Lowell Whiteman School Experience Brochure 2010

experience

the lowell whiteman

WINTER 2010

Journal of the Lowell Whiteman School

LWS Olympians - pg 2 Alumni Perspectives - pg 4 Alumni Notes - pg 6 Lucy Causley Remembered - pg 11 2009 Foreign Travel - pg 13

Johnny Spillane ‘99 2010 Three-Time Olympic Medalist

LWS Alumni Head To Vancouver Olympics

By Elizabeth Findell ‘06

Michelle Gorgone ‘01 It’s torch time again, and as usual, the Lowell Whiteman School is cheering on several of its own at the Winter Olympic Games. The competitors this year are Olympic veterans and serious medal contenders— Johnny Spillane ’99, Ryan St. Onge ‘01 and Michelle Gorgone ‘01. They will be joining 14 other Steamboat athletes in Vancouver as the games open February 12.

Nordic Combined World Champion Johnny Spillane is marking his fourth Olympics as part of a team determined to medal this year. Johnny and his teammates came in just one place shy of the podium in 2002. In 2003, Johnny became the first American ever to win gold in a Nordic Combined World Championship event, and in 2009 he was inducted into the US Ski Jumping Hall of Fame. In the past year he has undergone several surgeries and recovered well, winning the first World Cup of his career in January. The Spillane family will keep an updated blog following Johnny throughout the Olympics on the official NBC web site.

A more recent Lowell Whiteman School graduate, Michelle Gorgone, is returning to the games for a second showing, now a veteran on the US Alpine Snowboard team. They call her “Pirelli” after Italian racing tires, and she is fast. This year, Michelle will be the only American woman in the Parallel Giant Slalom.

Another favorite, Ryan St. Onge, whose skiing greatness may be secondary to his celebrity as the 2001 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue Old Spice Athlete of the Month, is making his second appearance skiing under the six rings. In 2009, Ryan was the World Champion in Aerials. Lately, he has been working on polishing a quintuple-twisting triple back somersault in preparation for Vancouver.

Other LWS alumni put in strong showings in the season leading up to these games, including snowboarding hopeful

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Matt Ladley, who broke his collarbone in January, joining the tally of US Snowboard team members out with injuries.

On the skiing side, freestylists Eliza Outtrim and Emiko Torito fell just short of landing spots on the Vancouver team, but continue to put in top showings internationally.

In addition to competing as athletes, LWS alumni also include the coaches that keep them great. 1989 graduate and two-time Olympian Dave Jarrett is now serving as the Head Coach of the US Nordic Combined Team, guiding Johnny and the rest through the games. Jarrett has been busy telling news organizations that this year is their year to take a medal.

If Jarrett believes that his athletes are at their strongest ever, so does Michael Kennedy, who attended LWS at the same time as Jarrett and is now chief executive of Ski and Snowboard Australia, the down-under version of the USSA. A former moguls competitor, Kennedy was Australia’s first development coach for freestyle skiing and the coach that oversaw the Aussies’ first Winter Olympic gold medal.

For Lowell Whiteman competitors, coaches and viewers, the games are on. The rest of our LWS family who have the privilege of watching them either live or on TV can say, “Hey! I know them! They went to my school!”

LAST–MINUTE OLYMPIC UPDATE LWS Vancouver Olympians February 14 Johnny Spillane ’99 wins the first U.S. Nordic Combined medal in Winter Olympic history. Silver Medal, Normal Hill Gunderson Event February 23 Johnny Spillane and his Nordic Combined teammates win the first U.S. Nordic Combined Team medal in Winter Olympic history. Silver Medal , Team Competition February 25 Johnny Spillane wins a Silver Medal in the Individual Large Hill Gunderson Event.

February 25 Ryan St. Onge ’01 finishes 4th in the Freestyle Aerials Finals.

February 26 Michelle Gorgone ’01 finishes 14 in the Medal Round of the Parallel Slalom.

From all of us back in Steamboat, at LWS, CONGRATULATIONS

Austria Residency

By Gina Wither

When Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Alpine Head Coach Rob Worrell approached LWS with the idea of an Austria Project—a month of race training on glaciers while studying in a European Alpine village—it didn’t take long for us to agree. The program would serve the school’s Mission well. Our Alpine skiers would get a chance to ski big mountains in the Mecca of ski racing, while continuing their studies.

Re-creating our LWS experience in a small Alpine village was going to be a challenge, but with Coach Worrell’s enthusiasm and experience and thoughtful support and planning by many LWS educators, we moved toward the dream. Once again, we were planning a unique program with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club—this time the Austrian Residency Program. At school, we developed strategies to take the magic we produce at LWS to Austria.

