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Steffi Colopy: The Employees' Association of the German School: Recent History
by admissions
Steffi Colopy
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On Behalf of the Trustee Council of the Employees Association of the German School of Washington DC.
Many hundreds of well educated graduates of the German School prospering in numerous professions around the globe having been strongly influenced by the nurturing, guidance and careful instruction of the school s faculty and staff. Some of them were here for less than two years, others for their entire pre-university education. Then as now graduates are routinely admitted to the best universities in Europe. Comparable success in the Untied States includes Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Penn, Duke, MIT, Cal Tech and the University of Chicago, a fair metric of educational quality.
The employees are the longest serving unit of the school since its founding, the enduring guardians of its physical and academic structure. Not surprisingly, the institutional memory of the school resides primarily in its employees, dedicated individuals who sustain the school s unique mission. Besides its routine duties as the representative organization of the school s employees, the Employees Association has been stalwart in promoting and defending pedagogic excellence and academic integrity against occasionally intrusive influences, regularly reaffirming its founding principles, chief of which is the commitment to the educational excellence and the benefit of the students.
The relationship between the EA and the school
management often has been turbulent, largely as s a function of the frequent rotation of elected board members and educational leaders designated by the German government. The school s unique structure and its partial sponsorship by the German government contributed from the beginning to ambiguity about which and how regulations and laws apply. Frequent changes in the composition of the board brought corresponding shifts in management agendas and personal notions of academic priorities. These ambiguities contributed to a lack of clarity and consistency, spawning misunderstandings, resistance to capricious initiatives, academic interference and abuses of authority. Consequently, employees colored much of the school s history. anxieties have
The most significant decision of the US event in the EA s existence was the National Relations Board in 1982 ordering the board to recognize the EA as the legitimate representative of all of the supervisory personnel. Echoes of those school s turbulent non- days and those same issues over the last six years were again intensifying. Happily for the school, the most urgent ones were prudently resolved in 2010 when newly elected board leaders along with the EA representatives together worked through the flashpoints and put their relationship on a professional, respectful and coop- erative footing. In this way the EA and the board reaffirmed in practical terms their commitment to the long term quality and success of the school and the well being of its students.
We look forward to the school s great success in the
next fifty years.
"Board president, Jutta Frankfurter, greets EA head, Steffi Colopy, following the signing of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement on 1/11/11 at the school. The long awaited break-through agreement stabilized and strengthened cooperation between the Employees Association and the leadership of the school."
On the Job Bei der Arbeit
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the German School, a call went forth to former students and colleagues or anyone who has had close ties to the DSW. With Facebook and other media, it was possible to reach hundreds of alumni.
In fact, I was surprised that I was able to send a notice to over 600 "friends" of the "German School -- Deutsche Schule -- Washington D.C." that they should: Write something about themselves in connection with the "On the Job" section, giving their name, their DSW attendance, their present job title and company name, its location, and some information about what they do. In other words, why is their job interesting/important? They should also include something about the DSW: An important memory or a reason the DSW was a valuable experience for them. Finally, they should send a picture of themselves showing them at their place of work (or, if they are are retired, some other meaningful context).
I was very pleased with the results and found it especially rewarding to re-establish contact with many former students and colleagues. And I was especially pleased to discover that my former fifth and sixth graders had joined the ranks of international bankers, airline pilots, emergency- care physicians, and glamour industry consultants. Their submissions follow on the next few pages.
Here is the Web address for those of you who have not yet visited the German School Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/German -School-Deutsche-Schule-Washington-DC/ 442964500715?v=info
-the Editor
Thorsten Karg
Project Manager, Deutsche Welle's DW-AKADEMIE, Asia Division www.dw-akademie.de
DSW: 1974 - 1978 (6th to 9th grades)
I work as a media trainer for Deutsche Welle's DW-AKADEMIE. We're based in Bonn, Germany, but most of the workshops I teach are in different Asian countries--anywhere from China to Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan or Mongolia. These training courses are part of Germany's developmental aid effort and are largely funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
I train radio and online journalists in developing countries, mainly in Asia. I teach these young journalists how to write news, conduct interviews or put together information-oriented radio programs. What I really enjoy about this kind of work is that I get to work with people from different countries and cultures. I learn a lot from them. And in addition, I get to travel to far-away places and even get paid for it. But don't get the wrong impression: these aren't pleasure trips and we're often working in pretty depressing surroundings. But it feels good to see that you can make a difference. In the attached photograph, you see me during a workshop in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. The colorful cards behind me are a tool we use to visualise.
