On Campus: Volume 2, 2022/2023

Academic Year 2022/23 • Volume Two

OnCAMPUS CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

A Newsletter for Families, Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends

Inside

The Big Toy is Back!

The funds for the new Big Toy play structure were raised at last year’s Spring Benefit - Crane Celebrates. However, between shipping and delivery delays, and the rainy Santa Barbara winter, installment didn’t begin until November 7 and the children were finally allowed to climb and swing on the Big Toy on April 3. It was definitely a lesson in patience and perseverance, but students were in agreement that it was well worth the wait!

Cover Visual Arts 2 Leading the Way 3 Virtual Grandparent Gathering 4 Math Superbowl / Golf Tourney 5 Art Show 6 Dorothy Waugh / Coyotes Outside 7 Past Parent Reunion / LS Track Meet 8 LS Spring Study Week 9 Spring Benefit + Trapeze 10-11 QED 12 Kindergarten Graduation 13 Alumni News 14-15 Class of 2023 Graduation 16-19 Alumni Spotlights 20-22 Field Day 23 Eighth Grade Speeches 24 Adiós a Joel J. & Peter G. 25 Theater Arts 26-27 I Madonnari Back Cover

THE BIG TOY IS BACK!

visual

arts

After learning about the proportions of the face, FIRST GRADE artists drew their self-portraits from direct observation and then traced multiple copies. Inspired

by Andy Warhol, artists explored color relationships while completing this fun series.

The SEVENTH GRADE students finished their study of the art studio practice by creating a map of a fantasy location. They antiquated their design by applying a coffee wash and then learned about different painting techniques. They finally completed their drawing by using sharpie markers.

Leading the Way in the opportunity to relax and

“Little School Big Plans” was a phrase coined a few years

mingle with each other while

ago that still rings true. At

being treated to their children’s

any given moment, there are

performances.

many wonderful and exciting

Spring Study Week introduced

activities happening at Crane.

the powerful theme of “The

From assembly presentations to

Ripple Effect,” illustrating our

track meets, the Crane pace

potential impact on the world

has

(or

around us. Students learned

to

poetry

culminations

become

infamous!)

legendary

near-

that what we do with others

constant flurry of events on our

given

the

multiplies, like cascading rings

campus. That said, it wasn’t

in a pond, and it became a week

long ago that this long-standing pattern changed in the face of Covid, and we had to hit pause on numerous fun and meaningful happenings that make Crane, Crane. While we certainly made the best of the hand we were dealt, it has taken time to rebuild our school’s unique collection of annual

of magical connections and experiences. I had the opportunity to co-lead an activity about air cannons and saw firsthand the looks of wonder on students’ faces as they acquired new and important knowledge while also having loads of fun!

milestones that create Crane’s treasured sense of community.

Then in May, we held the truly unforgettable Cirque du Crane

This year, not only did we reconstruct, but we also amplified

Spring Benefit on our campus, and it had something for everyone:

successful events of years past and further strengthened our

Trapeze artistry! Flame torched food! Contortionists! Juggling!

ties to one another. I am immensely proud of what was achieved

Sensational auction items! Wine toss! The list goes on and on,

thanks to the efforts of many committed Staffulty members and

but it was a once-in-a-lifetime return of this spectacular event.

our remarkable extended community.

A simple thank you does not seem sufficient for the creative and

After a few weeks of classes, the Upper Schoolers were off on Trip Week — 6th graders to Catalina, 7th graders to Yosemite, and 8th graders to the south on a Civil Rights tour. For the first time in a few

hard-working team of parents, caregivers and Staffulty who made such a memorable evening possible. It was one for the history books!

years, we celebrated the fall season with the Crane Country Fair,

Most recently, we saw the Upper School Musical, Aladdin, come

our signature event for the broader community, a definite high

to fruition, and celebrated our young thespians on the beautiful

point for decades that was on hold during the pandemic. It was

outdoor stage of the Oak Tree Quad. Our performing arts Staffulty

joyous to see cars parked the full length of San Leandro Lane, and

did an extraordinary job of bringing the show to life, and while we

a packed campus with families thoroughly enjoying themselves

look forward to using the incredible new theater space once it is

while participating in the abundance of exciting activities.

complete this fall, it has been astounding to watch our tech crew

This was followed by field trips, the Halloween Parade, Winter Sing, and the Staffulty Holiday Party. Our campus was bustling with customary fall events!

March saw the return of both the All-School Art Show and Lower School Spring Study Week, two long-standing Crane traditions.

The Art Show, which this year also included a bake sale and musical talent, was pure delight – the setup was beautiful, thanks to our art teachers’ vision implemented by hard-working parent helpers, and the collection on display was impressive, showing the wide range of materials used in our program. Families reveled

construct such functional, yet enchanting sets this year. Even unprecedented levels of rain couldn’t slow down the charisma of Crane’s performing arts.

These events (plus many more!) have given us back that old Crane feeling, a combination of creative educational activities and an all-encompassing sense of community. With each of us continuing to pitch in, I have no doubt we can accomplish anything and everything we set out to achieve.