We focused on the unique interactions that would be required between teacher and pupil. With help from the Technology Department, especially Computer Teacher John Marno, our teachers worked tirelessly to plan for the communication that would be required between Steamboat and Austria. Teachers scanned books and videoed classes. They designated note takers among students at school and created packets that covered a month’s-worth of course work. Faculty and staff rose to the challenge of providing for study in Austria.

We lodged in Patsch, a little village near Innsbruck, at the U.S. Ski Team apartments! We were rubbing shoulders with the best of our nation’s ski racers—Bode Miller and Ted Ligety. Bode sightings generated much excitement among our student-athletes.

We even carved out a little time for culture, including town trips to Innsbruck, a day trip to Vitipeno, Italy, a tour of the Atomic Ski Factory, and a trip to the first World Cup of the season in Soelden, Austria.

The kids were impressive, working tirelessly on racing skills and on academics. No one complained; everybody worked hard.

Though we skied on many beautiful days, we also experienced difficult conditions, including a week on a dry glacier (dirty ice and rocks), with bad visibility and high winds. Meanwhile, students maintained their

Brant Crossan ‘10 on the Hintertux glacier in Austria. full academic loads. They viewed their classes digitally, took notes, and emailed or “skyped” with their teachers. They studied and took tests. It was difficult, as it should have been; however, we persevered, training, learning and teaching, as the program required.

While maintaining their LWS course work, our young racers became faster and more technically sound. Less quantifiable are the maturity they developed and the responsibilities they learned. As student-athletes, they were challenged and inspired to achieve. The Austrian Residency Program encouraged the creativity, the responsibility, and the integrity that characterize The Lowell Whiteman School. We look forward to the program becoming an LWS tradition.

Alumni Perspectives

By Walt Daub

“The feeling of the bonds that I shared with the people I worked, lived and ate with at LWS is something I strive to build with the people I’ve lived, worked and eaten with since I left LWS. “ Katie Spillane

KATIE SPILLANE 2001 B.A. Asian Studies and International Development, McGill, 2005 Paralegal, Law Office of Yee Ling Poo (NYC) Current passion/Plans: Training to become a doctor of traditional Chinese Medicine Most influential educators: Jim Linville, Margi Missling-Root and Joanne “Doc” Lasko Favorite memory: “Tricking Margi into hurrying to help someone with a sprained ankle and then creaming her in the face with a chocolate pie.”

LWS INFLUENCE: The feeling of the bonds that I shared with the people I worked, lived and ate with at LWS is something I strive to build with the people I’ve lived, worked and eaten with since I left LWS. Also, the Foreign Travel Program left its mark on me. Since leaving LWS, I have lived in three foreign countries and traveled in six. I work in a bilingual environment in which I am the only Caucasian and the only native-born American. Of course, the strong academic foundation is something I lean on everyday, especially the ability to think critically and express myself convincingly. Note: Katie is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.

“Besides the tremendous educational foundation LWS provided, the outdoor program forever shaped my life.“

Liana Gregory

LIANA GREGORY 2002 B.A. Sociology and Psychology, CU Boulder, 2005 JD, University of Utah, SJ Quinney College of Law Bar license, Utah State Bar 2009 Founder & Owner, Defiant Sports Management Current passion/Plans: Founding and operating my own company and building it into a career that combines my love of the outdoors and my legal training.

Most influential educators: There were many at LWS, but Mitch Globe had a profound effect on my writing.

Favorite memory: Riding horseback through the picturesque Utah desert, when we were cowgirls for a week!

LWS INFLUENCE: Besides the tremendous educational foundation LWS provided, the outdoor program forever shaped my life. I make my living in the outdoor industry and am frequently in the backcountry on skis or on my mountain bike. After college I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail—a four-month backpacking adventure, much of it solo.

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Inspiring Minds & Inspiring Lives “The diverse student body taught me how to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. The entire experience was instrumental in preparing me for college.”

Leigh Cohen

LEIGH COHEN 2002 B.A. Brandeis University, 2006 London School of Economics, 2004-05 Irving Place Capital Current passion/Plans: MBA in entrepreneurship so that I can start my own business.

Most influential educators: Joe Roberts. I recall sitting in on Mr. Roberts’ class when I was a prospective student. It gave me comfort to know that LWS faculty interacted with students in a friendly, respectful and engaging manner.

Favorite memory: Moving into the dorms my second year and feeling like I was returning home after spending a summer at my parents’ house.

LWS INFLUENCE: Living in the dorms helped me learn to be independent. Also, learning how to balance skiing and academics helped me develop valuable time management and organizational skills. The diverse student body taught me how to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. The entire experience was instrumental in preparing me for college.

