to family and dear friends to plan a visit. In retrospect, these goals were happily

tourism industries and gives the animals a peaceful place to live out their remaining years. As guests, we were able to observe, feed, and touch these amazing animals. Knowledgeable guides told us about their history, behaviors, and the challenges elephants still face in Thailand today. It was an amazing experience we will hold dear to our hearts.

A few days later, we had a chance to interact with locals and encounter elephants once again. We booked a kayak adventure down the Mae Taeng River. After the thrill of kayaking through an obstacle course of river rocks, we reached our destination. At our takeout spot, we paddled past several elephants who were being bathed. We were lucky enough to have a quick interaction with them and an unforgettable photo opportunity as they calmly

achieved.

walked by us on their way out of the river. That day we also had

To-do lists aside, the greatest moments of my sabbatical took

unforgettable rock sliding. The natural rock was steep and my

place during my travels. Teaching my daughter to ski, visiting historical museums on the East Coast, and surfing Caribbean waves were all fantastic adventures, but our trip to Thailand was unforgettable. We explored caves, coral reefs, and night markets, but our absolute highlights were visiting an elephant sanctuary

a chance to meet our guide’s son and nephew for an afternoon of friend’s son and my daughter were nervous to go down, but the local Thai children managed to persuade them otherwise, and the four kids had a blast the rest of the afternoon. The power of play brought us all together.

and rafting down the Mae Taeng River.

Life experiences like these are a true gift. To interact with people

The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is an ethical elephant

truly a global community. Thank you Crane, for giving my family

sanctuary that is well-known for its commitment to the conservation of elephants. The park provides a safe haven for elephants that have been rescued from abusive logging and

in other parts of the world is precious—a reminder that we are this time.

Carrie Althoff Fifth Grade Teacher 11

Kindergarten to Third Grade

Highlights KINDERGARTEN The Garden Unit is perfectly timed with the autumn season and the falling leaves in the kindergarten yard. Students opened their theme study with the book Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. The beautiful bright colors and different shapes of the flower petals and leaves in the illustrations inspired their own colorful watercolor paintings using liquid watercolor and Sharpies. Students visited the Crane gardens to learn all about snails and other creatures that help make habitats thrive.

FIRST GRADE First graders love to tell stories about themselves and learn about animals. This is the perfect combination for studying fables. Students explored Frog and Toad, The Ant and Grasshopper, and many other animal duos! They quickly picked up on the similarities in the stories humanlike animal characters, conflicts/ problems, and a moral or lesson. The Fable Unit is a wonderful time to enjoy literature as a class and apply the morals to their own lives through writing and public speaking.

SECOND GRADE Second grade businesses “made” $2,482 on opening day! Their event began with an explanation of the process, a ribbon cutting, and then “shopping” by families and students. Leading up to the grand opening, students learned about needs vs. wants, bartering vs. purchasing, and goods vs. services. They wrote a business plan, explored financial literacy topics, and built their stores.

THIRD GRADE Using a measuring tape, a trundle wheel, and Google Earth, third graders measured the buildings and spaces on campus. Once they had the length and width of each location, they used their rounding skills to measure to the nearest 10s and scale their buildings to a grid.

Their individual contributions will be combined to create a map that will be used by campus visitors. Students have filmed “Coyote News” stories about the special places and people on campus; these clips will be added to their interactive map.

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HEED (HIGHLY EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATI

Fo M G

First Grade: BIRDS, BIRDS, AND MORE BIRDS

Kindergarten and Second Grade: ALL ABOUT PUMPKINS!

This year we introduced HEED—Highly Experiential Education Day—a day dedicated to activities that go beyond the confines of a typical daily schedule.

Imagine the dynamic projects and deep learning that students and Staffulty can cover in a seven-hour day!