Joel Weiss Head of School 3

Virtual Grandparent Gathering Aden Meisel ’19 • February 2023 My name is Aden Meisel. I am an alumnus and lifer of Crane Country Day School. I graduated from Crane in 2019 having spent nine years attending, from kindergarten all the way through the eighth grade. I am now a senior at Laguna Blanca School in

There are always new developments being made. Whether it is professionally-designed engineering laboratories, top-quality soccer fields, or the impeccable scenery, I can’t help but think most high school or even college students would choose to go here to study.

Hope Ranch, and in anticipation of your question,

As a kid, I was very resistant to stepping out of my comfort

no, unfortunately, I do not know yet where I am going

zone, and trust me when I say this — the entire performing

to college next year. However, I can tell you that my

arts department at Crane can attest to this. When it came to

college search has found me focusing on schools out

performing in front of large audiences, I would stubbornly opt-

on the east coast.

out. Once I was older, maybe in 7th or 8th grade, my friend finally

When I reflect back on my years at Crane, though it may sound odd to hear, I wasn’t really aware I had started learning until I was in high school. Of course, I picked up fundamental and crucial academic skills at Crane throughout my lower/middle/upper school journey, but the biggest and most powerful skill that Crane equipped me with was HOW to learn.

I remember being a first grader walking into the lower school science lab when it happened to be Halloween – our entire class was in costume. Our teacher then was the legendary Robin Satnick. Walking in, the whole floor was covered in a thick, spooky fog flowing off of the tables. Anyhow, I’d say we must have spent the first 15 minutes of class running around and playing in the fog.

The genius in Ms. Satnick doing this was not in knowing that putting dry ice in water creates fog, but in making us kids wonder how that was possible. Ms. Satnick fostered our curiosity by allowing us to interact directly with the wonders of science. It was that curiosity that motivated us to learn how science happens and how our world works.

convinced me to join the “Vibes” elective with him, which was essentially a symphony of xylophones that performed every few weeks in front of the school. After the first few weeks in the course, I remember coming home to my parents, who were beyond shocked that I had stepped onto a stage. But I remember being most surprised by the fact that I liked it. It was a fun experience that I got to share with more and more of my friends as it grew in popularity.

I could never imagine that I would have had this change of mind had I gone somewhere else. If I had attended a large public elementary school, for example, it is possible I could never have been motivated to take the opportunity to try something new.

Friendships at Crane are close in how they revolve around trying new things and discovering new passions.

Half of the things that I do today are passions that I discovered during my time at Crane. I first started playing soccer in 4th grade on an AYSO team with my entire fourth-grade class. Today, I am the captain of the Laguna Varsity boys' soccer team and we just finished in second place in our league. It was at Crane that

From my experience, any teacher, no matter their qualifications,

I first discovered my passion for piano, which has transitioned

no matter how intelligent the students, or even the resources

over time into an interest in jazz piano. Crane is where I learned

available, can lecture in their academic area to students. But that

to communicate in Spanish, which I have been able to use when

doesn’t mean that students are learning. What makes a Crane

traveling in Spanish-speaking countries.

education special is that Crane’s faculty and programs cater to students’ curiosity and interests aside from providing them with essential academic materials. The curiosity that drives me now started in my years at Crane.

The list really can go on and on, but what I mean to say is that my experience at Crane not only prepared me for the next stages in life, but shaped me as a person. I am sure that many other alumni would say they have experienced something similar to what I have

It’s hard to find where to begin when describing how much Crane

just expressed. Crane is as much a part of me as it is a school, and

has aided my transition to high school and higher education in

I will never forget the 9 fortunate years that I was lucky enough to

general. I am still in touch with a good number of close friends

have spent here.

that I made at Crane. Rather than having grade-by-grade memories looking back on my years at Crane, I remember more of a seamless and lively experience including adventures to Boston, Catalina Island, and Yosemite National Park. These are only a part of the reason why Crane’s experience is truly like none other.

There is never a time I return to this beautiful campus and don’t

4

think of how lucky I was to have received an early education here.

But I want to return to what it means to know HOW to learn.

Knowing how to learn is knowing how to think. And knowing how to think is what allows younger groups of people to not only pursue their interests, but pivot from one to the other. This asset is what most helps me achieve my goals, and I am sure it is at the

Math Superbowl / Golf Tourney

Math SuperBowl Crane's fourth, fifth, and sixth grade mathematicians soared to success at the annual Math SuperBowl.

Their intense preparation, teamwork, and outstanding performance, led Crane to an impressive 9th place out of 35 schools, while also securing remarkable gradelevel placements, such as a first place in the engineering challenge, and individual student awards. We celebrate these math superstars who proudly represented Crane!

On the weekend of February 4 and 5, the Crane community enjoyed learning and honing some golf skills. On Saturday, students were invited to a clinic taught by PGA professional Kevin Withnell, at the Santa Barbara Golf Club where they could try their hand at golf for the first time.