Studying at the DSW as a teenager was my first daily contact with people from other backgrounds. It made me sensitive for different ways of thinking, different cultures and different life-styles. What I learned there has been a valuable asset throughout my life.
Sven Stockmann
Flugkapitan, Deutsche Lufthansa
DSW: 1976 - 1981 (1 bis 5 Klasse.)
Ich bin bei Lufthansa Kapitän auf dem A320. Besonders gefreut hat es mich, als ich als Copilot auf dem Jumbo selber auf dem Dulles Airport in Washington gelandet bin, wo ich als kleiner Junge oft unter Tränen meinen Vater verabschiedet habe, der damals für die Weltbank in D.C gearbeitet hat und viel verreisen musste. Inzwischen lebe ich mit meiner Familie in Frankfurt und freue mich schon als Kapitän vielleicht demnächst mit einer A 380 nach USA fliegen zu dürfen.
Sebastian Führes
Officer cadet with the German Air Force Munich, Germany
DSW: Abi 2008
An ever changing and very interresting job! Right now im studying electrical engineering, and I can't wait to use my knowledge that I am acquiring right now after my university time!
Ilaria Alber-Glanstaetten at the Serpentine Gallery s Pavilion by Jean Nouvelle, London and making fashion news in Instyle Magazine
Ilaria Alber-Glanstaetten
CEO of PROVENANCE, a creative marketing agency specialising in luxury and premium goods and services. She is based in London.
DSW: 1982 to 1992, 4th grade to the Abitur
Today is a sunny day in London and it s hard not to love everything about my job. I love the fact that I work in Golden Square in London s groovy Soho neighbourhood, I love the view out of my sixth floor office window over the rooftops, the London Eye emerging in the distance, and I love the hustle and bustle of the building that I work in, an edifice heaving with creativity and filled with twenty-something hipsters with crazy haircuts wearing skinny jeans. I love the fact that my days are never the same, that today I wrote copy for a brochure for a new ultra premium whisky, reviewed (translation: ridiculously photography from an expensive) accessories photo shoot with my Art Director, discussed what constitutes an authentic travel experience with my Paris based client at Relais & Chateaux, and put together a project proposal for a British furniture brand.
Two years ago, I founded a niche creative marketing agency for premium and luxury goods and services called Provenance we create advertising campaigns, marketing concepts, and design and write brochures and websites, among other things. How I got here is, as most things in life are, a combination of serendipity and determination. Why I got here has a lot to do with where I come from and who I am. I have a sense for the aesthetic and a creative vein that is in my blood my Italian grandfather was an artist a love for language and languages that is certainly the result of an international upbringing, and, without question, a which the German great educational background in School has played a fundamental role.
The greatest skills I acquired at the German School are focused on communication. Today these skills are the backbone of my professional life: how to write, organize and present my thoughts. I owe this primarily to Mr. George Padaroff whose rigorous approach to teaching both writing and presenting though sometimes painful was extremely effective. Today, when I stand in front of an audience to make a presentation, everything he taught us, from how to introduce another speaker, to how to make eye-contact, to how to craft and build an argument, comes into play.
My love for language and literature and the creativity of writing is owed to all of my English and German teachers. The advanced level at which we read and analyzed literary texts provided an exceptional foundation for my university studies and beyond. And, on a general note, while we sometimes scoffed at the
concept of the Allgemeinwissen, today, I find that it helps me get through most any situation, business or social, in which I have to make a connection or start a conversation with a perfect stranger.
A great education is an incredible gift; a great bilingual education is an even more exceptional one. As kids and teenagers, we took it for granted, but with each passing year, my appreciation for the education I received at the German School grows.
Happy 50th Anniversary, DSW!
Jenica Clocker
Art student in textile design in Scotland Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
DSW: 1995-2008, Abitur
Art school is surprisingly relaxed and surprisingly rigorous at the same time. Not having to be in the studio until 10 AM and getting to do nothing but art related studies all day - how great is that? On the other hand, there is a steep learning curve. What is expected in terms of creative output and quality is much different than at school. Developing an 'eye' for quality research, successful designs specific to your specialism and developing your particular strengths to a professional level takes time and lots of hard work. Talent isn't everything!
