Ojai Valley School Family Tree Magazine, Fall 2024
4 Head of School’s Message Land, Climate & the Link to OVS
6 Klamath River Restoration AP Students Explore Historic Dam Removal
16 Graduations & Promotions Pre-K to 12th Grade
42 Faculty Notes Retirements & Updates From Staff
44 Alumni News Alumni Events & Notes
52 The Final Word Memories from the Lower Campus
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Nicholas Thacher (L60), Chair
Patricia H. Farber, Treasurer
Andrew Helman, Secretary
Lars Kuelling, Head of School
James Casey (L95)
Kimberly Cluff (L83)
Robert G. Cooper Jr. (L61)
John B. De Nault III
Ousmane Fofana (U09)
Craig Marcus
Sally McClenahan Dyer (L87, U91)
Vahagn Nahabedian
Gail “Gigi” Ordway (U78)
Gretchen Schuette
Katharine Wang
Bob Zheng (U09)
GRATUS AETERNUM Leaders Honored for Distinguished Service
CHAIRMAN: A. Carl Kotchian
PRESIDENTS: Edward Yeomans and Michael D. Hermes (L53)
HEADMASTER: Wallace Burr
TRUSTEES: Robert E. Chesley, David J. Donlon, Benjamin E. Nordman, Anson S. Thacher, William Hair
CONTRIBUTORS
Thank you to Upper Campus journalism teacher Fred Alvarez and his students, including Frances English, Donahi Soriano and Andrew Little. Special thanks to Cathy Hertz (L51) for her remembrance of OVS in the 1940s. Other contributors include Zach Byars, Caitlin Cooper, Olena Emanuel, Leland Fulton, Misty Hall, Matt Inman, Lars Kuelling, Miles Munding-Becker, Ted Tambakis, Duncan Wallace, Chris Westcott, and Tracy Wilson. Thanks to graphic designer Logan Hall of Sideways 8 Creative.
THE COVER
Seventh-grader Kara Haase carries an armload of muddy mustard plants during a day of service with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. More than 150 Ojai Valley School students and teachers helped to remove invasive plants from two of open space preserves. Read more about the school’s focus on service and new Field Studies initiatives in this issue.
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Checkmate! Lower Campus boarding students play with giant chess pieces while taking in a spectacular sunset from the Upper Campus. Our youngest boarding students routinely enjoy Friday night dinners at Upper Campus with their older siblings and friends.
We know our students are part of a generation that will lead the way in addressing the climate crisis and preserving the Earth’s natural beauty and resources for future generations. As such, a key component of our recent Strategic Plan includes a greater emphasis on hands-on field studies and a commitment to Land & Climate education.
This educational approach is hardly new for Ojai Valley School. Founder Edward Yeomans advised students in the 1920s that “this school is only a part, and a small part, of your preparation for life. The rest of it is out of doors … on the hills, along the rivers.”
Today, our exploration of the land and the study of forces impacting our climate is both an essential part of our curriculum and an authentic connection to our past.
During the 2023-24 school year, students in the AP Environmental Science, Environmental History and Environmental Justice classes ventured outside the classroom to explore current issues facing California and the West. Students researched and then visited the Salton Sea in the fall and the Klamath River in the spring, and in each instance they had the opportunity to engage with either college educators or community leaders to make these trips more insightful and meaningful.
Those environmental courses – as well
our past, present and future Land & Climate
Linking
as Marine Science, Geology, Literature of the Wilderness, and History and Science of the Channel Islands – fulfill a new Land & Climate graduation requirement at the high school to give students a solid foundation in environmental literacy.
Beyond these classes, all high school students at the Upper Campus regularly participated in field studies projects this past year under the leadership of science teacher and Field Studies Coordinator Miles Munding-Becker (L09, U13). The projects included:
• Composting and sustainable agriculture lessons in which students participated in turning on-campus compost piles, utilizing the resulting soil for mulching or direct planting
• Water-quality monitoring in collaboration with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC), in which students monitored stream temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen at three designated sites
• Invasive species removal and stream discharge measurements in which students engaged in conservation efforts by removing invasive species on campus and conducting stream discharge measurements
As a component of our Field Studies program, Mr. Munding-Becker also led efforts to establish partnerships
with local and regional community organizations who share our commitment to educating students on how to be good stewards of the environment. Students have worked with the Green Valley Project, the C.R.E.W, OVLC, Cal Trout, Once Upon a Watershed, The Turtle Conservancy, Ojai Roots, Friends Ranch, and more.
We led two work days in which more than 150 OVS volunteers in middle and high school assisted the OVLC, as well as ongoing restoration efforts on Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands in partnership with the Channel Islands National Park. Huge thanks to Mr. Munding-Becker and teachers Zach Byars, Matt Inman, Duncan Wallace and Hadley English for leading these efforts and developing new Land & Climate programming.
As we look ahead to the 2024-25 school year, AP Biology teacher Leland Fulton will continue to work with the Turtle Conservancy by having his students dissect invasive Xenopus laevis (African clawed frogs). The goal is to identify frog gut content to better understand how invasive species affect food web dynamics. Sixth graders will continue the Ventura River Watershed Project under Ryan Lang’s guidance to examine multiple facets of the watershed from the top of Mt. Pinos to the mouth of the Ventura River. And teacher Krista Belgum will pilot a new Animal Science curriculum for students in grades PK-3.
Today, our exploration of the land and the study of forces impacting our climate is both an essential part of our curriculum and an authentic connection to our past.
Finally, I’m thrilled to announce that OVS has partnered with the Green Valley Project to create an outdoor learning space, which we are calling “Base Camp,” at the Upper Campus for our Outdoor Education and Field Studies programs as well as the rehabilitation of trails connecting the northwest section of campus to the adjoining Los Padres National Forest.
As envisioned, this new trail network will be utilized by students across the grade levels as well as OVS families and friends. The project will be funded by donations received during and after our annual spring Gala and Auction, which raised $115,300 specifically restricted for our Outdoor Education program.
We genuinely appreciate the contributions of so many members of our community, and we applaud the continued innovation by our talented faculty to enhance and develop new programming in support of OVS’ long-standing commitment to preparing students for the future.
Lars Kuelling OVS Head of School
Above: AP Environmental Science trip to the Salton Sea. Right: First graders study monarch butterfly migration in Goleta. Below: Middle schoolers remove invasive plants from OVLC lands. Below right: High school students monitor water quality in the Ventura River Watershed.
Klamath River Restored
AP Students Visit California’s Second-Largest River to Study Ecosystems Amidst Historic Dam Removal
By Tracy Wilson
There are countless destinations in California to take students for handson field studies when the topics are biology and environmental science. But few are as currently relevant as the Klamath River.
Four dams on the Klamath will be taken down in the largest dam removal project in United States history by the end of this year. The $500-million plan will open up hundreds of miles of wild salmon habitat and return the lower half of California’s second-largest river to a free-flowing state for the first time in more than a century.
Native American tribes and environmentalists have fought for decades to restore the Klamath. Now, tribal, federal and university researchers are studying the river’s response as the dams come down.
And OVS students were there as it was happening.
In late April, a dozen students in the Advanced Placement Biology and Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES) classes, plus a few other non-AP students, spent five days on the river to learn about hydrology,
ecosystem dynamics, threatened species, and more.
“This project is significant in that it is the largest restoration effort undertaken to restore wild salmon populations and establish a significant cultural resource to many of the local indigenous peoples,” said APES teacher Miles Munding-Becker (L09, U13). “We could seriously teach an entire class on this project alone.”
Exploring the ecologically diverse Klamath Siskiyou region has been a passion for Mr. Munding-Becker as well as AP Biology teacher Leland Fulton.