“The experience of knowing my teachers as individuals, not only authority figures, gave me the confidence to deal with people who might otherwise have intimidated me. “ Adam Smith

ADAM SMITH 2000 B.A. History, Colorado College, 2004 M.A. International Educational Development, International Educational Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2010 Current passion/Plans: Serving students who have been traditionally underserved, whether in an urban setting or in a developing country. I want to establish a nonprofit partnership with an organization to bring an LWS kind of foreign travel to urban students who otherwise would not have an opportunity for that international experience.

Most influential educators: Joanne “Doc” Lasko, Joe Roberts, Brick Root, Jim Dingle—to name four of LWS’s amazing educators.

Favorite memory: My four foreign trips. They have been a tremendous influence on my career path. The trip to the Maldives was an amazing living and learning experience LWS INFLUENCE: The experience of knowing my teachers as individuals, not only authority figures, gave me the confidence to deal with people who might otherwise have intimidated me. Most recently, I have noticed that I am no longer nervous during interviews, regardless of the circumstances.

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Alumni News

By Joe Roberts, Director of Alumni

The Reunions this year are for the Classes of 1960, ‘70, ‘80, ‘90, ‘00. All alumni are invited to attend graduation and all reunion functions June 4th – 6th, 2010. You’re welcome even if it’s not your year! We’d love to see you here. Our web site will have the information.

You can reach Joe Roberts on Facebook!

He still loves to receive emails at Alumni@lws.edu or Robertsj@lws.edu. Also, LWS has its own Facebook and we’d love it if you would “become a fan.” You’ll find lots of cool stories there. Check it out. Search The Lowell Whiteman School. Don’t forget “the” in your search.

Have You Seen or Heard from... ...Bill Tharp ‘00, Brendan Nicholson ‘00 or Kristi Coulter ‘80? If so, we’d love to know where they are. Any contact information should be sent to Joe at Alumni@lws.edu.

1959 Fifty Year Reunion Class John Stewart and his wife Betsey had to cancel their plans at the last minute to come to the LWS reunion last spring, but sent a very nice letter updating me on what they’re doing. John started a design and food services company, John Stewart and Associates, 39 years ago and continues to own and operate the business today. He’s designed over 500 restaurants, bars, and commercial kitchens in his career. Betsey retired from the banking industry and now

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Photo Courtesy of Corey Kopischke

Inspiring Minds & Inspiring Lives

plans activities for the dementia and Alzheimer’s population. John has two grown children, Debbie and Jack.

John’s memories of Whiteman-Gaylord School (the name of LWS when he attended) center around the excellent faculty and the positive influence they had on him. He particularly remembers a ski trip a group of students took to Aspen with Gertrude Fetcher and how much he enjoyed “the one-on-one time he had with Mrs. Fetcher as they skied together.” 2847 Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001.

1969 Forty Year Reunion Class Andy Simpson and his wife, Wendy Eder ’72, came to the reunion. Andy has been a real estate lawyer in Boulder for over 30 years. He has two grown sons, Trent and Trevor. Andy and Wendy have remained avid skiers over the decades since they attended LWS and have traveled to countries all over the world. Andy spent three weeks climbing in Nepal in 2000 and summited Mera Peak (21,600 ft.). 5355 Pine Ridge Rd., Golden, CO 80403.

Jeff Carrier and his wife, Rene, came to the reunion. Jeff retired a couple of years ago from being the Superintendent of Schools in Hulett, Wyoming. Jeff has been in education for over thirty years – he taught biology (1973-74 at Lowell Whiteman School), was a high school principal, and for the last decade or so was a Superintendent. Since retiring, he’s been growing fruit trees on his mini-farm and turning his crop into wine. Jeff has two grown children, AdriAnne and John. 824 Highway 112, Hulett, WY 82720-9614.

Inspiring Minds & Inspiring Lives Mark McMahon has an exhibition of his paintings and drawings at the State Street Gallery at Robert Morris University in Chicago from September 18 to October 28th.

1971 Jon “Jake” Coates visited campus in early June with his wife, Lori, Travis Canon ’72, and Andy Dennison. They were all going on a rafting trip on the Green River the next day and took time from their packing schedule to visit the school on graduation day. 309 E. Windward Ct., Saratoga Springs, UT 84045.

1973 Bill Secor has a new address: 717 Bristle Pine Circle #A, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.

Judith Hayes made a surprise visit to the school in May 2009 after a long absence. She was a lawyer for many years, working in public advocacy for people with mental illness. After several years off for family matters, she’s looking forward to a return to the working world in a less frenetic environment than New Jersey law. She has a 20-year-old daughter, Eleanor, who is a chemistry major in college, and a 16-year-old daughter, who spent her summer in a language program in Segovia, Spain.