Crane Golf Tournament

That Sunday, thirty-five players assembled at Sandpiper Golf Club to play in our Crane Golf Tournament. The low net team consisted of parent Todd Eliassen and his sons Jack ’22, and Luke ’22, as well as nephew Jackson Sproul ’11. The top prize, rounds of golf at both La Purisima and Mission Golf Clubs, were won by Crane dads Brad AuBuchon, Chuck Genuardi, Chris Gocong, and Brett Williams.

A special thanks to the businesses that supported this event, including some local restaurants: Oku, Opal, Yoichi, Sun Sushi, and Coast & Olive.

Everyone departed with great memories and stories of good play. Stay tuned for next year!

Louis Caron ’97 Crane History Teacher, and golf enthusiast 5

All School Art Show

A celebration of community, creativity, philanthropy, and artistic expression describes this spring’s Art Show marking the return of yet another pre-pandemic annual event. Art teachers Tray London and Gretel Huglin-Ridge had a vision to elevate the Art Show by adding additional elements. The impressive artwork

by K-8 artists was accompanied by student musical performances, a bake sale supporting The Elliott Fund for children in New Orleans in memory of Elliott Perkins ’89, and a special invitation to local and visiting Crane grandparents.

Dorothy Waugh / Coyotes Outside Tribute to Dorothy C. Waugh (1935 – 2021)

Dorothy Waugh was well-known in both the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara communities as a supporter of non-profits. Known as Dody to her companions, she served on the boards of Marlborough School, the Music Center, and was a member of the Leadership Council at the Mayo Clinic, just to name a few.

take advantage of summertime so teachers can have first-hand experiences which in turn make learning come alive for their students. Up until her death in 2021, she helped to choose the recipients since its inaugural year in 2004.

Staffulty members continue to have amazing experiences thanks to her foresight and legacy.

At Crane Country Day School, she was known to the Staffulty as the supportive mother to Honorary Lifetime Trustee, Scott Brittingham, and proud grandmother of Poppy ’13 and Tommy ’16 Brittingham.

In addition, she is the creator and donor of the annual Dorothy C. Waugh Summer Education Award, a travel grant for teachers to develop curriculum. These grants

What a legacy! The experiences and values of her life have direct impact on Crane’s teachers and like the passing of a baton in track & field, imparts excitement and energy to the next in line, Crane students. We thank Dorothy Waugh for her devotion to education and to our Staffulty grantees who take their newly acquired knowledge and pass it along.

Given that she attended independent schools and had been an elementary school teacher, this summer award continues to have very specific guidelines – it is not intended to explore new curricular areas, but rather to deepen a teacher’s expertise in their primary field and to support superior teaching through a direct link between the chosen endeavor and Crane’s evolving curriculum.

Coyotes Outside Coyotes Outside is a popular after-school enrichment class offered to students in grades 2-5. Led by three Staffulty members who love the outdoors - Chandler Hartnett, Tray London, and Wendy Robins - students get to explore the natural open spaces in Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria. Hiking and exploration are paired with play, sketching, and leadership skills. The spring class observed seal pups, found frogs, waded in flowing creeks, hiked among the wildflowers, and enjoyed mountain and ocean views.

Past Parent Reunion / Track & Field Day

This year's Past Parent Reunion was held at the Helena Mason Art Gallery in the Funk Zone where two of our current parents, Chris Gocong and Josh Soskin had their artwork on display. This annual gathering is always a fun, casual event, drawing close to one hundred attendees, which everyone looks forward to each and every year!

Past Parent Reunion

Track & Field Day

8

3rd 4th 5th Grade

lower school

Spring Study Week

Spring Study Week perfectly weaves together Crane’s five core values into one intentional, interdisciplinary, multigrade, highly experiential week of learning for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

This year’s Lower School Spring Study Week was a huge success.

The chosen theme was “The Ripple Effect.” By definition, this is the "continuing and spreading results of an event or action." With this theme in mind, our amazing educators created 15 incredible workshops which all students experienced in mixed aged groups.

Topics varied greatly from the sciences to stop motion animation and the magic of music. The week ended as we nurtured two of Crane’s values “Put We Before Me” and “Cultivate Kindness” by participating in a service learning project to help Showers of Blessings, a Santa Barbara non-profit which offers assistance to people experiencing homelessness. Together, we created 150 care packages which were distributed to people in need in hopes that this small act of kindness will have a positive ripple effect within our local community and beyond.

Dawn Brews Head of Lower School

9

Spring Benefit

10

Since it was decided that our Spring Benefit this year was to take place on campus, the next point of business was the theme. With a very creative and dedicated committee of parents, our Cirque du Crane event was imagined. It was pictured as a circus, but not your 3-ring variety, more à la Cirque du Soleil. Chic, sophisticated and ­­­stylized. They were also committed to incorporating the students somehow, understanding that the evening was adults only. Trapeze artistry was a must, and since there was already an existing connection with one member of the committee to Santa Barbara Trapeze, a partnership with Crane was born. The next thing we knew, a trapeze rig was installed on campus!