Both teachers have numerous ties to the area. Mr. Fulton earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Southern Oregon University and his Master’s degree in teaching from the University of Portland. Mr. MundingBecker earned his Master’s degree in Environmental Systems at Cal Poly Humboldt, where his work focused on fluvial systems and hydrogeology.
“I know that Miles spent a substantial amount of class time preparing for the trip, as much of the APES curriculum can be almost directly addressed through the lens of the Klamath dam removal project,” Mr. Fulton said. “In
AP Bio, we examined the project as part of our broader study of conservation biology. Ecological restoration and, more broadly, the concepts of ecosystem dynamics, trophic cascades, and keystone species were all addressed in preparation for this trip. Students engaged in a number of thoughtful discussions surrounding the idea of ecosystem goods and services and how the decision to remove these dams came to be and why dam removal remains such a contentious subject in the region.”
After much preparation, the science teachers loaded their students into vans on a Sunday and drove to a dispersed campsite in the Marble Mountain Wilderness. The next morning, the group met up with Indigo Creek Outfitters, who took them on a guided rafting trip from the lower Scott River to the Klamath River.
“We were the first commercial trip, as far as we know, to raft
that particular run post dam drawdown,” said Mr. MundingBecker, who also serves as the school’s Field Studies Coordinator.
The group then drove up the Scott River and volunteered with the Scott River Watershed Council, a local organization that has been involved in river restoration since 1992. They spent a day touring a variety of restoration sites on the Scott River and its tributaries, learning about local hydrology, land use practices, community outreach, and endangered species.
The students were also able to speak with individuals directly involved as stakeholders in the dam removal action plans, as well as the owner of the rafting company and the executive director of a non-profit focused on restoring salmon habitat. Their knowledge and perspectives helped to broaden the students’ understanding of project, Mr. Fulton said.
Getting students to the Klamath region was a major goal this past school year and plans are already in the works to take another group in October.
Recent graduate Donahi Soriano (L20, U24) participated on the spring trip and said it was an experience she will always remember.
“I learned about beavers and their effect on the ecosystem and how hard the locals are working to preserve and take care of the environment around them,” she said. “It was gorgeous to see the beautiful landscapes and how green everything around was! We got so close to each other on that trip and it’s something I will never forget!”
Students Hike, Paddle, Surf, and Climb on Spring Trips
Across the grade levels, Ojai Valley School students ventured near and far this past spring to explore rivers, canyons, mountains and meadows as part of the Outdoor Education program.
High school students hiked to the top of the Topa Topa mountains, surfed the break at San Onofre and trekked the Trans Catalina trail. The seniors navigated 40-plus miles of whitewater on Oregon’s wild and scenic Rogue River – a bittersweet experience as it was their final trip as a class.
In the lower grades, 13 groups of middle and elementary students visited national and state parks, and hiked the San Rafael, Dick Smith, Matilija, Sespe, and Chumash Wildernesses of the Los Padres National Forest.
Elementary students camped for one to two nights, while middle schoolers camped for up to eight nights. The advanced backpacking group led by Matt Inman and Duncan Wallace ventured on and off trail through canyons and valleys seldom seen in
the Sespe. The nine-day, 100-mile route presented challenges, but also opportunities to plunge into a variety of exceptional swimming holes!
In the months prior to departing, middle school groups met weekly with trip leaders to help develop essential skills and build peer relationships. Teams learned about beneficial botany such as mugwort, white sage, and California bay laurel, and searched for pictographs and petroglyphs as part of a spotlight on honoring the Chumash people.
OVS Joins Outdoor Alliance for Kids
Ojai Valley School has joined the Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK), a national partnership of more than 100 businesses and nonprofit organizations who share a common goal of connecting children, youth, and families with the outdoors.
OAK’s advocacy framework rests on three pillars: education, health and wellness, and environmental stewardship. Head of School Lars Kuelling pursued OAK membership because the alliance shares the school’s long-held beliefs about the benefits of outdoor experiences.
“OAK’s mission centers around the idea that the health of our planet, and the wellness of future generations, depends on us having direct connections with the outdoors,” Mr. Kuelling said.
“The school’s Portrait of a Graduate specifically references the importance of students getting outdoors and becoming champions of the environment. Joining OAK will deepen our commitment toward that goal.”
OAK first came on the school’s radar when alumnus Tigran Nahabedian (L19, U23) became involved with the alliance while he was a student at OVS. In his senior year, Tigran traveled to Washington D.C. and had the honor of introducing Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who served as the keynote speaker at the opening day of OAK Week.
Tigran still serves as an advisor to OAK and says the school’s involvement in the alliance will create new partnerships and opportunities for student leadership.
“I think that one of OVS’s biggest strengths is the outdoor education program which teaches students a wide variety of lessons and skills, allows them to become leaders, and builds a closeknit community,” he said. “As an OAK member, OVS now has an opportunity to engage in a much wider community of outdoors-minded youth and develop these crucial skills further.”
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the more than 260 parents, alumni, faculty and friends who attended our 2024 Gala & Auction at the Lower Campus in May. It was our largest attendance to date and a wonderful night in support of OVS!
Together we raised more than $262,000, including $115,300 from the paddle raise that will be restricted for our world-class Outdoor Education program. Donations will fund much-needed equipment, training, and enhanced experiences for our students across the grade levels, as well as a reinvigorated trail system at the Upper Campus.
We genuinely appreciate the contributions of so many members of our community, especially our event sponsors. Beyond the fundraising, it was a beautiful evening to gather with friends and enjoy an elegant dinner, fine wine, and great music.
To the volunteers who worked behind the scenes, thank you for facilitating such a positive and fun event for the OVS community. Special thanks to filmmakers and current parents Lauren Cerre and Tyler Manson for producing a wonderful minidocumentary, which can be found on the OVS website.
Mark your calendars for next year’s Gala on May 3, 2025!
Lower Readers Compete in Battle of the Books
Two tenacious teams of elementary readers went head-to-head against fifteen other schools in Ventura County to represent Ojai Valley School in the Ventura County Department of Education’s Battle of the Books competition in April. The event boasted two twenty-question rounds of bookish trivia in which the students only had twenty seconds to write the title and author of the book applicable to the question. The OVS “Spuddies” – Rian Wong, Elli Broome, Kyleeanna Westcott, Gavin Scordgamaglia, and Rowan Steuer – took fourth place, and the OVS “Swifties” – Ellie Rood, Emma Horton, Zendaya Wisniewski, Cooper Sullivan, and Stella Stifel – came only a few points behind in fifth place. “In an utter triumph of literacy,” said Librarian Vivian Smith, “all participants emerged from the competition beaming with delight and a desire to recommit as contestants for next year’s competition!”
Runners Volunteer at Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
OVS cross country team members and other students from the Upper Campus volunteered at two aid stations for the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon in April, giving water to runners on the 26.2-mile course that starts in Ojai and ends in Ventura. This is the third year that OVS students and faculty members have volunteered at the marathon, which recorded 1,654 finishers this spring on one of the fastest courses in the United States.
Imagine Concert Celebrates Middle Eastern Music at Bowl
Ojai Valley School and the Ojai Music Festival coproduced a live concert of Middle Eastern music in March for nearly 800 elementary students from across the Ojai Valley and west Ventura. The free “Imagine Concert” at Libbey Park featured dancers and musicians from the UCSB Middle Eastern Ensemble, who performed Turkish dances, Greek and Iranian songs, and a Kuwaiti drum solo.