Fifth Grade: JOSHUA TREE (see pg. 22)

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Third Grade: FIELD TRIP TO BOTANICAL GARDENS

ION DAY)

ourth Grade: MAGICAL GARDENS

Seventh Grade: THE GREAT CRANE BAKE OFF

Sixth Grade: HISTORY AND ART IN SANTA BARBARA

Eighth Grade: VISUAL STORY TELLING

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ALUMNI NEWS Bart Francis ’54 Recently the third

often found in such publications as Conde Nast Traveller and Travel & Leisure. Kerry also shoots brand campaigns for the Rosewood Miramar. The family launched Wheeler Collective, a framed fine art photography business that showcases their

grade took a field trip to the Santa Barbara

work, which has gained worldwide recognition. Kerry and

Natural History Museum and to their

Holly honeymooned in Kenya on a safari, before returning to

surprise, their docent, Bart Francis, is a

Los Angeles. In their free time, they enjoy traveling to Italy,

Crane alumnus graduating from Crane

especially where Kerry spends time photographing on the

70 years ago! He attended from 1945–1953

Amalfi Coast.

and has great memories of his science class collecting the mulberry leaves from

Caroline Hummer ’01 (now

the tree on campus to feed the silkworms

Hernandez); Santa Barbara High

they were raising. We hope he will visit

School ’05; UC Berkeley ’09—

soon so that he can see that the mulberry

bachelor’s in English literature and creative writing and Peter

tree is still here!

Hernandez ’02; Santa Barbara

John Warren III ’57 I learned to read at Crane while attending

School

’06;

Westmont

from 1950–1953. It took me nine years to get my California Life

High

’10—bachelor’s

in

business.

Teaching Credential. We adopted a sixth-month-old baby from

Caroline and Peter reconnected

Soule, Korea. She is now a lawyer with Adobe Corporation. We

over navigating COVID business

also adopted a two-month-old baby from Saigon, Vietnam who

challenges in the spring of 2020.

works for Men's Wearhouse. I retired as an instructor from

After corresponding remotely for

Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. Thank you,

months, Caroline moved back from Oakland to Carpinteria

Crane, for my start in life.

in December of 2020. The couple married in Santa Barbara

Hannah Harte ’96 Cate School ’00;

on April 1, 2023. Many Crane alumni were in attendance, including Peter’s brother Andrew ’00 and classmate Matt

Williams College ’04; Pepperdine

Chambers, Whitney Werts ’01 and fellow classmates Caitlin

University ’15, with her husband

Ackerman and Lauren Enright, and Carley Werts ’04.

Erik Janson and their son Waylon

Caroline and Peter live in Carpinteria, and spend their off-

Adams Janson. They welcomed

time cooking, walking Padaro Lane with their dogs, Chauncey

another baby on July 29, 2022,

and Billie, and enjoying the beauty of Central California on

August Houston Janson. Both boys

their family ranch outside of Lompoc. Peter owns his own

have middle names after Hannah's

commercial millwork company, Brothers of Industry*, with

brother, Houston Adams Harte

his brother, and Caroline works in events and hospitality

’00. Hannah is a licensed marriage

consulting.

and family therapist and Erik is a songwriter, producer, and musician. They love living on the Mesa with their dog Otto.

Kerry Wheeler ’00 Santa Barbara

Mallory Price ’01 married Jason May on July 1, 2023 surrounded by 70 of their closest friends and family in the Mulberry

High School ’04; USC ’08 married Holly

Quad at Crane School. After meeting one

Owens, a model and wellness influencer

another 15 years prior, the couple’s laid-

in a private ceremony at the Wheeler

back celebration was a reflection of their

family home in September, just down the

love for their community— including

street from Crane. The house had been

a family style dinner prepared by one

destroyed in the mudflow, and this was the

of their favorite chefs from Full of Life

first time the family had welcomed friends

Flatbread in Los Alamos. Mallory is

and loved ones back to the property

currently an elementary literacy specialist for Santa Barbara

since it had been restored. Kerry has

Unified School District and Jason is an electrician. They

become an established travel and lifestyle

both love running, particularly in the mountains, where they

photographer (following in the footsteps

became engaged (on Montecito Peak). They live in Santa

of his father, Nik Wheeler). His work is

Barbara with their golden retriever, Forrest.

Matt DeGroot ’04 Cate ’08; USC BA ’12, MAT ’21 moved back to Santa Barbara in 2022 from San

and her family surfing, sailing, or mountain biking.

Crane (history) in the fall. His wife, Jenny, works at Cottage Hospital a

speech

pathologist.

Engineering Academy. Ben teaches math classes at Alta Vista Alternative High School. In their free time, you can find Corey

Francisco. Matt began teaching at

as

recently took on a new role as Co-Director of the Dos Pueblos

Caroline Stoll ’09 married William Zimmerman on October

They

love spending free time outside.

14, 2023 at her family home in Montecito.