Each grade had a 90-minute opportunity to participate with the skilled trapeze performers to try out the varied equipment and moves – experiential education at its best where the children’s reactions afterwards ranged from overcoming fear to new-found confidence, or how they had zero intention of trying it, but did so, and (surprise! surprise!) they loved it!

Spring Benefit – Trapeze

QED

The seventh grade QED (Quests, Explorations, Discoveries) Project uncovers students’ unique voices and allows them to pursue their passions. Within the QED framework, students pinpoint a subject of study that captures their curiosity and are paired with a community mentor who possesses expertise in that particular field. Together, the student and mentor collaborate outside the classroom and immerse themselves in the learning process. This metamorphic experience aligns seamlessly with our core value of "Doing Deepens Discovery," emphasizing learning as a journey that leads to real transformation when engaging minds, hands, and hearts.

12

seventh grade

Kindergarten Graduation

13

alumni news Congratulations Class of 2019!

Best of luck next year and be sure to come visit us!

Thank you to those who provided us with the following information.

Class of 2019 Malia Alzina

Attended: Santa Barbara High School (MAD) Attending: Loyola Marymount National Honors Society/CSF Community Service Principal’s Award Varsity Beach / Indoor Volleyball All Channel League

Cosi Arthurs

Attended: San Marcos High School Attending: Texas State University, BFA Acting Program

Paul Bitters

Attended: Carpinteria High School Attending: University of California at Santa Barbara; Computer Engineering Academic Excellence Award in Science/Math Certificate of Excellence Award in Engineering Excellence Award in Language Arts

Owen Block

Ani Furmanski

Attended: Ventura High School Attending: University of Colorado at Boulder

Izzy Gaggero

Attended: Laurel Springs School Attending: University of Colorado at Boulder

Gigi Geyer

Lulu Marsetti

Audrey Gifford

Joe McGonigle

Attended: Cate School Attending: Tufts University

Attended: Santa Barbara High School Attending: Santa Barbara City College

Erich Goebel

Jackson Briggs

Jack Gordon

Attended: Middle College Attending: gap year

Quinn Collins-Burgard

Attended: San Marcos High School Attending: Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

Tyler Hughes

Attended: San Marcos High Attending: Vanderbilt Crescere Aude Summer Merit Scholarship (Vanderbilt) Lacrosse 1st Team All Channel League Pioneer Academic Research Program

Attended: San Marcos High School Isabelle Kim Attending: University of California at San Diego Attended: Lakefield College School Attending: Rollins College (FL) Rowan Dowdall Honors Scholar with Distinction Attended: Santa Barbara High School Lakefield Lifetime Achievement Award in the Attending: California Institute of the Arts Performing Arts Rollins Presidential Merit Scholarship

Oliver Dworsky

Attended: Cate School Attending: University of Chicago Inaugural Computational Thinking Award

Hannah Markham

Attended: Episcopal High School (VA) Attending: Southern Methodist University Academic High List 10-12th Grades

Attended: Carpinteria High; Salutatorian Attending: Cornell College Varsity Baseball all 4 years Academic All-League & First Team for Citrus Coast League All-CIF Baseball Honors

Nora Collins-Burgard

Attended: Cate School Attending: Catholic University 9 Varsity Letters Athletic Award for Sportsmanship Teaching Assistant Award

Attended: Laurel Springs School Attending: Cal Poly (SLO)

Ollie Gaggero

Attended: Nichols School (NY) Attending: Grinnell College Yale Cup Williams Book Award Head of School Award

Attended: Mound Westonka High School (MN) Attending: University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management Magna cum laude Double Varsity Athlete (soccer & tennis) National Honor Society/competed for DECA

Emmett Mack

Kendall Kopeikin

Attended: Santa Barbara High School Attending: Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Tech Provost Scholarship SBHS Alumni Association Scholarship Youth Well Intern

Attended: Middle College – Alta Vista High Attending: Bard College

Attended: The Thacher School Attending: Princeton Quarterback Head Prefect

Aden Meisel

Attended: Laguna Blanca School Attending: Dartmouth College

Ximena Mejia

Attended: Carpinteria High School Attending: Santa Barbara City College

Molly Morouse

Attended: Laguna Blanca School; Salutatorian Attending: University of Southern California, Marshall School Cum Laude Scholar Spirit that is Laguna Blanca Award Tennis Team

Isabella Ochoa

Attended: Dos Pueblos High School Attending: gap year (Austin, TX)

Babacar Pouye

Attended: Cate School Attending: Bates College Most Inspirational Athlete Miramar Award Basketball Player of the Year – SBArt

Jacqueline Richardson

Attended: Laguna Blanca School Attending: NYU, Schack Institute of Real Estate First Team All Frontier League in soccer/volleyball Bridgman Spanish Award