In recent years, OVS and OMF have partnered to bring music from India, Japan, and Africa to the Bowl. The performances have been made possible by the Barbara B. Smith Fund, an endowment fund of the Ventura County Community Foundation. Barbara was an OVS alum, Class of 1935, and a University of Hawaii professor emeritus of ethnomusicology. She believed children should learn about world music and cultures through live performance and we are proud to support her vision through the annual Imagine Concerts.
Eighth Graders Paint Mural at Lower Pool Complex
Each year, OVS 8th graders donate their time and talent toward a campus project that will benefit future generations of students. This year’s project was a colorful mural on the east wall of the Donlon Pool Complex at Lower Campus.
Led by local artist Amy Lynn Stevenson and art teacher Patty Campbell, the mural features colorful scenes of wildlife and
landscapes from the Ojai Valley and the Ventura coast. Ms. Stevenson and Mrs. Campbell projected images on the wall, which they then sketched by night so that students could paint them in during the day. It took them five weeks to complete the mural, which is 60 feet wide and 7 feet tall. Be sure to visit the pool complex to see this beautiful art project and class gift!
Robotics Students Earn Scholarships for Innovation
Congratulations to William Ramsay (U24) and Karin Hahn (L20, U24), winners of our first Gene Haas-sponsored OVS Robotics Computer Aided Manufacturing Contest! William took 1st place and earned a $1,200 scholarship for his robot’s “pixel placement” device, and Karin took runner-up and a $800 scholarship for her robot’s exoskeleton.
Students had to use original designs that utilized the school’s CNC machine, laser cutter, or 3D printers. Thank you to the Gene Haas Foundation for working with our students and supporting the OVS Robotics program with a separate donation this year to help our teams with many items needed for their competitions.
Thank you also to the Black Family Foundation for supporting our Makerspace and our Robotics and Flight
initiatives with a generous grant that will fund new tools, workstation mats, upgrades to our RC aeronautical corner, battery charging and discharging systems, and more for the 2024-25 school year!
Lectern from 1950s Restored for Lower Graduation
Middle School students participate in Friday afternoon clubs, including one led by math teacher Duncan Wallace called the “Friday Fix-It Crew” that focuses on repairs and small projects at the Lower Campus. This spring, the Fix-It Crew helped to restore a lectern originally built by members of the Class of 1955.
“As long as I have been at OVS, it was in the science room,” Mr. Wallace said. “Matt (Inman) passed it on to
me a few years ago to make sure it was taken care of when he semiretired. My group of kids identified that it needed some work, so we went about giving it a new start.”
During the restoration process, Mr. Wallace and his students needed to remove rotted wood and other damage to the lectern. In that process, they discovered four names scrawled on the underside – Ernie Smith, Alan Pearson, Bill Wilmer, and
Dick Warring – who were all students in the 1950s. Mr. Wallace worked overtime to finish the repairs. After a few final coats of polyurethane, the lectern gleamed like new for the May graduation and promotion ceremonies.
“We wanted to keep as much of it original as possible,” Mr. Wallace said, “and not lose any of the character it gained in the past 69 years.”
Sophomore Golfer Advances to CIF
Sinking a game-breaking putt, sophomore Jay Galgano (L22) beat his opponent by just one stroke this spring and earned a spot in the CIF regional tournament at the Los Robles Greens golf course in Thousand Oaks. Jay was the only golfer on the OVS team who split time between two sports – golf and baseball – and the only golfer who qualified for CIF.
“It’s hard to balance the two, especially with time,” Jay said. “Baseball practice could run late, and you don’t have enough daylight to hit balls every day, so it gets harder to play.”
His long-standing love for the sport contributed greatly to his perseverance throughout the season, even when he didn’t feel fully prepared. He said: “Going into it I wasn’t really expecting much since I’m not playing constantly because of baseball. I was just going for it, and once I finished, I was impressed with my score.”
Land Acknowledged for Chumash
This spring, eighth graders developed a Land Acknowledgement statement to deepen the school’s commitment to honoring Chumash history, traditions, and culture. The statement, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in June, reads: “We honor the Chumash as the original caretakers of this unceded land, and acknowledge their displacement, dispossession, and continued presence in ‘Awha’y (Ojai).”
The students went on to write that an authentic Land Acknowledgment goes deeper than a few words on a formal document: “it is a promise to spread awareness of Chumash culture, never forget past injustices, and honor the land as their ancestors did, and they continue to do so today. This Land Acknowledgement is a promise that Ojai Valley School intends to uphold now and long into the future.”
New Building Completed at Lower Campus
Ojai Valley School has completed a new building project at Lower Campus that includes a flexible indoor-outdoor classroom for project-based learning and an administrative suite to enhance campus security. Work is also underway for a solar array next to the new building that will provide 94% of campus electricity.
“These twin projects come at an exciting time,” said Head of School Lars Kuelling. “The building will provide much-needed additional classroom space and the solar array reflects our community’s commitment to sustainability and self-reliance.”
The classroom and new administrative suite are expected to open in time for the start of the 2024-25 school year. The administrative suite, called the John Erskine Welcome Center, is named for alumnus and benefactor John Erskine (L35), a surgeon who credited his career to the hands-on lessons taught by school founder Edward Yeomans in the woodshop in the 1930s.
Class of 2024
As we face the next chapter of our lives, it’s impossible to ignore the unique path that has brought us here. Our eighth-grade graduation was stolen from us by the unprecedented arrival of COVID-19, but today we reclaim that lost moment with a much-anticipated celebration. This is our first graduation.”
—
Elizabeth Ramsay
The students you are looking at today are motivated, adaptable to change, welcoming, adventurous, and intelligent. Although we all have those similarities as a class, we all have differences and a sense of uniqueness to each of our personalities, which makes our class a force to be reckoned with.
This year, gradually and almost accidentally, our class came to find that you can lead with integrity while still having a good time.
— Ben Manning
— Eli Roston
Head of Upper Campus Message
By Craig Floyd, Head of Upper Campus
Where do I start to talk about this class? There is so much that can be said. This is a class that overcame adversity along their journey in high school and had great achievements. They graduated from 8th grade under the cloud of COVID. Most started their 9th grade remotely at home while some started as resident students on campus but studying online. Eventually, they assembled on campus in October to begin the in-person journey. More than half of this class came from our Lower Campus and knew each other, while the other 13 had to find their way into this strong group. And they did. By the end of their freshmen year, it was clear that this was a class that would do great things.
Over their years here, they tackled many AP courses with several members of the class earning recognition of distinction from the College Board. They took part in many camping trips around the western United States on rivers, beaches, islands, in the mountains and even to Patagonia in South America. Some of them even planned and executed camping trips of their own. They helped restart the boys volleyball team, and they played on CIF playoff teams in many sports. Some were incredible journalists
who not only wrote for our school publications but were also published in the local Ojai Valley News. One of our students served as the editor of the Student Union portion of the Ojai Valley News. Some of the students served on the newly formed Ojai Mayor’s Youth Council learning about local government and issues within the community.
Speaking of writing and government, through their efforts in Student Council, this class helped to propose a change to the dress code. For many years, students complained about the dress code, and every time they were told the same thing: bring forth a proposal that we can discuss. They never materialized. Finally, this group of achievers brought forth a proposal, I discussed it with them, we made modifications, took a draft to Mr. Kuelling, and through the process they received approval for changes in the dress code for next year. This class will not benefit from the change, but they championed for the community that will come behind them.
Community service was a major
component of their high school careers. They worked at Food Share to pack food boxes for the needy. They worked on field projects for the Ojai Land Conservancy. They cleaned up local properties after major rainstorms. They packed and delivered backpacks filled with school supplies to students after disasters. They helped care for animals at the Humane Society, read books to primary students at the Lower Campus, helped clear invasive plants off Anacapa Island to help restore natural habitat, and so much more.