The first part of any project is primary research. We take lots of photos of pretty much anything we find inspiring from modern architecture to the seaside. It's all about defining and zooming in on the specific qualities of your chosen inspiration. Then we spend weeks at our desks drawing and designing. We try to capture the textures, qualities of line and shape, and scale in our drawings. During the designing process we try to translate the desirable properties of our drawings into successful designs for knit, print, embroidery or weave. Some things to consider when designing is pattern placement and scale, balanced combinations of shapes or lines and harmonious colour palettes. Another important aspect to consider when designing is the limitation of each specialism and the end use of your design/textile.
Finally, we turn our designs into reality. An important component of a textile degree is the craft element. We learn how to use knitting machines, looms, different types of embroidery machines and how to print with various dyes and techniques. There's a lot to learn and master. Many of the machines seem to have a mind of their own! It is a very labour intensive process with lots of trial and error but also very exciting and fun.
Some of our projects are 'live' projects, meaning we have to produce a collection for a specific company such as Voyage Decoration. It gives us the experience and the chance to design for a real client. Often there is a monetary prize for the winner or an internship with the client's company. During the summer between 3rd and 4th year we take an internship to gain industry experience and see wether we would like to design for interiors or fashion.
Along side our studio course we have Historical and Critical Studies. Here we learn about art- history, theories, and discourses. Each week there is a lecture and a discussion group as well as individual tutorials. Every trimester we are required to write an extended essay or critical review for submission. It is much more academic than school and the bar is certainly raised. The biggest difference is the amount of self directed study we are required to undertake.
All in all I enjoy the course very much. It's challenging, interesting and fun. I'm excited to see what the final year will bring!
Simone Müller-Hesidenz
Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors Norddeutsche Landesbank Luxembourg S.A.
DSW: 1981 - 1983 (Abitur)
Well, I was at DSW from 1981 to 1983 (Simone Huss, George Padaroff's class) having finished with the Abitur. My sister Bettina (Huss) was in Peter Dreher's English class.
After school I started working with the German Military Representative until my familiy left the USA in March 1985.
In the summer of 1985 I started a 2 year vocational training as paralegal in Bonn which I finished successfully. I worked at the lawyers office for 2 more years. Then I switched to a bank as data typist. I worked there for almost 14 years and I left the bank as Assistant to one of the members of the board in 2002. For a short time employed in Saarbruecken with a biotech company before I started working in Luxemburg with one of the leading auditing firms. Now I am working with a bank, again as Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Manaing Directors. It is a small bank (9 employees) specialized in the covered bond business.
I am working in a multinational environment, German is the main language but I have to communicate in English and of course French as well. I even can understand Luxemburgish which is a mixture of French, Flemish, German and even a bit of English.
Jessica Fields
Physician, Department of Cardiology, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC DSW: Abitur 1994
Jascha Fields
Counselor Orlanda, Florida DSW: Abitur 1996
I am Jessica N. Fields, the daughter of Birgit Fields, who is still teaching French and Spanish at the German School. This picture shows me with my brother Jascha D. Fields. After receiving my medical doctor's degree in 2002 at the University of Tel Aviv in Israel, I began to work at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. I now work in the Department of Cardiology at the Washington Hospital Center.
I love my profession as a medical doctor. Every day is a new adventure and a new challenge. It is at times exhausting but also very rewarding. Having to deal with sickness, disease and death on a daily basis gives you a different perspective on life. My advice to all: Enjoy life while you can!!
My brother studied psychology and is working in Orlando, Florida as a counselor for underprivileged people. He enjoys his job but he also has his moments of sadness. He also is giving back to society on a daily basis.
After more than 13 years at the German School, we were well prepared for the life's challenges. I have to say that the German School made well-rounded people of us. We have good memories of bygone days.
Ben Schlabs
Assistant Language Teacher, Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme Kitami Ryokuryo High School, Hokkaido, Japan
DSW: Abitur 2003
I teach about 1000 students, so my total classroom time works out to be about one minute per student per week. I love my job because that has still been enough time to inspire some of my kids to study abroad or start working towards a job in the Japanese foreign service.