1980 New address for Drea Harris: PO Box 928, Santa Cruz, NM 87567-0928.

1987 Kirk Wilson has a new address: 612 Agana, Grand Junction, CO 81504.

1989 Dave Jarrett is the US Olympic Team Nordic Combined Coach. He will take with him two Steamboat competitors – Johnny Spillane ‘99 and Todd Lodwick.

1990 Shawn Seward writes, “Life is good with my amazing wife, Erika, and our three children – Lily, Jack, and Kira.

We are expecting one more in August 2009!! I’ve been working for ESPN for ten-plus years. I serve as Competition Director for the X-Games. Lots of LWS Alum have passed through the Winter X Games over the years.” 17 Sperry St., Milford, CT 06460.

Dan Querido married Miryam on May 14, 2009 in Miami.

Daniel Wright ’09, Walt Daub, Head of School, Ian Noble ’09, with a painting by Annie Bear Meyer ’63, presented to LWS by the senior class, June 5, 2009.

1992 Elisa Miller and Kevin Cripps were married September 12, 2009, in northern California. Congratulations to you both from all of us at LWS. Elisa and Kevin live in Boulder, Colorado, where Elisa recently completed her PhD in Biology at the University of Colorado and Kevin is an engineer. 961 69th St., Boulder, CO 80303.

Chris Blaydon married Laura Melcher on October 24, 2009, in Chicago.

1993 Ryan Marovish received his MBA from the University of Southern California on May 15, 2009.

The Ski Jumping Hall of Fame was opened three years ago in Red Wing, Minnesota. Two LWS grads were recently inducted: Ryan Heckman ’93 and Johnny Spillane ’99.

Ryan participated in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics, was on the U.S. Olympic Team from 1992 to 1997, and was on four World Championships teams. Johnny was on the 1998, 2002, and 2006 US Olympic Teams and won the Nordic combined sprint event gold medal at the World Championships in 2003. By the time you read this, he will be competing in the 2010 Olympic games. Sunny Owens (’95) Lodwick’s husband, Todd, was also inducted this year and he, too, will go to Vancover. They join LWS students Clint Jones ’04, Tommy Schwall ‘02, and Randy Weber, who were previously inducted.

1995 Jas’n Adams, his wife Vangi (Rogers ’96), and their children, Malachi (12) and Revan (4), visited the school this

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Alumni News Continued summer. Jas’n works for MGM Mirage in Las Vegas in their Enterprise Management department doing IT work.

Ann Acker Hodgden married Randy on June 2, 2007 (belated congratulations!), and they welcomed Lauren Rene into their home December 7, 2008. 2855 Rock Creek Circle #278, Superior, CO 80027

1996 Ted Davenport is a professional skier and BASE (parachuting off of Building, Antenna, Span, Earth) jumper. On July 22, 2009, he was making jumps off of Anvil Point on the Roan Plateau near Rifle, CO, when he fell 800 – 1000 feet after a complicated aerial maneuver. His chute partially opened, and he made a hard landing. He had to be rescued and flown to Grand Junction Hospital, where he was examined and released after an overnight stay. He’s made 286 jumps in four years. For more information check out his website www.teddavenport.com.

Class of 1999

1998

Sarah Bunting and Pete Zimmer ’04.

Katherine Roberts Green and her husband Erik are the proud parents of Siri Annette, born May 19, 2009. At exactly the same time Katherine and Erik were becoming parents to Siri, Pat and Joe Roberts were becoming her grandparents. It was a momentous day for everyone.

Congratulations to the whole family, but especially to Katherine and Erik. Katherine continues to teach third grade in the Evans School District. 707 Woodland Way, Ft. Collins, CO 80526.

1999 Ten Year Reunion Jill Mustard Benbow and her husband, Dillon, have a new baby girl, Lilian Grace, born May 13, 2009. Jill brought Dillon and Lily to her Ten Year Reunion in June so her classmates could meet Lily and Lily’s proud papa. Congratulations to all. PO Box 233, Silverthorne, CO 80498.

Judith Hayes ’73.

Kyra Marovish married Mark Zona in Newport Beach, California, on September 12, 2009. Alumni in attendance included Natasha Pongracz ’00, Tammi Reeve ‘99, Kelli Bean Marovish ’93, Ryan Marovish ’93, Kayse Radzat Hofland ’96, KJ Mason ’99, Liz Avakian ’99, Dana Perry ’98, Waylynn Lucas ’98, Alli Williams Smith ’99, Ashley Radzat Lockwood ’95, and current LWS staff member, Margi Missling-Root.

Jennifer Krieg Anderson came to the reunion with her children, Jace, who is six years old, and Jaemen, who is three. 38 Riverview Cutoff, Riverton, WY 82502.

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Jon “Jake” Coats ’71 and his wife Lori.

Robyn Teske Newberry moved with her husband Brenin to Abu Dhabi, UAE, to teach elementary school.