Since arriving, they have enjoyed

Both Caroline and Will graduated from

reacquainting themselves with Santa

Santa Barbara High School in the same

Barbara's many great restaurants.

class. Caroline graduated from UC

Their son, Ozzy, was born January 25,

Santa Barbara and Will graduated from

2023.

the Air Force Academy. At the wedding, many former Crane students were in the

Carley Werts ’04 Algorri Santa Barbara High School ’08; Santa Clara University ’12; married Evan Algorri in August of 2020. They welcomed their first child, Mila Montgomery Algorri, on August 4, 2022. Mila is as sweet as the day is long, loves dancing to the Itsy Bitsy Spider, reading books, making animal sounds, and is currently on the verge of walking!

The Algorris recently moved to Pasadena where Carley is working remotely for her Compass real estate team while staying home and caring for Mila; and Evan is soon opening a fine-dining Italian restaurant called Ètra in East Hollywood (Melrose Hill).

Soren Yeadon ’05 of

Chicago

Lab

Northwestern

’13

is

a

’09;

man; Ryan Worley, Mark Keonig, Evan Robertson, and Ryan Stoll ’10 were groomsmen. Lily Eakin ’09, Tanner Lewbel ’09, and Austin Jackson ’10 attended the ceremony, as well. Caroline and Will live in Bryan, Texas on a 2.5-acre farm with sheep, chickens, pigs, and a bloodhound puppy named Sheriff. They’re moving back to Santa Barbara in 2025 when Will completes his military service, after serving 11 years in the Air Force as an officer.

ALUMNI SPORTS NEWS was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Offensive

and his wife Sarah MacWilliams were

Player of the Week. It was also announced that he had been

married in September 2023. They

chosen for a spot on the D3 football.com Team of the Week

spend much of their time together

following their win over Washington & Jefferson College.

with family and friends between Beulah, MI and Chicago. They met at

Tiana Monaghan ’20, a senior at San Marcos High School has

Northwestern University and share

just signed to play women’s softball for Chapman University.

common friends. After knowing each other for a long time, they became a couple in 2019/2020 just in time to shelter together during Covid.

Corey Radis ’06 Boyce Santa Barbara High School ’10; Stanford undergrad ’14 and MS in environmental engineering ’15. She is now living back in Santa Barbara with her husband, Ben Boyce, and their new baby boy, Benji. Corey and Ben are both teachers at local high Corey

bridesmaid; Wesley Powell was the best

Will Bouma ’18, a Carnegie Mellon University sophomore

software

engineer at VMware in Chicago. He

schools.

the Class of 2009, Eva Saint Denis was a

CONGRATULATIONS!

University

School

bridal party or attended as guests. From

teaches

engineering

classes at Dos Pueblos High School and

Tiana was an All-Channel League Honorable Mention last season.

Sienna Spence ’20, signed her letter of intent to join the Trent women’s volleyball team for the 2024-25 varsity season.

She plans to major in psychology when she attends Trent University in the fall. Currently, a 6’2” middle, she plays for the Halton Hurricanes 17U team and attends Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. *Brothers of Industry created the beautiful credenza for the lobby of our newly

renovated theater now known as the Wolf Performing Arts Center (Wolf PAC). We are thrilled to know that Crane alumni built this piece that will be part of the campus for decades.

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ALUMNI IN THE NEWS In the Fall, Noozhawk ran a feature article focusing on the number of alumni working in the local schools. In addition to three alumni serving on the Crane Board of Trustees, currently Crane has a total of 8 alumni employees, two of which were the focus of the article: first grade teacher,

Megan MacMurray ’99 Flannery and sixth and seventh grade history teacher, Matt DeGroot ’04.

Megan shares, “When I first began at Crane, a large portion of the teaching staff were my former teachers. Working sideby-side with many of my most inspirational teachers was an amazing experience and such an honor.”

Megan MacMurray ’99

Matt DeGroot ’04

Matt states, “It’s hard for me to imagine a more perfect place to raise a family than Santa Barbara, and it would not have been possible if Crane hadn’t provided me with the opportunity to return home.”

Cronshaw Family Distinguished Alumni Award We are pleased to announce that this year we have two recipients of the Cronshaw Family 2023 Alumni Award: Richard Banks ’62 and Sarah W. O’Brien ’82.