Several members of the class had disciplinary issues that removed them from campus for a period of time, but through the school’s belief in students making mistakes and earning a second chance, those members worked hard to earn the opportunity to return and they did with a renewed vigor and we could not be prouder of their accomplishments.
Well, by now, you should have a pretty good picture of this class. They have done amazing things and there is more to come. Seniors, keep following your passions, the world awaits you with open arms. You are the future leaders of the world, continue to make us proud!
Head of School Message
Today, we gather to recognize our graduating seniors and to send them off into the world. As we do, let’s reflect on this diverse group of students.
They come from around the world and throughout the United States and from places much closer, such as Ventura and Ojai. Some have been at OVS for fifteen years, while others have been here for just one year. They wear many hats – artists, musicians, athletes, equestrians, robotics engineers, outdoors people, journalists, environmentalists, community service members, leaders, and the list goes on. They plan to major in the STEM fields, in history, film, business, psychology, art, or even “undecided.”
I love that answer. It takes a lot of courage in today’s world to say, essentially, “I am not sure exactly where my passions lie, but the world is my oyster, and I can’t wait to explore it!” Either way, graduates, decided or undecided, I am not worried about your ability to successfully navigate your college years and to find a productive life.
When asked by me during their exit interviews if they feel prepared for college, the seniors unanimously, well, almost unanimously, replied with a variant of yes:
“Yeah.”
“I think so.”
“As well as I can be.”
“Yes.”
“I’m so ready for it.”
“More than ready.”
“Scared, but ready.”
The one outlier response? “I don’t know if I’m prepared, but I have to be.”
By Lars Kuelling, Head of School
To be certain, graduates, I am glad you feel well prepared for college. Yet, to be frank, you won’t really know if you are well prepared until you are there. And, if you do feel unprepared, which is perfectly normal, may I suggest a few helpful lessons that were learned right here at OVS:
• Find your people. Some of you found your people in the dorms, in the robotics arena, in journalism class, or at In-n-Out Burger on the trip home after a tough road loss. It doesn’t really matter where you found community, it just matters that you found it.
• As a corollary to finding your people, seek out professors and find a mentor or two. Use their office hours. Stay after class. You may just find that you have caring professors at college, much as you did at OVS.
• Be open to the academic opportunities college will present. Some of you never knew you were amazing artists before coming to OVS. Others of you found out you learned more in one of your non-academic
classes than in your toughest AP class. Try a new class or activity while you’re in college; you may find a new passion and career path.
• Finally, do something that makes you happy. Be selfish about that activity. OVS founder Edward Yeomans said: “One of the most essential of the lessons of life is this: What to do with leisure time so that it shall always be re-creative, so that it shall always renew a right spirit within you.”
And find a way to get outdoors. Run in Lower Manhattan or Costa Mesa. Seek out vantage points for sunrises and sunsets, whether that’s in the Shenandoah Valley or the Palo Alto hills. Spend time star-gazing, whether in Golden, Colorado or Columbus, Ohio. Make time for woodworking, ceramics, or a grunge rock band. In short, find a way to feed your soul wherever you are!
One last thing, graduates: remember all of us here at OVS and know that we believe in you and your capabilities. You’re all well-prepared for the next journey; you’ve got this!
ALULA ALDERSON — Stanford University
In all ways, Alula set herself apart as an exceptional student and an outstanding contributor to her community at Ojai Valley School and beyond. She is a leader, she is passionate, she is curious, she is well read, she is tough, and she is kind. Among her many gifts, Alula is an exceptional writer, and this is especially true in her study and application of journalism, where she served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and led the effort to publish, in conjunction with the local paper, the journalism work of students from high schools through the Ojai Valley. She was editor of that publication, and her finished product drew rave reviews from the publisher and editors of the Ojai Valley News. A look at her transcript will reveal a superior student, but her teachers will tell you that Alula’s true talent lies in the genuine curiosity and love of learning she brings to each subject she studies. Her academic work dovetails nicely with her passions and interests, especially in the area of environmental science and sustainability, where she led important campaigns to plant trees and save butterflies. She lives her life with purpose, and, by doing so, she has left her mark on our campus and on the world at large.
VLADA ANTIPKINA — Parsons School of Design
We will never again hear the word SLAY (that’s S-L-A-Y) without thinking of Vlada. If you know her, you know it’s one of her catch phrases, and that it perfectly fits with the funny, free spirit that she is. When she arrived at Ojai Valley School midway through her sophomore year, she had to scramble to fulfill course requirements that weren’t part of her early high school experience, and in doing so she earned the reputation on campus as a student who took on challenges and worked hard to meet those. But while she shined in multiple subject areas, it was art courses — particularly those involving photography — where she set herself apart. Vlada is a gifted photographer, and has demonstrated her talent as part of the academic curriculum at OVS, and beyond. Her goal is to become a professional photographer, and she has taken huge steps toward that objective in her high school career. She has essentially already worked professionally, capturing and publishing images for various brands, online products and influencers. Even at school, she has helped other students generate photos for their businesses, including one student who launched a clothing brand and another who is producing and selling ceramics. We have no doubt she will SLAY this fall in NYC at Parsons!
BOHDAN CHERKAI — Washington & Lee University
He has only been with us a year, but what a journey he had. If you don’t know, Bohdan is from Ukraine and, when war erupted in his home country, he essentially got stuck in the United States as an exchange student in Minnesota. Needing to complete his high school diploma and launch his college journey, he says he got lucky when OVS agreed to step up and help. But really, we have been the lucky ones. Bohdan flourished in his classes, which included five Advanced Placement courses. He plugged into a range of activities, joining the flag football team, the award-winning journalism program and the outstanding robotics program. He was also the Omega League’s 200-meter track champion. But here is what is truest about Bohdan: if there was an opportunity to volunteer, he was among the first to sign up. If there was a chance to improve the campus, he did not hesitate to extend a helping hand. If there was an outdoor education trip on the schedule, Bohdan had a seat in the van. He is smart, thoughtful and talented, and he brought a combination of gracious service and determination to better himself and those around him. We will miss those deep, philosophical conversations that have become his trademark, but Washington & Lee University will be the better for his presence.
MORGAN ELLIS — UC Santa Cruz
Morgan is somewhat of a local hero, as he pulled off a school miracle this year by persuading Head of Campus Craig Floyd to allow student parking spots to be auctioned off as a fundraiser for the senior class. This might not seem like a big deal. But for as long as Mr. Floyd has been at the school (and that’s a long time), this idea has been floated without any real follow through by students – until Morgan made it happen. The fact is, Morgan is an originator, an idea producer and a contributor, and he seemed to get stronger in all of these areas as his high school journey unfolded. At any given time, you could find him in the robotics lab, on the baseball field, on the cross-country course and on outdoor excursions. And he accomplished all of that while excelling at a variety of outside interests, including participating on the Mammoth Mountain National Snowboarding team. He is a wicked good snowboarder, so good in fact that he has earned that high level of achievement through hours and years of commitment to the sport. That’s Morgan’s story. An active, adventurous student, he finds his passions and then dedicates himself to pursuing and then mastering them.
ANNA ENGLISH — Lewis and Clark College
She didn’t arrive at the Upper Campus until her senior year, so you would think that perhaps there might have been an adjustment period to fitting in with the Class of 2024. But it was as if Anna had been with us all along. And in some ways she had. She attended elementary and middle school at the Lower Campus, and so she had a built-in friend group when she arrived at Upper. She also quickly got busy engaging in the wide range of opportunities offered in outdoor education, athletics and college preparatory academics. Using the fitness she had built as a tennis player, she became the lead runner on the cross country team, and then had to demonstrate real grit when she got injured and had to limp to the finish line in the league final. Anna still managed a Top 10, All-League finish. She helped produce the yearbook, took on tough Advanced Placement classes and unleashed her innovative side in courses in digital design and creative writing. She also learned in the outdoors, joining AP trips to the Salton Sea and the Klamath River, where students saw for themselves the impact humans have had on the environment. This fall she is off to study psychology at Lewis and Clark.