Inspiring Minds & Inspiring Lives Jennifer Garrett. PO Box 771763, Steamboat Spgs., CO 80477.

2002

Franziska Bryan Bishop has a BA (2003) in Environmental Studies, an MS (2006) in Human Nutrition and Food Science, and a Certificate (2009) in Public Health Science.

She lives and works in Colorado with her husband, Will Bishop ’98, and dog, Lucy. 2414 Gordon Ct., Longmont, CO 80501.

Hennie Kashiwa dropped by the school when he was in town with the University of Denver Nordic Team. Hennie is an Assistant Coach for the DU team. He graduated from Western State College in 2007 with a BA in Communications. 2724 S. Monroe St., Denver, CO 80210.

Jared Yarnell is attending medical school at Sacklee Som in Israel.

KJ Mason is a patient coordinator for her father’s dental office. 1700 Bassett St. #2005, Denver, CO, 80202.

Demetra Panagakos Sullivan is a financial advisor with USAA. 2313 Decatur St., Denver, CO 80211.

2000 Johnny May married Rhea Miller on July 18, 2009, in Colorado. Congratulations, and may you both grow old and happy together. 4824 S. Yank Way, Morrison, CO 80465.

Austin Coover got a BA from Western Washington University in 2004 in Economics. He then moved to China, where he lived and taught English in Jilin and Beijing for a couple of years. He’s now back in the USA, attending Utah State University working on a masters degree in Economics. He expects to graduate in December 2009.

Hawley McLaughlin Vining, father Clinton, and brother Carter, welcomed Drake Phillip into their family on September 13, 2009. Congratulations to all, and happy belated birthday, Drake.

2001 Ryan St. Onge made and won his bid for the US Olympic Team in Freestyle Aerials and will be competing in Vancover. Ryan is known for his very precise and elegant jumping style. Ryan is currently perfecting a quintupletwisting triple back somersault (3 flips with 5 twists) to unleash in Vancouver. With seven career world cup wins, Ryan closed out the 2009 season ranked #2 in the world and most recently won the World Championships in Japan in March 2009.

Michelle Gorgone also won herself a spot on the 2010 US Olympic team in Alpine Snowboarding. She made her first Olympic debut in 2006. Michelle is also an avid singer who auditioned for American Idol prior to her first Olympic appearance in Torino.

Britt McLaughlin visited the school from her home in Gunnison, Colorado. Britt graduated from Western State College with a degree in English in 2008. She has been working for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department at Gunnison Valley Hospital (GVH) for many years, and in December 2008 she passed her Intermediate EMT certification. She is responsible for training the reserves for GVH as the Basic Primary Instructor and CPR Coordinator and Instructor. Britt was awarded the Charlie Wireman Award for dedication to EMS and excellence in the EMS field. 111 N. 12th St., Unit A, Gunnison, CO 81230.

2003 Henley Shepherd graduated from the University of Montana on May 16, 2009, with a Bachelor of Science Business Administration (BSBA) in Management and a certificate in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Well done, Henley.

On July 11, she married Casey West at the top of the gondola on Rendezvous Mountain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Wow! Double congratulations.

Kyle Ewing completed his MBA program at the University of Denver in 2009 and took a paid internship with Sand Cherry, a national marketing company. The internship was given to him because his MBA team won the Cable Case competition.

Emily Colin will graduate from Colby College in December 2009 with a degree in Geology and minors in Chemistry and Painting. After graduation she wants to move to Burlington, VT, coach skiing at Stowe, and volunteer time to the Sierra Club of Vermont.

Sean Dixon graduated from the University of Denver in 2008 with a major in Finance and a minor in accounting. He currently works as an analyst for a value based hedge fund in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Paul Khuri graduated from Syracuse University in 2007 with a BA in International Relations and minors in Middle Eastern Studies and Economics. He is currently working for the Federal Government in Washington D.C. Eliza Outtrim narrowly missed making the US Olympic Team in January 2010. She did well in the women’s freestyle selections moguls events with a 2nd place finish. She took top U.S. honors with a 360 up top and a back lay for her bottom air, with a score of 24.19.

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Alumni News Continued...

2004 Pete Zimmer dropped by the school after a long absence.

He spent the last year hitchhiking with his girlfriend, Sarah Bunting, through Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

They lived in Mexico City for three months, where Pete played in a band, made and sold jewelry, and taught English in a small, private school. They met many interesting and generous people and learned to cook authentic Mexican food. They plan to stay in the USA for a while, continuing to make and sell jewelry at music festivals and farmers markets around the country.

Travis Walker has one semester of work to go before he gets his BA from Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.

Travis will complete a double major in Psychology and Philosophy. He got a dream summer job working onboard the Silverton Railroad, an antique steam-powered train that takes tourists from Durango into the mountains to Silverton.