These two alumni are both active in the greater Santa Barbara community, but they are being honored for their Crane volunteer work that spans decades: Rick is being recognized for his more than 20 years of work in the realm of Crane numbers serving on both the Finance and Investment Committees (more than 200 Finance Committee meetings alone!), as well as serving on the Board as Treasurer for many years and was also the President of the Board of Trustees for two years.

Sarah’s sphere of volunteer work spanned more than a decade while her two sons, Pierce and Ronan were lifers. Like Rick, Sarah served on assorted school committees as Chair—Grandparent/ Special Friends’ Tea and Room Parent Liaison just to name a couple, as well a Development Committee Advisor, and an Annual Fund Representative. But Sarah’s most important Crane job was to be the Parents for Crane President for three consecutive years.

Join us on Thursday, February 1, at 6:30pm in the Wolf Performing Arts Center to acknowledge Rick and Sarah’s accomplishments.

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Calling all nominations for 2024!

Eligibility A Crane alumnus or alumna who has accomplished something significant in the field of their endeavor to include career, interest, community leadership, or volunteer service.

Nomination form:

CLASS OF 2003 CHECK-IN:

On October 20, the Class of 2003 gathered on the Crane campus to celebrate their 20th reunion. Here is a brief recap of what they are up to now:

BECKY BRINKENHOFF is living in Santa Barbara for the first time (previously she lived in Ventura). She graduated with an MFA in June and is still figuring out the next steps as far as work. In her free time, she enjoys designing and making things, doing home projects, and scuba diving.

ELLIOTT CROWE is currently living in San Francisco where he is an Associate Account Director at Movers+Shakers, a

Back row (left to right): Michael Williams, Gene McQuillan, Oliver Fries, Elliott Crowe

social-first creative agency. He is getting married in Santa

Front row (left to right): Maiesha Jackson, Becky Brinkenhoff, Kristen Franz, Olivia Mohler-

Barbara in April. He spends a fair amount of free time

Masclet, Stasia Van Wingerden, Kelsey Farish Lawless

playing with his 1.5-year-old Welsh terrier, Olive, and hopes to get back into ceramics and some arts in 2024.

KELSEY FARISH LAWLESS is currently living in LA with her

MAIESHA JACKSON lives in Las Vegas where she is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clinic Director and Partner with Smith Therapy Partners. She

husband Blake, who she met in college at UCLA, and their

likes spending time with her two yorkies, Roni and Rona, attending concerts,

1.5 year old daughter, Emma. After a fulfilling 11 years

taking trips, and spending time with her family.

working on Oprah Winfrey's team, she recently left her position to enjoy every minute of full-time motherhood before Emma starts preschool. They are now looking

GENE McQUILLAN lives in downtown Santa Barbara and helps run the family business, Raoul Textiles, with his sister Madeleine ’98 and his mom

forward to their next chapter in Santa Barbara and are

Sally. In his free time, he spends time gardening, playing soccer, cycling,

planning to move back next year.

and designing.

KRISTEN FRANZ and her husband Zach Cantor live in Santa

OLIVIA MOHLER-MASCLET is living in Santa Barbara with her husband

Barbara with their two sons, Bennett (4) and Dylan (2). She

and is busy chasing after her two kids, Manon (5) and Albert (2), while also

is self-employed as a landscape architect (Franz Design

running her own art consulting business. As a family, they enjoy the beach,

Studio). She loves spending time at the beach collecting sea

hiking, painting, and cooking.

glass and surfing, working in the garden, and playing tennis or participating in yoga classes.

OLIVER FRIES is living in Marina del Rey where he owns

STASIA VANWINGERDEN lives with her husband, Benjamin Eichorn in Big Sur with their two-year-old son, Joaquin. They are also expecting a second baby on New Year’s Eve. They have a seasonal flower business growing protea

and runs a commercial real estate brokerage in West Los

and stay engaged on their homestead tending to goats, chickens, and fruit

Angeles called Paloma Realty Partners. He also has several

trees. In addition, Stasia teaches at an early childhood forest school and also

side projects in Santa Barbara. Oliver has been married to

teaches piano lessons. She loves writing original music as much as she can:

Sarah for 3 years. She is originally from New Orleans, and

www.stasmari.com

she works for Carhartt Vineyards in Los Olivos. In their free time, they enjoy surfing, skiing, and travelling.