FRANCES ENGLISH — UC Santa Cruz
She is a journalist at heart, a wordsmith who this year unleashed her voice and fiercely wielded her talent. She wrote stories about everything from the repurposing of white bark pine trees for Lower Campus woodshop projects to the retirement of beloved bus driver, Gil Saucedo. She also had plenty to say about Taylor Swift, but that’s a story for another time. Now, of course, there are other sides to Frances as well. Like her sister (we learned in their joint Capstone presentation on twins that we shouldn’t call them “The Twins”), Frances returned to OVS, after studying at Lower Campus, to conclude her high school experience. And like her sister, she thrived in our community, becoming a leader in so many respects. But perhaps Frances’ time at the Upper Campus is best exemplified by her decision to run cross country. Her coach likes to say his runners must be ready to face the three Hs: it is a sport that is hot, hilly and hellish. Frances will agree that she experienced all three in megadoses this year, but she would also tell you that she learned much about herself in doing what is hard. Her growing resilience and independence will continue this fall as Frances heads to UC Santa Cruz.
ELSA FENG — Emmanuel College
Take a look at the world through the eyes of this young artist and you will experience something very special. She was a regular in the Upper Campus art studio, excelling in two Advanced Placement courses that truly showcased her skills. Her art teacher last year lauded the quality of her AP portfolio, which was centered around the theme of fashion made from trash, and characterized Elsa as an exceptional student, praising her hard work, creativity, and growing confidence in her artistic abilities. The same was true of Elsa’s work for the yearbook, which stood out to such a degree that she was named one of the yearbook editors her senior year. Outside of the classroom, Elsa made her presence felt. She was elected by peers to serve as the Student Council’s Weekend Representative, one of the most important posts at a boarding school like ours as she served as the main conduit for generating and communicating ideas for weekend activities for resident students. Most importantly, Elsa learned how to learn in her time at the Upper Campus, immersing herself in the OVS curriculum and pursuing her passion for those subjects that best suited her. She is a young woman on the rise, and she will continue on that path next year in Boston at Emmanuel College.
MATTHEW GALGANO — The Ohio State University
At Upper Campus, he is simply known as Matty G. And he is a young man of depth and substance. Creative, committed, cerebral and curious, Matthew has taken full advantage of his high school experience, as he could be found leaping into water holes in the backcountry on outdoor excursions and playing key roles on the school’s golf team. He challenged himself by taking ten AP and honors classes during the course of high school career, and he distinguished himself as a valuable member of our robotics team, helping construct the robot each year and serving as one of the two drivers during competitions. But while all of this is true, Matt’s finest attribute is arguably the size of his heart. He is a caring, compassionate human being, and a student held in high esteem by his peers and teachers. That is why his peers elected him as senior class representative, a huge endorsement of his talents and abilities. He is funny, quiet and often reserved, but that fits him incredibly well. He doesn’t spend time telling you what he does well, he spends his time showing the best parts of himself. And now he’s ready to fly, literally, as he’s off to the Ohio State University to become a pilot.
GAVIN GONZALEZ — Ventura College
What’s good, Gavin? Ask his teachers and they will describe him this way: A committed learner. A good friend to all. A young man of hidden talents and unlimited potential. It’s hard to describe how far Gavin has come in his OVS journey, but to know Gavin is to know one of the kindest students on campus, a young man with a big heart, a wide smile and a cando attitude. He has come far as a learner, certainly in the academic arena but perhaps more importantly in the areas outside of the classroom that are core to the OVS experience. Gavin demonstrated that growth in his Senior Capstone, where he talked about his evolution as a runner. Now he never crossed a finish line first or won All League honors, but Gavin spoke of something more spiritual on that day: of finishing every race he started, of gaining ground and pushing forward even when every fiber of his being screamed at him to stop, of getting to the end of a tough patch, no matter whether that was a race course, a class assignment or some larger life entanglement. So we will tell you “what’s good,” Gavin! You are — in the way you learned, the way you grew and the way you contributed.
KARIN HASEGAWA HAHN — UC Davis
Here’s a quick story about Karin. Within a week’s time, she took part in a cross country race, which of course makes sense as she served as team captain and a valuable member of the varsity squad, performed in a talent show, where she was at the center of several musical numbers on drums and keyboard, then finally on a Saturday morning, there was Karin at one of our robotics meets, putting the robots through their paces. What didn’t Karin do at our school? There is a reason that she was presented with the Andrew Kille Award, which recognizes the best all-around senior. Karin is certainly that. She is a high-achieving student, an elected and appointed student leader, and a committed service volunteer. She was named by the College Board an AP Scholar and has been on the FTC Robotics Dean’s List. All of these accolades certainly provide one way of telling Karin’s story, but here is what we will remember most: she was a good friend to all and one of the kindest young people you will ever meet. In her OVS journey, she signed up, plugged in and led the way, and we have been the better for it. Given her can-do, get-involved nature, she will no doubt be involved in countless activities at UC Davis, where she plans to major in biomedical engineering.
DYLAN HAMILTON-WEST — Pratt Institute
been shaped by his experiences, and to know that he is prepared to take his next steps into the world. Today, he possesses the soul of an artist, demonstrating huge talent as a photographer and videographer. One of his goals is to become a professional videographer, and he spent time last summer in a college-level program in which he produced a short film on the streets of New York City that won first place in a Los Angeles-area film festival. He learned the struggle of how to run one lap around a track as fast as he was capable, figuring out how to stay the course and dig deep, especially when it starts to hurt. He learned to think beyond himself, whether it was reestablishing a storytelling initiative that connects high school students with younger students at Lower Campus, or whether it was raising money via a skate-a-thon as part of a campaign to build a skatepark for Native American skaters in Arizona. And, of course, in all of this he learned a lot about himself, and he is the better for it. He will return to the streets of New York City next year as a student at the Pratt Institute.
ANNIE HEINEMANN — University of Florida
How will we remember Annie? Crashing the boards on the basketball court, gobbling up rebounds and scoring at a prolific rate. Battling the elements at the Salton Sea, which included falling into a thick pile of mud that she says consisted of chemicals and fish bones. Trading ideas with her classmates in any number of high-powered courses, including AP Psychology where last year she was honored as the top student. Here is what is truest about Annie: she is so good at so much. She is a voracious learner, explorer, and thinker. She takes on challenges and rises to her feet after setbacks. And she is fearless in her pursuit of new pursuits, as evidenced by her decision to take up the sport of basketball in her junior year. She had never seriously played the sport before, but excelled to such a degree that she was named league MVP her junior year. Annie demonstrated the same kind of commitment to bettering the world around her, volunteering to package and send school supplies to flood victims, cleanup local roadways and beaches, and plant milkweed at our hilltop campus in an effort to revive a flagging monarch butterfly population. She is off to study at the University of Florida.