Sven Steindorff
Snowboard Instructor Beaver Creek, Colorado DSW: 1974 - 1977
Dirk-Alexander Breuer
Luftfracht Frankfurt am Main, Germany
DSW: Abitur 1996
The photo shows me getting in touch with a 747. Love this plane!
Julia Arnholdt, Peter Dreher (English teacher), Kristina Jaakson, and Dirk Breuer (9B) celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the German School by creating a chalk mural at the entrance to the school in May 1992.
Maryline Faaland
Teacher, Risøyhamn barn- og ungdomskole, Andøy Kommune, Risøyhamn, Norway
DSW: Teacher 1994-2008
I am sitting at my desk and through the window I can admire a mountain top covered with snow and a deep springblue sky reflecting in the water Norwegian writer put it). Upon the occasion of (as the one 50th anniversary of the German School in Washington DC, I wish to address a few words of greetings to my colleagues and students.
After almost 15 years of teaching at the DSW and of enjoying a rich and cosmopolitan environment, my family and I decided to settle in Risøyhamn (Norway), a totally unknown little place of about 200 inhabitants north of the Arctic Circle at about 69° N latitude. But don t let yourself be misled by the fact that the island of Andøya in the Vesterålen has only 5,000 inhabitants and seems to be very remote. Although such municipalities suffer from budget cuts and emigration, they also offer a variety of activities long forgotten in big cities and a vitality which sometimes surpasses expectations. In fact, Andøya is a true paradise for the vacationer, in the summer as well as in the winter. And forget the idea that people are depressed on the dark winter days! For when the sun disappears from the horizon, a delightful bluish tone of color emerges that makes one feel as if wrapped in a cocoon. The nights are also lit by wonderful moonlight and by the extraordinary sight of the northern lights (Nordlys). Each time they appear, everybody--including the natives--fall into ecstasy admiring and commenting on the phenomenon with great emphasis. The Nordlys Festival in Andenes or in Tromsø is definitely a highlight. Of course, the long awaited summer is equally remarkable with the legendary midnight sun.
From Andenes it is also possible to observe the whales and their migrations at a center for marine biology. Moreover, the island is the site for the National Space Center (NAROM), where one can study the sun's activity. The oil industry is, nonetheless, trying very hard to obtain the consent of the fishermen to establish a few drilling sites along the coast of Lofoten and the Vesterålen, but the opposition from local parties and environmentalists is still winning. But no one knows for how long.
I teach at a public school since most of the schools in Norway are public; it is a first-to-tenth grade institution that attracts approximately 200 students from around the island. The school is engaged in several original projects. For example, the very active exchange program Friendship North-South developed a partnership with a school in La Lucha, Guatemala, based on a common interest: the Gulf Stream. Indeed, as you know, the Gulf Stream regulates the climate as far north as to the coast of Andenes (Andøya) and as far south as to the coast of Guatemala. The project nourished our students' natural longing for Spanish and the visions of exotic faraway places and cultures.
It takes me only three minutes to walk to the school, and I am rarely late because of snow or ice, or because of lack of parking spaces. We can get there by car, by bicycle, by spark conditions so that (sledge), or the school by bus under does not close any for inclement weather. The school overlooks the fjord and our meetings take place in a large lounge with big bay windows that open on a vast landscape. We start at 8:30 AM with some outside physical activity, no matter the weather; then we have six periods with ten minutes breaks and a lunch. At 2:00 pm the students head home while we stay until 3:30 pm for various group, project, or departmental meetings.
This is just a little glimpse of our life in the Arctic. There is
no need to compare our life here with the life in Washington, DC; everything has its time, and for us it was time to settle back in Europe when the opportunity came. Apart from our extended family, we had other reasons for wanting to come here: My active interest in Nordic studies and my work on my doctoral thesis may have been the most important factors. We really enjoy discovering a life closer to nature and participating in intimate community life, especially singing in the choir. We think that both Washington and Risøyhamn have offered us great opportunities and great challenges. I have appreciated the time I spent at the German School and often like to reminisce and to recall several colleagues who also became my best friends. We have been able to exchange views on didactics or on projects we liked to pursue together with the French School. For five winters, I joined DSW colleagues on some extraordinary Canadian Ski adventures.
Indeed, our family made close friends from the time our son went to kindergarten. We enjoyed those many traditions: Sankt Martinsfest with its lanterns and gingerbread men, to the Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving turkey. . . All these fond memories are with us stll.