Rachele Rothe received her BA in Psychology and Prevet from Emory University in Atlanta in December 2008.

She recently took the GRE and is applying to veterinary schools. She continues to have a passion for horses; this summer she helped as an instructor for Pony Club, she completed her level one rating in Centered Riding, which means she can now teach the technique to others, and she is riding her own horse in eventing competitions.

2005 Maddy McLean completed her degree requirements and will receive a BA from Bates College with a double major in Studio Art and French on May 31, 2009. Congratulations, Maddy.

Hanzi Deschermeier is attending St. Lawrence University. At the school’s recent Moving Up Day Awards Ceremony, Hanzi received the J. Kenneth Munson Award recognizing him for his achievements in the choral field and for his contribution to the Laurentian Singers, presented by the Department of Music.

David “Boone” Zavik graduated from the University of Denver in 2009 with a BA in Digital Media Studies and minors in Computer Science and Business Administration. He is currently the webmaster in the marketing department in his parents’ business.

2007 Kelly Northcutt completed her sophomore year at the University of Portland, where she is an Environmental Ethics and Policy major.

Leigh Ann Smith is attending Colorado State University.

She’s living in Steamboat this summer and has started a riding program for kids.

Margo Fragola is attending the University of Northern Colorado, with a double major in Earth Science and English.

2009 Jorid Halsnes, who attended LWS for two years, graduated from Steamboat High School in May 2009.

Faculty and Staff: Past and Present Lorene Workman died June 8, 2009. She was 88. Lorene was a life-long resident of Routt County, except for two years spent in Kansas, when her husband, Lloyd, was in the military. She was a cook at Whiteman in the 70’s.

Sandy Graves, Art and Spanish teacher from 1993 – 2009, was invited to show her sculptures at the Loveland “Sculpture in the Park” show in Loveland, CO. This is a very prestigious show and very few artists are invited to participate.

Cheryl Sleboda (Business Manager 1992-2001) is now the CFO at Anna Maria College. 44 Streeter Rd., Paxton, MA 01612.

Brick Root, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus teacher from 1988-2008, spent five months in Antarctica this winter. He provided support services for a science staff high in the mountains near the South Pole. The science project Brick was supporting is an aerial mapping of a mountain range that is buried under the ice cap. The camp is about 300 miles from the South Pole.

LWS was well represented at the 4th annual Steamboat Triathlon (3/4 mile swim, 20 mile bike, 4 mile run) on August 30, 2009. Kyle Ewing ’03 placed the highest of Whiteman competitors, coming in 20th out of 600 entered. Others who competed include KJ Mason ’99 and her sister, Meg ’97, Alli Williams Smith ’99, Andy Pratt, who drives the bus at LWS, Jim Oxenhandler, husband of Julia O., our Assistant to the Head, and Chris Sullivan, husband of Demetra Panagakos ’99.

Kenny Reisman (History teacher 1991-1996) was elected to the Steamboat Springs City Council on November 3, 2009.

Inspiring Minds & Inspiring Lives 9

Building On The Experience

By Christina McLean and Lane Malone

Lowell Whiteman School Invests $2.3 Million In Campus Plan boat contractor TCD is the builder. With room for 20 boys in singles, doubles and quads, floor plans are in keeping with LWS’s close-knit, small-group style of learning. A number of high-efficiency systems, and environmental and sustainable materials, have been factored into the structure’s design, including the use of locally harvested beetle-kill pine for interior trim, concrete floors that absorb the energy from the sun and radiate heat at night, radiant floor heating, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and on-site water collection and sewage treatment.

The residence hall has been built into the side of a hill with generous amounts of glass to absorb the south sun.

Recent contributions from alumni and alumni parents are funding an active solar component to be added during the final phase of construction this spring. The building will host its first group of young men in the fall of 2010-11.

Teacher Trenia Sanford, 4th generation rancher, gives railing Right Brand Of Education.

During Parents Weekend in late October 2009, the Lowell Whiteman School offered parents, students, trustees, alumni, friends, and community members a sneak peek at the new 6,000 square foot boys’ residence hall, including a celebration as distinctive as the LWS college preparatory education.

LWS has invested $2.3 million to date in the residence hall and campus infrastructure during Phase I of the Building on the Experience campaign, a 10-year Campus Master Plan that will eventually see such improvements as a new Student Center, a remodel and expansion of science labs and classrooms, an addition to the gym, more faculty/staff housing, green spaces and outdoor recreational facilities. Phase I of the campaign, supported through the generous contributions of LWS trustees, current parents, parents of alumni, alumni and foundations, is a vital element of the school’s ongoing commitment to Inspiring MINDS and Inspiring LIVES.