MICHAEL WILLIAMS is currently living in Santa Barbara and has been exploring all this beautiful town has to offer with his friends and family. He works as a project manager for a fitness software startup.

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20

Wolf PAC With the completion of the Wolf Performing Arts Center, or now lovingly known as the Wolf PAC, a whole new world has opened before our very eyes. After the former theater, Cate Hall, had sat silent during the Covid years, we were more than ready for all the new space had to offer—and so it has: daily Assemblies, eighth grade speeches, Friday Spotlight performances, and the first class play Pirates, the Musical featuring our fourth graders (see photos on inside back cover).

To welcome the new facility to the campus, we held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the students and a grand opening for the adults. The grand opening featured the talents of three Crane alumni, all of whom make their living in the entertainment world: Josh Duvendeck ’00, a comedian; Jana McIntyre ’06, an opera singer; and Morgan Neville ’81, a documentarian and filmmaker.

Fifth Grade:

JOSHUA TREE

After a deep dive into studying our beautiful

national parks, the fifth grade class headed off to Joshua Tree National Park in October for a three-day adventure to experience one of our protected and wild spaces in person.

The days were full of exploring nature, rock climbing and scrambling, and group bonding. Students had the opportunity to capture their favorite parts of the trip in these fun story-map journal entries.

Sixth Grade

Sixth Grade:

CATALINA ISLAND

Catalina Island offers a wealth of experiences for the sixth grade to explore. Night snorkeling,

How to Get to Catalina Island

kayaking, rock climbing, ziplining, composting, hiking and bonding time with classmates are just some of the highlights of the trip to Catalina. Our sixth graders were nestled in the beautiful cove of Howland’s Landing and had many opportunities to spend time in the ocean, learn about marine life, step into new experiences with the support of their friends, and understand more about sustainability and their role in nurturing our planet. The Catalina trip is a magical experience and is usually a highlight of the student’s sixth grade year.

by Isabella

First set your alarm for 4:30 in the morning and tell yourself to fall asleep. Wake up at 5:45 and realize your timer never went off and you might be late. Run downstairs freaking out and see that your parents made your snack and are telling you that it is okay. Calm down and grab your snacks, shoes, and backpack ready to drive and meet your friends at school. Get to school and grab your heavy duffle bag while waiting for your other classmates to show up. When you are about to get on the bus, suddenly realize that one of your friends isn't there. Start to freak out again, but know that you are leaving and you have your other friends to comfort you. You are driving now far away from Crane Country Day School and you are informed that your friend has Covid, and your teacher has a problem so he has to go to the doctor and can't come. Be sad but eventually have fun

for food. Be told that there are snacks on the

your wetsuit is too tight. Then you stand in line

boat and feel a tingle of joy because you haven't

and wait for your flippers. When you try on the

had any breakfast yet. Get on the boat and stand

flippers to see if they fit, you realize that your

outside looking at the waves, taking in what you

toes are sticking out and they are squeezing your

are doing because you have never been on a boat

feet so you go back in line for a new pair. Then

before. Start getting seasick but see the island of

you get a small snorkel mask and try to breathe

Catalina and know that all of the stress was worth

through the snorkel. Then you get a lecture from

it. Step foot on the sand and get welcomed by all

your teachers to be careful and to do the “stingray

of the staff. Know that this trip will be fun. Take

shuffle.” Then you walk down to the beach, grab

advantage because this will be the only time you

your snorkel and put it on, then you step into the

get this chance. Trust me.

freezing water and put on your flippers, and you

How to Norkel

and laugh with your friends until you are an hour

by Malia

away and you get really car sick. Wait, and wait,

You get to go norkeling. Norkeling is snorkeling

and wait, until you finally get to the dock, unload

at night. You start to freak out because it’s 7:30

all of the bags, and then(?) realize you are at the

pm and you will be snorkeling. Then you get the

wrong place. Load everything back up as quickly

two-piece wetsuit that fits you. After you get your

as you can and drive to the other dock, pleading

wetsuit, you turn the wetsuit from “blueberry

and wishing that you can hurry up. Get to the

mode” to “blackberry mode” (which is turning

dock and again take out all of the bags trying to

it inside out.). Then you scooch your pants up to

get ready before the boat sets off. Realize that you

your waist. After that you put on the jacket and

have plenty of time to wait and go around asking

zip it up. Remember to stop breathing because

go off and swim in the dark, cold ocean. You will see all kinds of animals like fish and sharks and stingrays. Then you see the best thing on your trip: bioluminescence. Once you get out and walk up the beach to the dive deck, you rinse your fins and mask. And peel your wetsuit off and rinse it in soap and water, then you wrap yourself up in a towel. The counselors know you are cold and get you some hot chocolate. You will be a little freaked out because you almost stepped on a stingray, but after you shower and get warm you will feel much better. Trust me.