Class of 2019 Ella Robins

Attended: Dos Pueblos High School (DPEA) Attending: Northeastern University National Honor Society/CSF Volunteered in Thailand restoring coral reefs Volunteered in Costa Rica protecting sea turtles

alumni news

class of 2019 reunion

Bach Ryan

Attended: Redwood High School Attending: Princeton University

Lauren Schweitzer

Attended: San Marcos High School Attending: Wesleyan University AP Scholar with Distinction National Honor Society/CSF English Dept Award

Sontene Sedlin

Attended: Santa Barbara High School Attending: University of Southern California

Jade Silva

Attended: Laguna Blanca School Attending: San Francisco State University

Ryan Slater

Attended: Santa Barbara High School Attending: Boston University/Kilachand Honors College Class President (3 years) Dartmouth Book Award Outstanding Academic Achievement CIF Volleyball

Lucas Urizar-Garcia

Attended: Carpinteria High School Attending: SUNY-Purchase

Arnav Wadhwa

Attended: Dos Pueblos High School Attending: Purdue University

Elli Westmacott

Attended: Laguna Blanca School Attending: University of Washington

Jack Wintringham

Attended: Laurel Springs School Attending: Apprenticeship

Tatiana Young

Attended: Cate School Attending: Scripps College Santa Barbara Foundation Academic Merit Scholarship Gold Key, National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

15

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL CLASS OF 2023

front row Aydin Barry

Ronan Dowling* Leila Hawkes

Lucien Dempsey Java Holloway* Dani DeLucia Teke Meisel*

Zoe Campbell

Chloe Bellamy*

back row

Jamie Levinson*

Marlow Rogers*

Sebastian Ayala

Austin Muzzy*

Henry Duran

Peter Markham* Luc d'Offay

Jordan Caratachea

Zachary Pesapane Jackson Muller* Kaya Hernandez

Maisie Duncan Owen Eiler*

Paolo Shamshiri

Noe Iventura Castro

Reagan Mack

Mia Talerico*

Avery Barrell

Fiona McCoy*

Loma Murdy*

Kaden Greene*

Piper Kulkin

* K-8 Crane "Lifer"

All names in order from left to right

The Crane faculty and staff are very proud of the accomplishments of the eighth grade class of 2023 and wish them the best of luck in their high school adventures.

Bishop Diego High School Java Holloway Loma Murdy

George Whittell High School (Lake Tahoe) Zackary Pesapane

Cate School

Laguna Blanca School

Aydin Barry Kaden Greene Jackson Muller Campbell Hall (Los Angeles)

Sebastian Ayala Luc d’Offay Piper Kulkin Jamie Levinson Austin Muzzy

Paolo Shamshiri

Oaks Christian Online School

Dos Pueblos High School

Reagan Mack

Jordan Caratachea Dani DeLucia (DPEA) Kaya Hernandez (DPEA)

San Marcos High School

Exeter Zoe Campbell

Chloe Bellamy (AAPLE) Henry Duran (AAPLE) Owen Eiler (AAPLE) Peter Markham (AAPLE) Fiona McCoy Teke Meisel (AAPLE)

Santa Barbara High School Lucien Dempsey Leila Hawkes (MAD) Noe Iventura Mia Talerico (MAD) The Thacher School Avery Barrell Ronan Dowling Maisie Duncan Marlow Rogers

Awards

Class of 2023

Head’s Prize

Lejeune Teaching Fellowship

description Awarded to the student who, through

description An annual award for an inspirational teacher

leadership, participation, and consideration of others, has served best as an example for us all

recipient

Reagan Mack

Amiability Award description Awarded to the student who showed the greatest cooperation with congeniality toward all

recipient

Loma Murdy

Art Cup description Given for exellence in studio art or design that consistently highlights original thought and creativity

recipient

Jordan Caratachea Java Holloway

recipient

Christine Bouma

lower school science Teacher

Lejeune Language Award (Spanish Cup) description Given in memory of founding Head of School Arnold Lejeune for outstanding achievement, effort, and enthusiasm in the study of the Spanish language and culture

recipient

Peter Markham

Library Award description Given to the student who shows a voracious appetite for books and reading, who uses the library resources well, and is an avid participant in the summer reading program

recipient

Loma Murdy

Dan McCaslin History Cup

Music Cup

description Given in honor of retired teacher Dan

description Awarded for diligent study and accomplishment

McCaslin to the student that demonstrates outstanding effort, achievement, curiosity, and consistent participation in the study and discussion of history

in the realm of music

recipient

Peter Markham

David Echols Math Cup description Given in honor of former Crane teacher David Echols to the student with outstanding performance in mathematics

recipients Henry Duran

Jackson Muller

Design & Engineering Award description Given to recognize the student whose designs have exhibited social consciousness, outstanding skill in fabrication, and technical innovation

recipient

Piper Kulkin

description Awarded for outstanding participation and memorable performance on the stage