Wherever you are, we hope you have found a nice and attractive environment that suits your longings.
Sarah McClure
Assistant Professor Department of Anthropology; Associate Director of Public Programs, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403 DSW: 1993 (Abitur)
Dr. Sarah McClure is an archaeologist and professor at the University of Oregon. Her research is focused on the environmental and cultural impacts of early farming societies in Europe and the Mediterranean, and she has worked primarily in Germany, Spain, and Croatia. After finishing at the DSW, she attended the Albert-Ludwigs- Universitaet in Freiburg, Germany and University College Cork in Ireland. Sarah received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she
Maryline is waiting for the boat; behind her is the bridge that connects Andøya to Hinøya, the largest island in Norway (above). Maryline is coming back from the grocery store. It is a December afternoon, about 3:00 PM (below).
Diana Von Harsdorf-Caccese
Supervisor in Old England, luxury fashion boutique in Rome, Italy
DSW: 1979-1985 The German School definitely gave me a whole and complete education for understanding people from every possible part of the world, since it was also quite an international school, not just German.
I learned so much in those years, and wish at times I could go back again to those days, and just relive them. I often think of those times and the people that were a part of my life then, and some that have become again. I will never forget my experience at the German School, or those who were with me on that passage of my life.
I have very fond memories of my time at the German School. It was not always easy, especially the beginning years there. I had just returned from Austria, after having lived there for almost three years, and I just wanted to return there every moment and not be in the States.
I was quite shy and kept to myself. It took me some time to get adjusted to the new school and making new friends. The activities we had at school were all memorable. The plays, the dances, the sports day, the spring ball, the dance lessons. One day, I remember someone put the song 99 Luftballons on, so it could be heard throughout the whole school.
In particular I remember the field trip I did with my class and Ms. Rozner. We went to Harpers Ferry for a few days. We had a wonderful dinner at the Bavarian Inn, went sightseeing and learned about the History of Harpers Ferry and what it stood for. We went to the place where they took photos from the civil war period. We wanted to surprise Ms. Rozner with a group photo. That was so much fun and what laughs we had. That trip really brought us closer together as a class and as a group, absolutely unforgettable.
Another class trip I remember was one we did on bicycles and afterwards camped out. I unfortunately do not remember where we went anymore, just that we departed from Georgetown by the canal with our bikes and rode the bikes for several hours.
Rolf Friedewald
DSW: 1967-1970, 1975 - 1980
In 1967, I entered the German School in Washington, D.C. in 1st grade. Back then, the German School (DSW) was still located in the school building on River Road in Potomac, MD. Mrs. Chrétien was my first teacher. Paul Stratos and Annette Baumhoff were only some of my co-students that I would meet again a few years later at DSW. After completing 3rd grade, my family and I returned to Germany in 1970.
Five years later in 1975, I re-entered the DSW with a great passion for sports, especially for soccer. The new Chateau Drive campus had a brand new soccer field which was about to become the venue for many special moments of glory. As 9th graders, we established a school soccer team and played some friendly matches against the French School and other mostly European teams that challenged us. Uwe Rottler, Detlev Geuss, Wolfgang Soete or Thomas Voss
From elementary school to law school: The path is the goal
belonged to the initial group of talented players as I recall. Over time as our soccer fever grew more intense, my friends and I suggested to have our school team join a soccer league in Maryland. My Dutch school friend Eimert and I convinced Peter Zahn to become our coach. In the first year of our participation in the league, we won the championship without losing a single game in the competition. Members of this successfull team were Eimert Los, Andreas Vogelhaupt, Carlos Miquel, Alex Miquel, Paul Stratos, Klaus Erb, Kai Wapenhans, Oliver Doerr, Rainer Thuleweit, Stephan Barth, Thilo Corts, George von Staden, Chris Siebert, Martin Seeleib, André Huenerlage, Oliver Doerr. There were many other fine players I cannot list in just one paragraph. The list of names of our fans and cheerleaders would also require a separate article on the enthusiastic support we received. Following Peter Zahn, the next team coach was Michael Respondek who continued the good work and further developed the team. The annexed article in a German-American newspaper reported on the success of the DSW soccer team. The attached photo shows some of my former teammates of the DSW team in 1979.
