alumni news Berkeley ’17, completed a degree in
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Sofia Schuster ’18 In sixth grade, I began my journey
Public Health. She is living in Davis with
at Crane, and was immediately immersed in the
her boyfriend, Trevin. She will enter UC
inclusive and dynamic culture. My classes in music,
Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in
theater, and English nurtured my passion for the
fall 2020.
performing arts. I took opportunities to perform
Emily Lunt ’09,
Dos Pueblos ’13, UC
Spencer Smith ’10 (pictured with his sister Summer ’13) graduated from the
in front of my peers regularly, which stretched me beyond my comfort zone and strengthened my selfconfidence, and laid the foundation for my performing career.
Santa Barbara City Fire Department’s
Last year during my freshman year of high school, I won a local singing
42nd Academy on June 12, 2020 and
competition, Teen Star, and a few months later I received a message
has begun his probationary year as a
from a casting director for American Idol. Before I knew it, I was
firefighter for the City of Santa Barbara.
performing an original song for Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke
He
Maritime
Bryan and receiving the golden ticket to Hollywood. As the youngest
with his bachelor’s degree in Marine
competitor at fifteen, I knew I was up against formidable competitors.
Transportation in 2018, then completed
In reflection of my time on American Idol, I realize it was the work ethic
the Allan Hancock Fire Academy in
and belief in myself that I learned from Crane teachers Mr. McKenzie,
2019. During that time he also worked
Ms. Teare, Mr. Downey, and Mr. Kono that enabled me to make it as far
on the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol crew
as I did. Each time I perform, I am transported to where it all began,
with his former Crane QED mentor,
on the Crane stage. The lessons I learned, the relationships fostered,
Anthony Lombardi.
and the education I received at Crane are forever embedded inside me.
Brooke McGill ’11
University of Notre Dame with a BS in
In Memoriam: David W. Russell ’39 passed away at the age of 94 in December. He was
Neuroscience and Behavior in May 2019.
born in New York City and attended Crane from the 4th through 8th
In August 2019, she began Creighton
grades. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He died peacefully
University School of Medicine. This
at home in San Mateo surrounded by his beloved family.
graduated
from
Cal
graduated from the
summer she will be involved with pediatric research.
Maud Christal ’16, Paige Levinson ’16, Zoe Lozano ’18, Molly Morouse ’18, Emma Raith ’16, and Kate Spaulding ’17 all participated in the team behind the January 29, 2020 presentation of TEDx at Laguna Blanca School.
Class of 1997 Alumni Reunion With the Thomas Fire two years ago and Crane’s 90th anniversary last year, the class of 1997 had to wait and celebrate its 20+ year reunion on December 22, 2019.
Boo Ridge ’18, honor roll and middle blocker on JV Volleyball Team at SBHS.
Diego Velazquez ’18
was named the
#1 squash player at the Santa Barbara School of Squash and was lucky enough to attend Stanford’s Summer Squad Squash Camp in 2019. He hopes to attend again this summer.
Charlotte Weis ’18 received the Frank B. Light History Cup at Cate School.
Ryan Slater ’19,
president of SBHS freshman class; JV
Volleyball.
Tatiana Young ’19 received the Joseph Knowles Foundation Arts Award at Cate School.
top row: Colin Grant, Chris Cohen, Christy Kovacs, Louis Caron, Julian Davis, Sam Cross middle row: Courtland Smith, Katie Bank, Grace Jackson bottom row: Noelle Nelson; Sierra Witnov; Sarah Bixler; Dari Cohn Sidney; Brad Vickers