Chloe Bellamy

Julia Brown English Cup description Given in honor of former English teacher Julia Brown to the student who has demonstrated the highest achievement and greatest love of learning English

recipient

Austin Muzzy

Katharine Faletti Performing Arts Cup description Given in memory of Katharine Faletti for outstanding contribution in the performing arts

recipient

18

Lucien Dempsey

Rose Bowl description Given in honor of former Crane teacher Cathy Rose, to an unmistakably unconventional eighth grader

recipient

Marlow Rogers

Science Cup description Awarded to the student who most closely embodies, through outstanding effort and achievement, the popular sentiment at Crane that “science is everywhere”

recipient

Piper Kulkin

Sports Cup description Awarded for outstanding performance and participation in athletics

recipients Reagan Mack

Drama Cup

recipients

recipient

Zoe Campbell

Teke Meisel

Talia S. Klein Award description Given to the student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has been an unassuming force for good

recipients Owen Eiler

Jamie Levinson

Technical Theater Award description Given to the student who has excelled in the mastery of all electronic systems used in the theater

recipient

Dani DeLucia

Congratulations Graduates

Class of 2023

Awards

Tower Achievement Award description Awarded to the student who showed greatest academic improvement through effort and application

recipient

Luc d’Offay

Writing Cup description Given to a student who has demonstrated significant interest in continual excellence in writing

recipient

Piper Kulkin

Award Recipients (left-right) Chloe Bellamy Drama Cup Zoe Campbell Katharine Faletti Performing Arts Award Jordan Caratachea Art Cup Dani DeLucia Technical Theater Award Lucien Dempsey Music Cup Henry Duran David Echols Math Cup Owen Eiler Talia S. Klein Award Java Holloway Art Cup Piper Kulkin Design & Engineering Award Science Cup Writing Cup Jamie Levinson Talia S. Klein Award Reagan Mack Head’s Prize Sports Cup Peter Markham Dan McCaslin History Cup Lejeune Language Award (Spanish Cup) Teke Meisel Sports Cup Jackson Muller David Echols Math Cup Loma Murdy Amiability Award Library Award Austin Muzzy Julia Brown English Cup Luc d’Offay Tower Achievement Award Marlow Rogers Rose Bowl Christine Bouma Lejeune Teaching Fellowship

Award Recipients!

19

alumni spotlight peter bonning ’94 With no experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, or municipal processes, the foursome began asking questions of those people in-the-know.

They combined knowledge gleaned from many conversations and began to apply it to an outreach program that would serve Carpinteria for years to come.

Peter connected with fellow Crane alumnus, John Haan ’93 later that year to explore the creation of a skatepark. Peter and John knew the formation of a non-profit organization would help legitimize this movement and facilitate the fundraising necessary to Founded in 2009 by Peter Bonning ’94, and three lifelong friends, the Carpinteria Skate Foundation (CSF) has grown from a grassroots movement for the development of a multi-use recreational facility in the community, to a multifaceted non-profit organization working in close partnership with Carpinteria and its school district. For its efforts on behalf of the residents, the CSF was recognized by the

drive a municipal campaign.

From the outset, the CSF directors were focused on creating a facility that would encourage empathy and understanding and would be a family friendly environment, while at the same time be a world-class venue capable of attracting visitors and initiate a revenue stream for local businesses.

Carpinteria City Council as the Community Partner/Business Award

In partnership with Carpinteria, CSF made the slow trek through

recipient for 2022.

the processes of developing this project. With unending positive

CSF is dedicated to fostering recreational and extracurricular opportunities in the local community. Through the creation of

support and generous financial contributions, CSF was able to cut a $1.5M check to the city in 2021 to break ground.

the Carpinteria Skate Park and the PUSH

With

PROJECT, CSF works to maintain inclusive

construction,

spaces designed for creative self-expression,

organization was approached

with a focus on engaging a growth mindset.

by the Carpinteria School

Having grown up participating in a healthy balance of team and creative sports, like surfing and skateboarding, CSF’s founders understood the importance of alternative spaces with a low barrier of entry for creative self-expression and exercise. The inclusive, supportive, and generationally diverse nature of skateboard culture, and its sheer popularity, made it stand out among the key components missing from this idyllic beachside hamlet.

One night in 2009, Peter and his friends were engaged in dinner table conversation about what it might take to build a skatepark, and further, what effect it might have on the larger community. This conversation spawned a poll taken at the Rincon Classic that year to determine public interest. The response was so overwhelmingly positive that it was decided to lean into this effort.

the

under the

District to partner in the creation of an afterschool program for middle school students. With his classroom teaching

experience

Peter

developed a plan rooted in visual arts, while promoting personal growth, creative selfexpression, financial literacy, and academic accountability. And the PUSH PROJECT was born. Carpinteria Middle School students are enrolled at no cost and have daily access to the program at the CSF headquarters, Culture Skate Factory. Carpinteria High School students earn community service hours towards graduation serving as mentors in the program, and all students enrolled play a tangible role in the development and maintenance of the new skatepark.