AIDEN HOLLON — University of Cincinnati
Aiden is a student of science, a proud robotics devotee, a tinkerer extraordinaire. Since arriving at the Upper Campus at the start of his sophomore year, Aiden has steadily discovered his passions and put his talents and energies toward exploring those subjects that most engage him. He tapped his programming expertise to help turn our competitive robotics team into a regional power, and he loaned his keen eye to Video Production to help highlight campus happenings. Aiden also contributed to our sports program, especially when it came to baseball, where this year he became one of the Omega League’s leading sluggers. Last year, he was able to combine his mechanical prowess with his athletic interests when he took it upon himself to single handedly fix a pitching machine that had not worked in years. His commitment to the scientific process was on full display during his Senior Capstone, where he took a rapt audience through the process of turning used water bottles into 3D printer filament. While many talk about recycling and sustainability, Aiden demonstrated those ideals not as words, but as a call to action. He is headed to the University of Cincinnati, where there is a lot more action in his future.
CHARLES HSU — Northeastern University
Head of Campus Craig Floyd wanted to challenge Charles to a dance battle, but he was worried he would get hurt. By all accounts, Charles was a standout student and contributor at the Upper Campus. On the basketball court, in the Student Council room, in the dorms, on outdoor excursions, in the classroom, and yes, on the dance floor, Charles’ resume is a testament to his love for our school community. But it is also evidence of the curiosity and commitment he infuses into all he does. He tried his hand at multiple sports, but basketball was his game of choice, and on the court he emerged as a leader through his play and hard work. The same was true when it came to dance. It was the subject of his Senior Capstone, and in AP Physics his final project focused on “The Physics of Ballet,” which connected the world of dance to ideas from physics such as torque, friction and projectile motion. That connection was not by accident. Charles has taught dance and has used it to break down age and cultural barriers in his native Taiwan, and at OVS he was enlisted to choreograph dance moves for our school musicals. If Northeastern University has a dance team, the Huskies would be lucky to have him!
KATE HUEY — Pitzer College
It is fitting to start by talking about water. Kate has long been a competitive swimmer for her club team, qualifying for Junior Olympics two years in a row. She dedicated many of her teenage hours to the sport, and is still considering pursuing it in some fashion in college. But much like the power she generates to propel herself forward in the pool, there is much churning underneath the surface with this young woman. Her teachers describe her as conscientious, bright, funny, enthusiastic, and engaged – and a quiet, powerful leader who lets her actions speak for themselves. Since arriving at the Upper Campus in ninth grade, Kate has taken on a challenging class load, investing in 10 Advanced Placement and honors courses, showcasing her diversity of skills and interests in everything from world history to psychology. While she is good at so much, ultimately Kate leaned hardest into those classes where she could flex her writing muscle, and is the back-to-back recipient of the coveted Judith Oberlander Poetry Prize for her sublime, introspective work in that field. She added to that this year by winning the Dorothy Burr Literary Award, the highest honor a writer at our school can achieve. She has talent in abundance, and next year will flex that power at Pitzer College.
IFU KUBO — UC Riverside
In his four years at the Upper Campus, Ifu emerged as one of the most valuable members of our community. Understated and helpful in all ways, he was chosen to serve as a student leader and dorm prefect, helping do everything from ensuring that younger students do their crew jobs to providing leadership at student orientation. It is no easy task for a student to be in charge of ensuring that his peers live up to their school responsibilities, but Ifu took on that leadership role with grace and good humor. All of that said, anyone who knows Ifu knows that his first love is music, and in that area he is simply brilliant. He emerged as a stand-out performer at various school musical events, and he took it upon himself to learn guitar and piano, while immersing himself in music theory and music making. But even more impressive was the way he has shared that talent with others, helping younger, less-experienced musicians learn, practice and perform after school and on weekends. Those actions say a lot about this young man – he is kind, has a big heart, and contributes positively to his community, wherever he finds it. He will continue his pursuit of music next year at UC Riverside.
BEN MANNING — Stanford University
He’s been a big man on campus. School President. American Legion and California Boys State delegate. Captain of cross country and soccer teams. Leader of the initiative to revive the volleyball squad. But while that is one way of telling Ben’s OVS story, our Head of Campus told a lesser-known version during graduation, sharing how Ben traveled to Vermont last summer to help deliver school supplies to flood victims in the state where he was raised. Ben cares deeply about his world and all that is in it. He has led environmental initiatives that range from helping with the campus gardening club to volunteering with the Green Valley Project and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, and he is willing to get his hands dirty by putting in hard hours of trail maintenance and restoration work. It’s one reason he was awarded the JB Close Award, which recognizes the outstanding outdoorsman. Ben’s love of the outdoors was never more evident than when in back-to-back summers he planned and executed long, exhausting, life-affirming treks along the John Muir Trail and the Appalachian Trail – testaments to his tenacity and character. In the end, it’s the size of Ben’s heart that made the most lasting impression on his community on the hill and beyond, and now he is off to Stanford University to forge new trails.
YOUSEF MASOUD — UC Merced
He only spent one year with us, arriving as one of four new seniors, but Yousef quickly got busy demonstrating his focused and steady character. He flourished in his classes, which included tough college-level courses in Physics and Statistics. He also jumped into activities outside of the classroom, joining our flag football team and our soccer team, where he proved to be a fearless goalie on the pitch, flinging himself into harm’s way to prevent scores. But it was in our robotics program where he truly set himself apart, building and engineering and driving his team’s robot during competitive matches against schools from throughout Southern California. Yousef is a leader, he is confident and he is a team player, and it was fantastic to see him at the helm of this important school activity. Now, we will forgive him for, in his Senior Capstone project, comparing going to school like going to prison. However, his point in doing so was an elegant one: he told us he had never been at a school where he felt so at home, where he was so engaged, where his teachers cared so much. Thank you for those words Yousef, and we hope you find the same next year at UC Merced.
CHARLIE MCGREGOR — Santa Monica College
As is true with so many of this year’s graduates, Charlie’s journey is inspirational. If you sat and listened to his Senior Capstone, you would have heard just how far this young man has come, and you would be inspired. In many ways, he is one of our most-improved players, a student who has matured and learned how to learn, and that has been particularly impressive to witness. Charlie was a boarding student at OVS in his high school years, and he made this campus his second home – not an easy task for anyone, much less a teenager required to adjust to a life of independent living. Charlie made the most of his time at OVS, engaging in the wide range of opportunities offered in outdoor education, resident life, athletics, and college preparatory academics. Was he a warrior on the flag football team? No doubt! Was he a valuable contributor to the Video Production crew? His teacher will tell you that his talent matched his work ethic. Does he have a secret or two the general public knows nothing about? Just ask him about Lil Charles, his rap alter ego. It is clear that OVS has helped him with his journey, one that will continue next year at Santa Monica College.
TRISTAN PHELPS — Menlo College
From the time he started at OVS in middle school, Tristan has a unique ability to persuade. And at no time was that more evident than during his junior year when he tapped his business acumen to almost single-handedly secure a $4,000 grant to support the school’s robotics program. Tristan learned of money available from the Gene Haas Foundation, completed a grant application, and earned much-needed funding to help fuel a program he has helped anchor every year of his high school career. In addition to his fundraising, Tristan oversaw social media, advertising and outreach for robotics, all which are important aspects that allowed the program to compete at higher levels in regional robotics events. Tristan has shown his dexterity as a student in other disciplines including Computer Science and Business Math, where his teacher lauded his enthusiasm for various projects including a Stock Market Simulator, which is a favorite among students. He worked in the school garden, was a faithful course director during cross country season, and he dazzled us with his knowledge of all things history. There is no doubt that he will bring his strengths as a bright and perceptive student to all that he does at his next stop at Menlo College.