After an interesting career as a lawyer and manager in industry, I recently followed a new path back to law school. Momentarily, I am the Managing Director of the Institute for Law and Finance (ILF) at the University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Somehow my goals remain the same over the years: Taking the lead to develop successfull international teams.
Thank you very much to all of the former and present principals, teachers, friends of the DSW and my former teammates! Your outstanding effort was and is highly appreciated! Happy birthday DSW!
Sumaya Berg
Registered Nurse Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children 3300 Gallows Road Falls Church, VA 22042
DSW: Kindergarten 1975- Abitur 1990
As far as I know, I am one of the few people who attended the DSW from beginning to end. I started in Kindergarten in 1975 and completed the Abitur in 1990. Most students who attended the DSW were from all over the world and attended the school for a few years and then returned to their home. I was a local. As a result, I was fortunate to meet so many people and make so many lifelong friendships. Friendships that continue today.
After graduating, I attended McMaster Unviversity in Ontario, Canada to study nursing. With my BSN in hand, I returned home and began my nursing career here in DC. For a few years I worked in DC in the adult medical ICU, but have found my niche in Inova's Fairfax Hospital in the Neonatal ICU. I have been there for 10 years now. I am one of the lucky few to be able to say I love my job.
The education I received and lifelong friendships that I made at the DSW have contributed to the career I now enjoy.
I have a daughter now and my hope is to be able to send her to the DSW, where her cousins attend, as well as several other children of former students.
Piatt Gray
Director of Purchasing Education Corporation of America 3660 Grandview Parkway, Suite 300 Birmingham, AL 35243 DSW:
It s hard for some of harder to accept the us to believe implications) (and perhaps even but apparently the DSW is turning 50. That s three generations of moppets trudging through various doors, double and otherwise. And as I was one of those chitlins (1975-1990), I thought it might be fitting to contribute a thought or three on the most important lessons I learned during my rather longish stay. And those thoughts return consistently to this: I learned how not to have sex.
Consider! Three generations of DSW children, starting with the hopeful, doe-eyed summer of love Boomer kids, ending with the hopeful, doe-eyed that s hot Millennials. And sandwiched in there was us, the nameless, sexless Generation X, a middle-child of a generation if there ever was one. Just take a look at the photographic evidence some old yearbooks. You bounced along with their go ahead, browse through see? The 60 s and 70 s girls hip-hugger jeans and braless tee-shirts; the Reunification kids of the 2000 s with boy-shorts and Victoria s not-so-secret Secrets. We got: shapeless gray sweaters and leg warmers. Leg warmers! Heaven forbid a gal would show an unclad ankle. Oh, and it got worse. The hoodless, joyless pseudo-burkas of the 80 s soon gave way to Seattle s contribution to abstinence, Grunge . Hipster-ironic coke-bottle glasses and flannel shirts so thick they could stop a bodkin point. By the time Britney Spears was cinching up her catholic school outfit, it was too late for us Gen-Xers to enjoy without falling clearly on the side of perversion.
Consider! Music in the 80 s started out well enough, with Olivia Newton-John twitching around in tights and collapsed quickly. By the mid-80 s, female pop stars were, actually and literally, men. A decade later, the
sexiest girl singer in the US was (believe this or not) Lisa Loeb: She, who spent four minutes haranguing us about how she was moody and unpredictable, and not in the good way. I mean, she was cute in the quiet-girl-from-accounting sort of way, but if I m offered a date with her or, say, Xtina, well let s just call Lisa Plan B . (And you Boomers, don t start in with your Janis Joplin. She was tough to look at, to be sure).
Consider! We didn t around. No chance even have any good causes to rally to fake interest in some hopeless crusade just so that a girl would let you cop a feel, solidarity Grenada: style. We didn t a four-day weekend have Vietnam; we had of rum runners and target practice. And the only people who knew about the greenhouse effect were us geeks in the DSW Astronomy Club. (Err, us geek. DSW Astronomy Club, 1988, population: me.) Sure, we had the whole No Nukes thing, which should have been an ace in the hole, right? Baby, that Doomsday Clock is almost midnight. Problem was, the No Nukes movement was jealously guarded by ageing hippies, and, trust me nothing less sexy than an ageing hippy. on this, there s
Not that there teens, after all. wasn t any sex going on. Teens will be But for us Gen-X males to have sex, we actually had to acquire a girlfriend. And really, who among us had time for that? We had months of toil and labor put into a project that may or may not pay off. And even if we were successful, we had consequences! We were expected to hang around and talk. It wasn t until Bill Clinton s bold stand with Monica that the issue as finally settled; young American males were freed forever from having to cuddle. Too late for us.