Peter Bonning ’94 is Executive Director at the Carpinteria Skate Foundation. For more information and ways to support, please visit www.carpskatepark.org and @carp_skatepark

20

park

alumni spotlight faha banks ’83

Being a pre-first (kindergarten)

Association All-Star game. In both her SBCC seasons, Faha was

student through eighth grade,

recognized by her teammates earning the Team Player Award

Faha was a Crane lifer. Her

because in addition to being a scorer, she was also a willing passer

siblings (Mweiu ’83, Simon ’87,

who led the team in assists.

and Maiesha ’03) also attended.

Even at an early age, Faha was known for her athleticism. She is the only Crane student whose name graces the All-Around Girl Athlete Award for her three consecutive Upper School years — 1983, 1984, and 1985!

California State University East Bay was Faha’s next destination where she completed her BA in sociology with a minor in ethnic studies. She returned to Santa Barbara ready to make an impact in the basketball community by starting the Blazers Girls’ Basketball traveling team with former UCSB star Carrick DeHart. Faha also served as an assistant basketball coach at SBCC during the 1995-1998 seasons and has been an assistant girls’ basketball coach at SBHS for the past 8 years.

Upon graduation from Crane, Faha stood out as an all-star hall of famer — she was an inductee into the 2013 Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Hall of Fame for her stellar career in Santa Barbara High School basketball, softball and track. It’s no wonder she followed that with standout performances at SBCC.

Faha’s passion for serving the youth in our community goes far beyond points, assists, and rebounds. Her 21-year career working in the Santa Barbara Juvenile Probation Department is testimony to her commitment to help young people prosper. Currently, she works for the Santa Barbara Unified School District as a Family Engagement

Faha was no stranger to basketball success when she arrived at SBCC in 1989. A 4-year starter on the SBHS Girls’ Basketball team, she was selected as the SBHS Athlete of the Year as a senior. She was also a first team All-Channel League and CIF selection.

Liaison at Washington School.

To the present day, Faha continues to

demonstrate

her

winning

spirit by contributing to the

As a freshman at SBCC, Faha averaged 12.5 pts per game and set

local community with the same

a single game record for most 3-point-shots in a game going 6 for

passion, tenacity, perseverance

6 vs Glendale. She was an All-Western State Conference selection

and work ethic that defined her

and earned a full scholarship to Chapman University (Div. 2).

style of play.

Faha returned to SBCC in 1991-92, improving her scoring average to 18.2 points per game which helped guide the Vaqueros to a second-

She’s the proud

mother of her wonderful sons, Dallas and Mason Redick.

place finish in the powerful WSC North Division. She earned WSC

On June 16, Faha was named to

All-Conference as well as All-State honors where she participated

the SBCC Vaqueros Hall of Fame; congratulations!

in the California Community College Women’s Basketball Coaches

cooper allebrand ’07 and niko comati ’07 Cooper and

Allebrand

Niko

Comati

’07

jumped into the wine world, quickly picking up a job with Storm

’07

Wines (a renowned Santa Barbara County winery), and enrolled in

met at Crane’s pre-first

the UC Davis winemaker certification program. Revisiting an old

(kindergarten) class in the

idea hatched in 2017, Cooper and Niko decided to invest in some high-

fall of 1998. They built a

quality grapes and make remarkable and delicious wines they love.

deep friendship over their love for soccer and the ocean. As youngsters, they were fiercely competitive and always tried to outdo each other, but Crane created an atmosphere that helped them move past their rivalry and thrust them towards the rewards of trustworthy teamwork.

As they grew older their friendship grew stronger. After attending universities on opposite sides of the country, Cooper eventually moved back to Santa Barbara in 2020. Niko had been working in wineries for a couple years in northwest Italy, New Zealand, and all around the California central coast. Upon Cooper’s return, he also

2021 is their inaugural vintage, making Cab Franc, Syrah, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Riesling.

Their business is the result of the desire to build

community

through

approachability

and collaboration with local artists, chefs, musicians, and artisans.

Alamati Wines (a combination of their last names) is their label, and they were kind enough to donate cases to pour at the Cirque du Crane Spring Benefit.

alumni spotlight hans rheinschild ’88 Interview with Crane alumnus Hans Rheinschild, the current principal at Monte Vista Elementary School:

Tell me a bit about your personal life.

I've been married to Gina Bernacchia Rheinschild for almost 20 years. We live in Buellton with our two children, 17-year-old son

I attended Crane from grades 1-6 (19801986); attended SBMS for grades 7-9 and am a graduate of Santa Barbara High School ’92. I received my Master of Teaching from Bennington College in Vermont ’00 and my Education Specialist of Educational Administration from Appalachian State University in North Carolina ’15.

What are your three best memories of Crane?

In no particular order:

Wylder and 14-year-old daughter Cambria, and two mega highenergy dogs. They both attend Dunn School in Los Olivos. Cambria recently returned from Thailand where she worked at an elephant sanctuary. Wylder is on a mission to figure out how to ride an e-bike around the world. My main hobby is hiking the San Rafael Wilderness in search of hidden Chumash rock art.

I also fear that I am slowly

• Falling headfirst out of the big oak tree on picture day in grade 5

turning into a birder.

and breaking my arm. Legendary.