ELIZABETH RAMSAY — New York University
Elizabeth was a powerhouse in so many ways in her years at the Upper Campus. She set a high academic bar in the classroom, and emerged over the years as a dedicated athlete, a standout stage performer and a committed service worker. But perhaps most importantly, Elizabeth embedded herself into the fabric of life at her high school campus, elected by her peers in multiple years to serve on Student Council, and selected by the faculty to serve in the school’s leadership program and to take the reins as publications editor of the student newspaper. Smart, thoughtful and talented, Elizabeth was one our most dynamic contributors, doing what we ask of all students by plugging into multiple areas of our program. She was a three-sport varsity athlete, and a volunteer for causes big and small, including a stint as communications intern for the Green Valley Project, which works to repair damaged ecosystems throughout the Ojai Valley. She was a regular in the school’s Garage Band, sitting behind the piano and powering out impressive pieces of music, some of which she learned in a matter of days to support her bandmates. The fact is, there is little at which Elizabeth did not excel, and in doing so OVS was the better for it.
WILLIAM RAMSAY — Colorado School of Mines
By every standard, William was an exceptional student and citizen at OVS. He is an independently motivated young man who possesses a keen intelligence and a thirst for knowledge. William not only made the most of our rigorous college prep curriculum – taking eight honors and Advanced Placement courses – he supplemented and extended his studies with college courses in engineering. Simply put, William loves to learn, and he is deeply curious about the subjects he loves. It is no mistake that he was chosen by the faculty to receive the A. Carl Kotchian Award as the school’s most outstanding scholar. William’s resume will tell you he is a Boys State nominee and winner of multiple school awards in subjects as diverse as biology, Spanish and computer science. It also will tell you that he is the two-time winner of the coveted JB Close Award, which recognizes the outstanding outdoorsman. But what his resume really can’t tell or show is the depth of his character, whether it be serving as captain of the cross country team or volunteering as a ham radio operator to manage the medical network for various long distance running events. Ingenuity, determination and care for community are all qualities that have earned William the respect of his peers and teachers.
ELI ROSTON — Orange Coast College
Eli is the Omega League cross country champion, and while that says something about his accomplishments, it doesn’t speak to his character or the value of his high school exploration. Since arriving freshman year from the Lower Campus, Eli steadily found his stride as a student and a contributor. He was elected by his peers to serve this year as Student Council’s Weekend Representative, and he worked hard in the classroom. Sometimes, this did not come easily. But there is no quit in Eli. This was evident in the commitment he made to a sport he just recently discovered. Eli is this year’s league champion partly because he is blessed with a natural talent that not even he knew existed until midway through his junior year. But he is also league champion because he learned how to dig deep, how to tap an internal reservoir that resulted in one of the most remarkable sprint finishes we have ever seen and that now serves as his newfound superpower – not just for running, but for how he lives his life. At graduation, he was presented with the Robert G. Cooper Award, which is given to the senior who demonstrated the most growth in his or her final year. That was Eli. Next year, he is off to run and learn at Orange Coast College.
SULLIVAN ROTHWELL — UC Davis
If we were building the model OVS student, we might start with a clone of Sully as a foundation. He was a leader and a doer in so many capacities, taking key roles in the school’s Garage Band, leadership program and sports teams. He was selected by the faculty to represent OVS in the Pepperdine Youth Leadership Seminar and in Boys State, a program aimed at fostering civic responsibility in its participants. He was a standout on our outdoor education excursions, so much so that faculty often said that whenever Sully was on a trip it was like having an extra supervisor available. Sully’s drive and commitment is perhaps best characterized by his coaches’ decision to name him captain of the basketball, baseball, and flag football teams. He has excelled in many of those sports, having been named an all league selection in basketball and baseball. But when we think of Sully, the image is often behind a drum kit, his hat turned with its bill pointing backward, providing the beat – the heart beat – for the school’s band. It seems even there he somehow took charge to make sure that his bandmates all arrived at the same place together. He’s off to find his rhythm in a new place, studying computational physics at UC Davis.
SOREN SAYE — Rutgers University
What a journey this young man has had. Soren is a deep thinker and a gifted conversationalist, a young man full of spirit and opinions. Just sit with him in a classroom or at a lunch table and listen to him discuss subjects that most interest him – chess, surfing, college applications – and you will quickly come to understand he is a person of depth and ideals. He chose to challenge himself as a student, taking a full-load of Advanced Placement classes in everything from AP Biology to AP Seminar, and in the end his academic record bears out what we all want to see: a student on the rise. He also proved his strength of character outside of the classroom, volunteering to work a water table at our local marathon, reading to younger students at our Lower Campus, and planting milkweed on our Upper Campus as part of a project to sustain the monarch butterfly population. He manifested internal toughness throughout high school, whether it was trekking the challenging trails of Patagonia or gutting it out as a member of the cross country team, where he served as captain senior year. In so many ways, Soren plugged into all we offer, and he has been the better for it.
DONAHI SORIANO — Leeds Conservatoire
No one in the senior class attended OVS longer than Donahi. She has been charting her path here since the age of three, and has done that especially well at the Upper Campus, where she served as captain of the basketball and volleyball teams, tackled a range of Advanced Placement courses and served as a student leader in a variety of positions, including this year as the Student Council’s Diversity and Inclusion representative. One of her proudest moments came when she joined with a fellow senior to launch the school’s first affinity group, bringing together a range of multicultural interests and perspectives. While those are all areas in which Donahi has flourished, anyone who knows her knows that her first love is music, and it is in this capacity that she has set herself apart. She is the heart and soul of the OVS Garage Band, and she has taken star turns in school musicals and talent shows. Her main instrument is her voice, which is both electric and ethereal. On the night before graduation, she gave a tour de force performance in the amphitheater that demonstrated the depth of her talent. The music gene runs deep in her blood, and we have been blessed by that gift. She will continue that pursuit at Leeds Conservatoire in England.
NICHOLAS SWEENEY — Chapman University
He is the face and the voice of OVS TV, a Video Production All-Star whose dedication to filming and editing will be missed next year. Since arriving as a sophomore, Nicky has steadily found his stride as a student and contributor to our community. Quiet, funny and sincere, he worked hard in many of his classes, and he took good advantage of co- and extracurricular activities outside the classroom, plugging into the many offerings at our school and demonstrating substantial growth in many areas. He’s a mighty force on the basketball court and was a top athlete on our varsity golf team, helping that squad to secure a league championship in his sophomore year. Best of all, Nicky emerged as a quiet leader, helping his younger, less experienced peers find the same wonder and joy he did in so many aspects of his OVS experience, especially in Video Production, where he helped provide a fun, quirky look at our high school and its students on the hill. Nicky served as the first host of OVS TV, writing copy to introduce videos from behind an anchor desk in front of a green screen. It was a breakthrough for the Upper Campus, and Nicky played the biggest part in making it happen.
MARIANA THACHER — Scripps College
Strong, ethical and socially conscious, she is a fiercely independent young woman who won’t tell you what she does well, but rather will let her talents and contributions speak for themselves. Her teachers praise her ability to work hard to pursue understanding and express herself confidently in class and through her work. Academically, she won numerous school awards as the top student in Marine Science, AP Spanish and Ceramics. In athletics, she earned key varsity spots on the basketball and track teams, infusing grit and good humor into practices and games. She was selected by the faculty to take part in the Pepperdine Youth Citizenship Seminar and in Boys and Girls State, a group dedicated to fostering student citizenship and contribution. Perhaps most importantly is that Mariana continued her involvement in and advocacy on behalf of those social causes that have become central to who she is at the core. Together with a fellow senior, Mariana launched the first-ever multicultural affinity group at the OVS campus, a demonstration of both her interest and her powers of persuasion as she worked to convince the administration to green light that worthy endeavor. Her peers clearly understand that aspect of Mariana’s leadership, electing her to serve as Senior Class Representative, where her advocacy was apparent all year long.