While students and their families gathered around a campfire, Technology Director and LWS teacher Trenia Sanford used the original “9” brand heated over hot coals to brand a handrail salvaged from the circa 1940s Bunkhouse. Having served Lowell Whiteman School for many years, the Bunkhouse is being replaced by the new residence hall. The old “9” brand, which belonged to our founder, Lowell Whiteman, was first registered in 1900, making it one of the oldest brands in Colorado. Using it to brand the handrail was the idea of Margi MisslingRoot, Director of Experiential Education. She felt that placing Lowell Whiteman’s original brand on the Bunkhouse handrail for use in the new building was a wonderful way to tie the school’s history and sense of place together. It would honor the memory of the Bunkhouse and all who lived there, as well as serve to inaugurate the new residence hall in Whiteman style. “Literally hundreds of hands have touched the beautifully worn wood of the handrail over the years in the Bunkhouse, and hundreds more in the years ahead will find it there inside the door of the new residence hall to guide their way,” Margi said.

Ewers Architecture of Golden, Colorado, was selected to design the New Boys’ Residence Hall, and local Steam-

New Boys’ Residence Hall at LWS.

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Remembering Lucy

By Meg Morse

On Sunday morning, January 31st, I heard the news.

Lucy Causley ’09 had died in a house fire in Gunnison, where she was attending college. After the shock wore off a little and the tears stopped flowing, I allowed my mind to flood with the images of Lucy that demanded my attention.

I was immediately struck by the fact that in every memory I have of Lucy, she is smiling or laughing; she engaged in every aspect of her life with vigor and unabashed joy.

For me, Lucy’s participation on our foreign trip to Vietnam and Cambodia last spring set the bar for other students. During the twenty-four days that we were abroad, Lucy barely paused for breath. Each new sight, smell, taste, and sound had a profound effect on her.

After a long day of

painting a school in the hill country of northern Vietnam, Lucy gladly stayed at the school to play soccer with the local students. She charged up and down the field scoring goals, adeptly stealing the ball, and laughing at herself when she whiffed. Then, she joined the group of students who had gravitated to the cool waters of a nearby waterfall.

Lucy climbed up to the highest point to jump into the deepest waters. Lucy wanted to make the most of each moment, and she fell in love with the countries, the people, and the cultures.

While I will always remember the great enthusiasm that Lucy had for traveling and learning from all of her interactions, her greatest contribution to the group was her laughter, which was never a polite chuckle in response to a joke, but a belly-clutching, gasping-for-air guffaw that was infectious. In every picture of Lucy that I took on the trip, she is either striking an “America’s Next Top Model” pose or bent double laughing uncontrollably. I have a picture of Lucy with a crepe draped over her face. In one of our homestays, Lucy somehow discovered that not only did the crepes taste delicious, but they also felt great when pressed against her face. Through the eye and mouth holes that she ripped in the crepe, her hilarity radiates. Lucy was a beautiful young woman, and my heart clings to Lucy’s spirit that shined every day and brought happiness to all those fortunate enough to be in her presence. R

The following are excerpts from a letter emailed to all LWS faculty

by Britt McLaughlin ’02 (Gunnision EMT) upon the death of Lucy Causley ’09. We share it with Britt’s permission so that it may provide the wisdom and support for others that it has for us.

Walt Daub, Head of School

Dear my LWS family, At eight on Saturday, the day of the fire, Mitch Globe (LWS Dean of Students) called me, and I realized how small this world is. I guess I was meant to be paged at 5:20 in the morning, to bear witness to a tragedy, to be affected the way I was, and eventually to reflect on the life I have and the time I spent at LWS. I never imagined my job would lead me back to all of you in such a profound and intense way. From the faculty I have spoken with over the last few days, as well as Janis, (Britt’s sister, class of ’08) I can tell Lucy made a huge impact and will be missed. The few times I had met her, I remember her being the way you all have described: bubbly, smart, and full of life. A shame she is gone so young. I truly pass on my condolences to you all, and I hope you can find some peace with her death, although so young and unexpected.

Lucy Causley April 5th, 1991 – January 30th, 2010

There is a trait given to me while I attended LWS, a trait I could see in the students from LWS attending the memorial.

You’ve taught us how to live, how to experience life as it is supposed to be experienced with an open mind, a hunger for knowledge, a passion for success and new experiences, holding fear in the back of our minds to be challenged every moment in order to see who we really are, and most importantly to face every person and situation with an open heart. With these traits we were able to embrace life fully and carry them on after graduation. Those students represented the best of Lucy and LWS. Since graduating from LWS, I have reflected often on the lessons I learned, both in the classroom and out. Be it Mr. Linville’s geography class, Mr. Roberts’ geometry class (how do you prove an orange is an orange), Mr. Whitacre’s history class (where every test I had a hand cramp by the end), and the list goes on… ultimately, life is much greater than textbooks and grades; it’s seeing that the only limitations are ones I put on myself.