Look I don t blame the girls. I those old yearbook pictures of mean, I m looking at me, and clearly my female counterparts didn t have a lot to work with. But that s not totally my fault! You see, if you grew up in the 60 s, it was easy: just try to look like a Beatle, and you ll be fine. And judging by the photos from the 70 s, well, pretty much anything went back then. But the 80 s? Who was I supposed to emulate? Michael Jackson s sparkles? Prince s platform shoes? These were, at best, impractical choices. I settled on Bruce Springsteen on account of me being reasonably sure he was a man, and I figured that had to count for something. It didn t.
So that was my lesson from 15 years of Die Deutsche Schule: how not to have sex. And this lesson, like the Latin taught to me, I count as a privilege to have learned. And just like that same Latin, this lesson been an even greater privilege to forget. Well met, DSW, and congratulations, and may we meet again after your next 50 years, hale and vigorous, and recognize each other as friends.
Muriel K. Helbig
Dezernentin / Head International Office Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 15 Weimar, Germany DSW: 1986 - Abi 1994
Kristina Pollak
CEO and In-House Counsel The MaccaNow Foundation 2133 Lyon Street San Francisco, CA 94115 DSW: 1978 - Abi 1994
Friendship made at DSW Looking back (and forward) by Kristina and Muriel
If, back in 1986 when we met at DSW, someone would have predicted that we would go completely different ways after the Abitur in 1994, we would certainly have
agreed. However, if we would have been told that we would be very close friends still today 17 years after graduation, we would have shrugged it off as nonsense:
Muriel:
In 6th grade, Kristina told everyone during Mr. Padaroff s class that (apparently, because I she had thought just told I was her that dislikable her most prized keepsake was not very cool). I later rammed a pencil into her thigh, which she (falsely!) claims can still be seen today. In 8th grade, she made me tap on my table for each comma during Mr. Berg she received one of the top grades, s dictation. While I concentrated so hard on the tapping I almost failed. In 10th grade, we both came late for class at the same time. While I was greeted with hello and welcome , she was told off. In 13th grade, we wrote the Abizeitung together in a true Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktion and got a feel for our first of many all nighters.
After graduation, Kristina moved to the West of the USA, Muriel to the east of Germany. Kristina lives in the cool city of San Francisco.; Muriel in Weimar, which is cool only if you can survive on Goethe and Gingko, Bauhaus and Bratwurst. Kristina has a smart dog, Muriel has two purry cats. Kristina is sporty and skinny; Muriel lives comfortably. Kristina has been known to successfully multitask 21st Century style: Skyping to Abu Dhabi and G-chatting to NYC, while txt'ing to Germany and emailing to San Francisco all at once; Muriel call herself a non-Facebookian and appreciates anything handwritten. Kristina dresses up and organizes fancy fundraising galas; Muriel knows how to spell high-heels, which is the closest to a gala she normally gets.
Kristina: And despite all these differences, most trusted friend. I was so honored to Muriel is my be asked to bake a colorful intentionally crooked whimsical cake for her wedding. Although I destroyed three kitchens (and Muriel s process, friendship I did bake with the kitchen owners) in little chocolate hearts and in the Muriel and her wonderful husband thought it was amazing (and well worth the other friendships). A few years back, it was not even an option that I would not pick up Muriel when she was arriving from Germany to study in LA for a few weeks, regardless that it was a 5 ½ hour drive down the coast. Over the years, regardless of the geographical distance between us (4 time zones to be exact), Muriel still knows when to send bags of Haribo GummiBaren when needed most. On my recent visit to Weimar, as we both were riding her son s down the hill (yes it did look a bit ridiculous) bobby-cars we realized that although we will always be kids at heart, our 6th grade sentiments towards each other could not have been more wrong - and I have the pencil piece in my leg to remind me of that every day!