23

Micah I woke up and was excited for the rope course. When we got there, I was so ready.

Up on the rope it was difficult to hold on, and I fell on the first one on the swings.

The second was a little easier, and I sped through like Lightning McQueen. The third one was super high and fun. It was a fun way to end it.

Kate On Tuesday we did the ropes course, and I only had the courage to do one. I’m proud of myself because I was too scared to do the ropes course last year in Catalina.

Jade A few days later we did the high ropes course, and I did the Cat Walk even though it looked scary…VERY SCARY!!! I also swung on a rope like Tarzan.

Seventh Grade:

BIG BEAR

I had many amazing memories at Camp Whittle but a few stand out. One of these was our bus rides because our amazing

Majestic pine trees, bearded dragons, high

teachers took us to Krispy Kreme on the

activities were cornerstones of the seventh-

Another thing that stood out to me was

ropes course, and many bonding games and

way there, and In-n-Out on the way home.

grade trip this year in Big Bear. Students were

late-night poker (and poker in general.

“challenged by choice” to complete high ropes

elements, to hold some creepy crawly creatures

in the Reptile Room, and to tackle a five-mile challenge hike to Little Bear Peak. The trip provided our seventh graders with plenty of

opportunities to leave their comfort zones while also strengthening their relationships with classmates.

Julian My favorite memory from Camp Whittle was the 5-mile hike because it was a relatively easy hike, and I learned a lot about the plants in the area. I made many memories with the tick checks, If-I-Could cards, the Oreos, and the cherished Gatorade powder. It was also very fun to have lunch with all the other camp groups and to practice and participate in the skit.

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Hudson

It always had great conversations and everyone really got into it.) High ropes was another highlight. Everyone had a good time and supported each other. Hiking to Little Bear Peak was amazing and the view from there was great. The lake was bold and prominent from there. Overall Camp Whittle was an amazing experience.

Eighth Grade:

ALABAMA & GEORGIA The eighth grade trip challenges students intellectually and

emotionally as they visit some of the most important places and

times in our nation’s Civil Rights history. Students stood by the bombing memorial at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church

in Birmingham, walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, and learned about the Jim Crow era in Montgomery.

They also ate great barbecue, sampled Southern sweet tea, and ziplined from Georgia to Alabama and back again.

their story. The final cell that I visited had two little kids in it. The older kid, a boy, looked around, seeing if anyone else was watching, before

whispering, “Mama?” My heart hurt for him. Even though I knew that the little kids weren’t real, they were still little kids and people just like them who had been held in this very building.

By Casey The Legacy Museum was by far my favorite museum on the trip. I was amazed by the beautiful artistic representation of the struggles of slavery.

There were heads sticking out of the ground, crying and in chains. There were even children. I could only imagine how horrible it would be to be tortured as a small child. I felt so lucky to be living in one of the greatest periods of history benefitting from all of the struggles people went through to live in a better world. Walking through the immense place was such an experience. On the walls there were quotes and pictures of the struggle for civil rights. There was a large wall covered in signs that would be put up in windows. The signs all showed hatred towards black people but other

By Aggie Last week on our trip to Alabama, I learned a lot. I learned about the individual stories of lynchings and the unfairness that the Black people of the South had to endure. I learned about the KKK, the Freedom Riders, and the march in Selma. I learned about the church bombing in Birmingham

groups too. Signs said “No negroes, No Spanish, No Jews.” The idea of one group of people being better than another is horrible. The fact that anyone could just look at another human being and hate them is awful. No one should face such horrible treatment. There were booths with videos of people in jail. They were wrongly arrested and went on death row for many

and many more individual stories of segregation and unfairness in the

years. Their lives were wasted because someone wrongly accused them of

museums we went to. There was one museum in Montgomery that really

a crime they didn't commit just because they were Black. One man was

impacted me, the Legacy Museum. This museum was located in what was

imprisoned for thirty years before he was finally allowed to go. He could

once a slaveholding building. The first room we walked into had a floor-

never get a good job or move forward with his life for thirty years. His

length screen with waves and words on it. It mentioned the people who

mother barely recognised him and she had to take care of him for a while

had died during the journey across the Atlantic. The second room was a

afterwards since he had no job or money. The sadness of all these lives that

massive art piece. There were clay people walking up out of the beach and

were taken and wasted for hundreds of years was very moving.