Thank you for never giving up on me and for being proud of my accomplishments. I owe so much of my self-worth, my confidence, my want for challenges and my strength to you all. Through Lucy’s death, I can see it takes a special person to be a student at LWS. But, it takes an equally special and very remarkable person to be a faculty member. Together the two make an amazing combination: we grow and you support us, we learn from your knowledge, and we become better people following your advice and wisdom.

Britt McLaughlin ‘02 12

Foreign Travel Program

Vietnam & Mongolia

“‘You know what, you will never see this again in your life. “ “We were in Cambodia at the end of the trip for four days and the guide offered for us to go see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. We would have to leave at 5:30 a.m. to get there. At first the students were reluctant. Hannah Fishman was the first one who said, “I want to go!” and shortly thereafter, in this wave of enthusiasm, Lucy Causley, Josh Fix, and Haley Buchner all said, ‘You know what, you will never see this again in your life,’ and so they dragged themselves out of bed to do this. It was memorable, and we probably collectively took 5000 photos of the sunrise.”

- Meg Morse, Vietnam trip leader

“This is a crazy country. I thought I was going to die.”

“We were riding Mongolian horses across the steppes three miles to the river as we had to do once a day so they could drink. One night, we left a little late and so returned in the dark, galloping along, hardly able to see the ground beneath us. At one point, our host had his arm around me as our horses galloped side by side, the better to belt out Mongolian songs. Or rather he was singing in Mongolian. I was singing gibberish, and this made him laugh and laugh. Mongolian horseman often ride this way, side by side, galloping and deep in conversation or laughter. I was worried about the kids, but there was no stopping or slowing our Mongolian friend. He was not worried about the horses stumbling or running over anything. He had perfect faith in them to get us safely home. When we got to the gers (yurts), I quickly counted students, and yup, we had everybody. We were all breathing hard and grinning like fools. What we had done that night was very similar to what Chengis-Khan (the way Mongolians spell it) and his warriors had done over 800 years before. “This is a crazy country,” said Sarah Baumgartner. “I thought I was going to die,” but she was smiling. Me too, and that’s what made it so exciting! I’ll never forget that night.”

– Trenia Sanford, Mongolia trip leader 13

Walt Daub - A Lifetime Spent Inspiring Minds & Inspiring Lives

Walt Daub, LWS Head of School, 1998 - 2010 He can be found at 6:00 a.m., parked at his desk, getting a start on the day’s communication and decisions. But, come July 1, LWS Head of School Walt Daub will retire in order to take on new challenges that don’t involve erecting buildings, balancing budgets, hiring staff, and piloting a ship as involved as LWS. In his time at LWS, Walt has strengthened facilities, built housing for staff and students, provided much-needed office space, and improved the school’s technology infrastructure.

The Lockwood Faculty House and the new Boys’ Residence Hall exist today because of Walt’s vision for the campus. He served on the boards of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, and the Woodchuck Ditch Company, all of which strengthened the ties between LWS and the community. His open door has always

Walt through the years...

served as the signal that he is available to anyone at any time, and students, faculty, and staff have always known they’re welcome in his office. He has swung an axe, run a chain saw, and dug ditches. He has camped, biked, traveled, kayaked, taught, directed, mourned, and celebrated with the LWS community.

He has proudly sent LWS graduates into the world and maintained relationships with alums near and far.

Walt has loved and valued the school and Steamboat – the education, the skiing, the mountain biking, and the travel. After twelve years as Head of School, with his retirement, Walt and Jaynie will be able to enjoy these pursuits together, doing what they have imagined for themselves. LWS will long benefit from Walt’s contributions and his efforts to prepare the school to meet the challenges of the future. R

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The Lowell Whiteman School 42605 County Rd 36 Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 (970) 879-1350 www.lws.edu

Remember to send us your email address for future updates on The Lowell Whiteman School Experience!

In order to stay connected to LWS, send any updated contact information to connect@lws.edu. Please share your news with us, too! Send your news and photos to Joe Roberts, Alumni Director, at robertsj@lws.edu.

Spreading the Word

At the Lowell Whiteman School…

…We are Inspiring Minds & Inspiring Lives.

…Students are engaged, challenged and supported.

…LWS alumni are comfortable with who they are,

confident in their abilities and ready to lead remarkable lives Help us spread the word about LWS. Refer friends and families to our NEW website – www.lws.edu – and let them begin to discover for themselves all the amazing opportunities offered to students who attend the Lowell Whiteman School.

Creative direction provided by Julie Hebard at Ski Town Publications, Inc. Cover Photo © spillanecreative.com