Then & Now

1957

Two young female students return from a jog around the old ‘Lap Tree.’

2022

Students play ping pong and walk to class in the Math and History Quad, which now encircles what we believe to be the same large oak on the left. What we think is the old ‘Lap Tree’ can vaguely be seen behind one of the buildings, located next to the pool.

Do we have this comparison right?

If you can tell us more about the old Lap Tree, please send a note to alumni@dunnschool.org. We’d love to make sure we’re correct about this fun piece of history!

Building Her Way Gratitude with

Dunn opportunity helps Melia Collins-Byrd ’25 thrive

From her early childhood, Melia Collins-Byrd, now a boarding sophomore, was curious about how things worked. Her mother leaned on her to set up the household DVR and fix appliances. Melia would even take electronic items apart to learn how they worked, then rebuild them.

Melia’s inquisitive nature and knack for solving problems helped her excel at KIPP Scholar Academy, a Los Angeles charter middle school. Her math teachers saw her academic potential and passion, so during a KIPP summer program, they helped Melia with her high school applications. That’s how she found out about Dunn School.

Melia applied and months later, she was beyond excited to learn she got in.

“I was going to be the first in my family to go to boarding school,” Melia said. “My mom had wanted me to attend a prestigious school and move away from the public school system. The acceptance letter said financial aid would be granted, so our entire family felt such joy, and relief, that I could commit to Dunn School.”

Melia is now excelling in a number of advanced classes, and she’s proudly taken on a range of leadership roles.

“I like that there’s so much opportunity for students to have input in decision-making here,” Melia said. “I’m currently on Loy House Council, and I’m also a member of the Interact Club, Fusion Club, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, and Birthday Club.”

Last year Melia attended (through Zoom) the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Student Diversity Leadership Conference. This year, Melia represented Dunn School at NAIS’s annual People of Color Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The conference is an opportunity for members of traditionally underrepresented groups to network and in workshops, discuss and document their experiences at predominantly white academic institutions.

“Everything we learn is brought back to Dunn,” Melia said. “And I can already see it making a difference.”

Melia also plays on Dunn’s girls volleyball teams and helps out as a campus tour guide. As a boarding student, surrounded by friends, Loy House also is a refuge for Melia.

“Getting access to a Dunn School education means I can actually consider and pursue a career in astronautical engineering,” Melia said. “I’ve always dreamed of building something that will help us explore and learn about things beyond the earth. I believe that by learning more about space, then we can learn more about new ways to protect where we live.”

We hope you have enjoyed reading the Dunn Journal. It has been an effort of love to collect the pictures, draft the articles, and gather the stories shared on these pages.

One of our favorites is the “Then & Now” pictures. It serves as a reminder that Dunn School is not only a repository of memories, but a place that exists here and now, with stories being made every day.

Whether your Dunn School story was written decades ago or is still in creation, alumni or parent, teacher or student, you are part of Tony Dunn’s wonderful legacy to educate the whole student to the best of their potential. Thank you for making

65 years of Dunn School possible!

The Anthony B. Dunn Heritage Society of 1957 was created to honor the generosity of donors who leave a legacy gift to Dunn School in their will or estate plans. These gifts can come in many forms – a bequest, a gift of real estate, or making Dunn School a named beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement fund. Legacy gifts are added to the school’s endowment, providing financial sustainability for decades to come. It’s a way to ensure that Dunn’s story isn’t The End, but always To be continued...

For more information on how you can leave a legacy at Dunn School, let’s have a conversation. And for other ways to give to Dunn, please visit www.dunnschool.org/give.

Sincerely,

Dunn School’s Office of Philanthropy philanthropy@dunnschool.org

2555 W. Highway 154 P.O. Box 98 Los Olivos, CA 93441 805.688.6471

Check out the latest at www.dunnschool.org

SAVE THE DATES:

Founder’s Day – April 28, 2023 Middle School Commencement – June 2, 2023 Upper School Commencement – June 3, 2023 Alumni Weekend – June 9-11, 2023