water, looking very tired and rugged. The third room was really emotional for me. It was a room full of slaveholding cells. In each cell, there was a ghost-like projection of people talking. The first cell had a woman asking for her children. One had a singing woman. Each person told us part of

I am now much more aware of the struggles of the past and the fight for civil rights and I know that all people should be treated equally no matter what their background, beliefs, or skin color.

FALL SPORTS

GIRLS’ VARSITY VOLLEYBALL (Poppy and Mitra - Eighth Grade)

This year our girls’ varsity volleyball team had a great season. We experienced happy moments and not so happy moments, but progressed greatly. We started off the season figuring out our positions on the court. We practiced serving, hitting, passing, setting, and many more important skills. We learned how to play with a backrow setter and learned when to switch positions with our blockers. After a couple games we started to get the hang of it.

Soon we became a united and skilled team.

GIRLS’ JV2 VOLLEYBALL (Riley - Seventh Grade)

The JV2 volleyball season was awesome. We learned how to serve underhand and overhand.

We had a lot of fun playing games to help improve our skills. Though we didn’t always win, we had a great time in our season. I can speak for everyone on our team when I say we had the best time playing and we learned so much about volleyball.

GIRLS’ JV3 VOLLEYBALL (Zoe and Malia - Sixth Grade)

GIRLS’ JV1 VOLLEYBALL (Teddy - Seventh Grade)

The JV1 volleyball team had such an amazing experience this year. One thing we were proud about was our team winning the championships.

We started off the season with a loss, but headed off to a good start after. We learned how to dig a volleyball, bump, set, and spike. We also learned how to always be positive when we were losing.

Our positivity led to us winning the games. After a while we became a team that supported each other until the end.

Being on the JV3 volleyball team was a very fun experience. Even though this team of all sixth graders did not win very many games, it was great to learn and play alongside friends and be taught by our coach. We learned a lot and loved going to away games together because it gave us time to listen to music and play fun games with our teammates on the car rides. All in all the volleyball season was a great opportunity to learn how to be a team and learn many new skills. We look forward to more successes in the future.

BOYS’ VARSITY SOCCER (Luke and Eman - Eighth Grade)

This year, the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade boys played soccer and we did absolutely awesome. Although the team lost to Ojai Valley School 8-0 at the beginning of the season, we played them again and beat them 3-2! We had a range in player levels with some more experienced players and others that were more beginners, but we still worked together. The team coaches also deserve a highlight, Coach Jaime and Coach Isaiah, helped us make it as far as we did. The team had an awesome season and they will do even better next year.

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THE FOURTH GRADE PRESENTS

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Santa Barbara, CA Permit No. 430

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 1795 San Leandro Lane Santa Barbara, CA 93108 www.craneschool.org

Academic Year 2023/2024 • Volume One

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

A Newsletter for Families, Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends Much of what we do at Crane is particularly powerful, memorable, and unique because it involves the whole school. One such example is the altar for El Día de los Muertos that Lower and Upper School students contribute to in either their Spanish or their art classes. This year’s altar adorned the lobby of the Wolf Performing Arts Center.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jim Copus ’92 President Paul Gauthier Vice President Clay Murdy ’93 Treasurer Jennifer Siemens Secretary Stephen Blass Elizabeth Chandler Samantha Daly Todd Eliassen Yutopia Essex Will Freeland ’00 Ryan Gellert Chris Gocong Bob Ingersoll Marc Jones Annie Kaiser Woodwyn Koons Susan McMillan Sarah Muzzy Matt Riley Sarah Sheshunoff Courtney Smith Carrie Towbes Rae Wynn-Grant Honorary Lifetime Trustee Scott C. Brittingham EDITORS Kristen '96 Peralta Debbie Williams DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lindsey McKenzie PHOTOGRAPHY Kristen '96 Peralta Teresa Pietsch COPY EDITOR Rhoda Lauten