Sebastian Molineus, Heike Reichelt, Nadereh Chamlou, Heinrich Bofinger, and Patricia Berg (from left to right)
Sebastian Molineus
Senior Operations Officer, Corporate Governance Group World Bank, Washington, DC DSW: 1977 & 1980-1990
Prior to joining the Corporate Governance Group, Sebastian led corporate governance advisory projects for the International Finance Corporation in the Middle East and North Africa region, based in Cairo (2005-2007), and Russia, based in Moscow (2002 - 2005), as well as the CIS region for the OECD (1997-2000). Sebastian graduated from 1997 Germany s University of Passau School of Law in and the HEC School of Management in Paris, where he obtained his MBA in 2002. Sebastian is married with four children.
Heike Reichelt
Head of Investor Relations and New Products Capital Markets Department World Bank Treasury, Washington, DC DSW: 1970-1972 & 1978-1986 (Abitur)
She is responsible for the World Bank's investor relations program and development of new bond products for investors in the international capital markets. She joined the World Bank in 2000. Before that, she worked for a development finance agency and banks in Germany. After graduating from the DSW in 1986 and completing a Banklehre in Germany, she studied at the European Business School in Germany, France and the UK. Heike now lives in Bethesda, Maryland again, with her husband Jochen, daughter Sonia (6, at DSW since 2007), and Max (2). She attended the DSW in 1971/72, and again from 1978-86. Her sisters Carol and Manu also attended the DSW.
Patricia Berg (formerly Riehn) Web Development Specialist, World Bank, Washington, DC DSW: 1970 (Kindergarten) - 1982 (Abitur)
She designs and develops internal and external websites for the World Bank in Washington DC. Prior to working at the World Bank, she worked as art director at K12 (online school) and No Tears Learning (educational books publisher). She was also a graphic designer for Science Magazine and AARP. She graduated from Langley High School and received an Associates degree from the Corcoran School of Art and a BA from Marymount University. She is married to fellow DSW alumni Romanus Berg. They have two children who are current students of the DSW
Heinrich C. Bofinger
As an air transport consultant, he works globally to enhance the safety and effectiveness of air transport systems in client countries. This role involves working with oversight agencies on safety, looking at economic issues in the provision of air transport services, publishing research (such as the recent Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD) Infrastructure study for the African continent), and helping identify and develop projects. His goal is to broaden this role to transport economist, and plans are in the works for a PhD dissertation, most likely on the measurement of interconnectivity in transport systems.
Nadereh Chamlou
She came to DSW in 1974 from the DS in Teheran and finished Abitur in 1976. Nadereh is of fully Iranian background. Her German exposure began at the age of 10, when her father was assigned to Germany. The family lived in Munich for four years and upon return to Iran, Nadereh continued with the German school system. After DSW, Nadereh went to Georgetown university for undergraduate and graduate studies. The Revolution in Iran led Nadereh to begin a career at the World Bank in 1981, where she has held a range of technical, managerial and advisory positions and worked on Latin America, East Asia and Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Middle East and North Africa regions. Nadereh is married and has two sons, Cyrus (22), and Philip (20).
Franz Drees-Gross
Sector Manager, Sustainable Development World Bank in Indonesia DSW: 1970 (Kindergarten) - 1985 (Abitur)
He he covers infrastructure, environment, community and rural development. Before moving to Indonesia with his wife Alexandra and daughters, Klara (6) and Natalie (4), Franz worked in the World Bank's office in Argentina. He has been with the World Bank since 1997. After graduation from the DSW (in 1985) and university (1991), Franz joined the Peace Corps (1991-93) and worked for a German engineering company in Peru, Germany and Yemen (1994-97). He attended DSW from 1970-85 (including Kindergarten, Grundschule and Gymnasium through Abitur).
Marc-Andreas Klein
Head of Global Compensation, Benefits and Performance Management International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group, Washington, DC. DSW: 1977 - 1986
He manages the Global Compensation, Benefits and Performance/ Talent Management programs for the Corporation. Prior to joining the World Bank Group in 2002, he was a Management Consultant in the areas of Corporate Governance and Executive Compensation. Marc graduated from the DSW in 1986, his undergraduate work focused on Economics and Marketing (University of Bonn and George Mason University), and he received an MBA from Virginia Tech in 1993. Marc, his wife Lisa, daughters Isabelle, Alexia and son, Tobias, live in Arlington, Virginia.
Eindrücke des Alltages The Daily Life