• Mizz Rose,s creative writing class was a favorite.

Anything else you would like to add?

• I mostly remember Crane as a huge, green campus surrounded by trees and feeling the need to fully explore everything.

I believe when someone

How did you come to be a school principal? How long have you worked at Monte Vista and what is the most enjoyable part of your job?

has

had

really

school

great

experiences

such as I with Crane,

I started out as a middle school English teacher in North Carolina.

SBMS, Bennington, etc.,

After a few years, the school promoted me to Literacy Facilitator

these schools create an

where I supervised the school-wide English program. This led to an

inherent drive to share

assistant principal position at Clemmons Elementary School. My

this

family then decided to move back home to California and ended up

learning with others. This

in Buellton where I served as the principal of Oak Valley Elementary

has become my calling,

and Jonata Middle from 2016-2020. I am now nearing the end of my

my career and something

third year as principal of Monte Vista Elementary. The favorite part

that I'm honored to do

of my job is spending time with the students. I try to sit at a different

every day.

deeply

impactful

lunch table every day. I'm so happy to spend my days working beneath the mountains that I hiked as a kid!

alumni news

Crane 2018 Alumni home for the holidays: Charlotte Weis, Ami Wallmark, Jaeda Spence, Ella Jones

Debbie Williams with Mike Jimenez ʼ00 and sons Hunter ʼ31, Ethan ʼ28, and brother, Justin ʼ06

22

San Marcos Theater siblings Cosi ʼ19 and Beckett ʼ22 Arthurs had the opportunity to be on stage together multiple times

Graduates from 2019 at Santa Barbara High School’s prom: l-r: Erich Goebel, Audrey Gifford, Kendall Kopeikin, Oliver Dworsky

Field Day

23

Eighth Grade Eighth Grade Speeches The long-standing tradition of the eighth grade speech serves as a powerful embodiment of our core value, "Value Your Voice." It is a memorable occasion where our students take center stage at Assembly and showcase their growth and potential. This aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for learning, embracing new challenges, and taking risks. Through this experience, our students build their confidence, and ignite their curiosity, discovering the transformative power of their own voices.

Here are the 2022-23 speech topics:

By Piper Kulkin

24

Peter Glynn and Joel Jamison’s time at Crane overlapped by 15 years; fortuitously they found friendship and several mutual interests during their tenures.

How did you find yourself at Crane?

PG: I ended up at Crane kind of by accident. In 2008, I was researching how to obtain an education grant to teach in the Goleta School District and stumbled upon an ad for a math specialist at Crane. The rest is history!

JJ: Back in the 1990s, I had a musician friend who was in charge of maintenance at Crane. He actually recruited me to play at the Crane Country Fair in ’93 and ’94 so I was somewhat familiar with the campus and some of the teachers. In the summer of 1995, a spot opened up and I joined the maintenance team!

Would you share your favorite place on campus?

PG: My favorite place is out on the field watching kids playing tag, soccer, etc.

JJ: I love being on my lawnmower down at the far end of the soccer field looking back at the campus with the mountains and Montecito Peak in the background.

What is your favorite Crane memory?

PG: My favorite memories will be of all the wonderful Friday Spotlights. Mr. Kono does a splendid job helping kids highlight their talents for everyone to enjoy.

JJ: There are too many to list! I've always been a big fan of daily Assembly and the Spring Musical. The first show I was involved with was Oliver in the spring of ’96. Bennett Barbakow ’96 played Fagan and just killed it! I had so much fun being part of a team bringing a show to life; I will always remember that fondly.

We wish them both many happy retirement years and know that they will continue to play music and hike in the backcountry together. . . Happy Trails!

These five bandmates represent over 150 years of service to Crane! l-r: Doug McKenzie (former US math teacher), Joel Jamison, Chris Caretto (former 5th grade teacher), Dan McCaslin (former US Social Studies teacher), Peter Glynn

Adiós a Joel Jamison and Peter Glynn

kindergarten | Puppy Town

second grade | Enchanted or Not!

UPPER SCHOOL MUSICAL

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

OnCAMPUS A Newsletter for Families, Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends Academic Year 2022/2023 • Volume Two

CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

I Madonnari 2023 – After studying the life and work of both Alma Thomas and Jean-Michel Basquiat this year, Crane students were thrilled to create this large-scale design celebrating both artists. It was so fun to watch students of all ages jump right in with confidence and help each other learn the tricks of painting with chalk.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jim Copus ’92 President Christina Stoney Vice President Clay Murdy ’93 Treasurer Paul Gauthier Secretary Tamar Adegbile Stephen Blass Todd Eliassen Will Freeland ’00 Chris Gocong Bob Ingersoll Annie Kaiser Susan McMillan Sarah Muzzy Matt Riley Sarah Sheshunoff Jennifer Siemens Courtney Smith Carrie Towbes Honorary Lifetime Trustee Scott C. Brittingham

EDITOR Debbie Williams DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lorie Bacon SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER Teresa Pietsch COPY EDITOR Rhoda Lauten