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Brandi C. Williams-Moore ’96 on “The X Factor” in 2012.
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Kevin Hong ’94
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EVIN HONG ’94 worked eight years as a reporter and photojournalist at The Daily World in Aberdeen and now teaches second grade at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma and mentors at-risk teens. He continues to publish his photography (one book chronicles life at summer camp; a second documents historic and vintage bowling centers). “I thought I'd be involved in journalism for the rest of my life. But with newspapers everywhere dying slow, painful deaths, a new path made the most sense. I miss the daily excitement of the newspaper business, but I have always enjoyed working with young people. Switching careers is the best choice I have ever made. We hesitate because we fear stepping out of our comfort zones. I didn't know if I was doing the right thing by pursuing teaching at first, because it meant giving up everything I knew and learning a completely different skill set. But I tell my students the same thing every day: If you don't give it a shot, you'll never know what could have been.” ■
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IMMY THOMAS ’79 was in the mortgage business as a licensed loan officer – until the housing crash – while also playing in the Bollywood-rock band Manooghi Hi. He now teaches middle school English and digital media in the Edmonds School District. “It wasn't so much a reinvention as an evolution. Teaching is a blast and in middle school there is never a dull moment." ■
Olivia Powell
Kevin Hong ’94 with his class at Charles Wright Academy. Above, his photo of sunset at Samish Island, Wash., from his book, “Here By The Sea," celebrating the 90th anniversary of Camp Kirby. Below, Jimmy Thomas ’79, playing bass with Bollywood-rock band Manooghi Hi at Summer Meltdown Festival in Darrington in 2010.
RANDI C. WILLIAMSMOORE ’96 toured the U.S. and Europe backing up such big-name artists as Alicia Keys, Tamia, and Toni Braxton and has stayed involved in the entertainment business on projects as varying as “The X Factor” ; Whitney Houston’s final album, “I Look to You”; and “Sex and the City.” She now also works full time as music director at Chatsworth Hills Academy, a pre-K through 8th grade school in Los Angeles, where she designs curriculum and directs a wide variety of student musical groups and performances. “The root of my decision to move from aspiring entertainer was never to completely abandon the music industry but to deliberately seek out a way to marry my love for music and making an impact on people and people's lives into one meaningful journey. I began to reimagine the idealized image I had for myself to be only a singer/entertainer in the spotlight performing on stage. Sharing my practical experiences with artists I've worked with in the classroom, inviting artists and friends in the industry as guest speakers … to share with my students, is the greatest reward to the reinvention of my career.” ■
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ATIE FREDLUND CROFF ’99 switched from communications consulting on transportation improvements and environmental issues to teaching 5th grade at White Center Heights Elementary School in the Highline School District. “Making the career change three years ago has brought me a lot of happiness. I can truly say that I love my job. I put in long hours each day, but in return my students give me incredible energy and effort. They also make me laugh every single day. There is really no place I'd rather spend my working hours than in my classroom with my students.” ■ Alumni reinventors 35