ADELYNN TODD — Sonoma State University
If there is a student who loves animals more, we have not met him or her. Addie is all about her four-legged friends, and her future education and career will no doubt center around working with animals. It has been a throughline in a lot of what she has done so far in her life. She is an exceptional equestrian and has been a volunteer instructor for nonprofit groups that teach the value of horseback riding to special-needs and low-income riders. Additionally, her Senior Capstone project focused on building bonds with and training one of the OVS horses struggling with behavioral issues. Away from the arena, here is what we have come to know about Addie: She is a voracious reader. She has the power to sit for hours at a time devouring a book (she is a fan of fantasy novels and of course any book on animals). She is an exceptional artist, putting her talents toward the handcrafting that is central to woodworking and ceramics. And we will long remember how she got out of her comfort zone and unleashed her voice for Garage Band performances that were so fun to watch because Addie was having so much fun.
ALLYANNA WESTCOTT — Lipscomb University
An award-winning artist and a scholar of distinction, a student leader and volleyball libero, a 1,600-meter track specialist and a stage performer. Allyanna is a leader and a doer in so many capacities, helping to publish the school yearbook, producing the student newspaper, and powering various service projects, including launching a fundraiser that raised nearly $2,000 to battle pediatric cancer. Allyanna’s resume is a testament to her investment in the school community, but it’s also evidence of the curiosity and commitment she infuses into so many of the things she does. She has won a slew of academic awards in her years at OVS, and to start her senior year the College Board named her an AP Scholar with Distinction, joining a list of our best and brightest for her performance on those exams. While all of these achievements are important, a peek into the art room will reveal Allyanna at her absolute best. A thoughtful and talented artist, Allyanna’s worldview has taken shape through her various projects, which this year included one through drawing and painting that celebrated human differences and vulnerabilities. We aren’t sure from where she derives her ideas and inspiration, but we are confident that Lipscomb University will benefit from all that talent and energy when she arrives in Tennessee.
Aiden University of Cincinnati
Matt The Ohio State University
Donahi Leeds Conservatoire Leeds, England
Charles Northeastern University
Dylan Pratt Institute
Elsa Emmanuel College Soren Rutgers University
Liz New York University
Vlada Parsons School of Design
Bohdan Washington & Lee University
Allyanna Lipscomb University
Annie University of Florida
College Acceptances for the Class of 2024
Matriculations noted in bold
American University (2)
American University of Paris
Arizona State University (2)
Beloit College
Boston University
Cal Poly Humboldt (5)
Cal State University, Bakersfield (2)
Cal State University, Channel Islands
Cal State University, Chico
Cal State University, Fresno
Cal State University, Monterey Bay
Cal Poly Pomona (5)
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2)
Cal State University, San Diego
Cal State University, San Francisco
Cal State University, Sonoma
UC Berkeley
UC Davis (5) (2 Commits)
UC Irvine (3)
UCLA
UC Merced
UC Riverside (2)
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz (6) (2 Commits)
Case Western Reserve University
Chapman University (3)
Clark University
Clemson University
University of Cincinnati
Colorado State University (2)
CU Boulder (4)
Colorado School of Mines
University of Northern Colorado
Denison University
University of Denver (2)
Drake University
Drexel University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2)
Emerson College (2)
Emmanuel College
University of Florida
Florida Southern College
University of Hawaii
Hanover College
Harding University
Hawaii Pacific University
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Illinois Institute of Technology
Indiana University
Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
University of Iowa
University of Indiana (2)
Kenyon College
Leeds Conservatoire
Lewis and Clark College (2)
Lipscomb University
Loyola Marymount University (2)
Manhattan College
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Boston
University of Miami
Michigan State University
Menlo College
Middlebury College
New York University
The New School
New York Institute of Technology
University of North Dakota
Northeastern University (2)
Northwestern University
Occidental College (2)
University of Oregon (3)
Otis College of Art and Design
Ohio State University (2)
Ohio Wesleyan University
Pace University
University of the Pacific
Parsons School of Design (2)
Penn State University
University of Pittsburgh
Pitzer College (2)
Pratt Institute
University of Puget Sound
Purdue University (2)
University of Redlands
University of Rochester
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rollins College
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
Saint Mary’s College of California
Salve Regina University
Santa Clara University
University of San Francisco (2)
Sarah Lawrence College
School of Visual Arts
Scripps College (2)
Seattle University
Stanford University (2) (2 Commits)
SUNY University at Buffalo
Syracuse University (3)
Texas A&M University
Vassar College
University of Washington
Washington & Lee University
Wheaton College
University of Utah
College of William and Mary
Donahi: About an hour ago, we walked onto this stage, some hearts full of anticipation and angst, some, purely full with excitement. But it is now time to say our farewell.
Farewell Message
By Donahi Soriano and Karin Hasegawa Hahn
Karin: It’s a bittersweet moment for us. While on regular school days I fly up Reeves Road to school, in hopes of claiming a good parking spot or making it in time for first-period Law, today driving up to Graduation I drove a little slower because I knew what awaited when I got here. I knew that the last word of this speech would signal an end to high school and a transition to a new stage of life, with new people, and new experiences.
Donahi: We knew going into writing this speech that it would not be easy. Though we’ve written countless essays and rewritten countless reading journals throughout high school, when we sat down to write this speech our minds drew blank. How do you say farewell to the faces you see every day in the hall? How do you convey a lifetime’s worth of memories into one final four minute speech? The truth, as we figured out, is that you can’t.
Karin: For the both of us, OVS is really all we have ever known. When you spend your whole life, especially in such a small tight-knit community, it becomes hard to differentiate certain moments of your experience, as it all blends into one.
Donahi: I just know that somewhere along the way, between Pre-K and now, I befriended a girl with red rectangular glasses and a questionable bowl cut.
Karin: And I, as a nervous new third grader, befriended the spirited girl with long black braids, who would make a terrifying face and chase me around the play structure.
Donahi: Along the way, the two same girls faced the Thomas Fire, survived COVID, conquered Mrs. Wilson’s 11th grade English class, and, eventually, got rid of those long black braids and bowl cut. (Thank God.)
Karin: And now, those two same girls are here, saying goodbye to their final year, to their teachers, to their class.
Both: Together.
Donahi: Even though we are up here, being celebrated as individuals, none of us could have done it alone. Our teachers, who pushed us to reach our potential, even when we fought back, our parents, who supported us time and time again, never failing to document our successes with galleries of awkward photos, and our friends, who sang, cried, laughed, and even broke rules with us, without question helped us grow into the 30 individuals you see before you today. And to them, we owe a big thank you.
Karin: Individually, each of us has left a mark on OVS, whether in sports, music, leadership roles, or others. However, we realized that our truest strength lies when we are compiled together. We are a single unit. We are the class of 2024.
Donahi: And we’ve made it.
Upper Campus Awards
WALLACE BURR AWARD
Oluwateniola Aderibigbe
Established to recognize the student, or students, who have made a significant impact on the OVS community by giving unsolicited service.
ROBERT G. COOPER AWARD
Eli Roston
Honors the senior who has demonstrated the most growth during his or her senior year.
A. CARL KOTCHIAN AWARD
William Ramsay
Awarded to the most outstanding scholar, not only for academic achievement but also for this student’s level of effort and intellectual curiosity.
ANDREW KILLE AWARD
Karin Hasegawa Hahn
Given to the senior who has demonstrated himself or herself to be a leader with a strong
sense of community; one who has been consistently hard working, helpful, friendly, and who has exhibited a good sense of humor.
DOROTHY BURR LITERARY AWARD
Kate Huey
Recognizes the student for outstanding writing based on the submission of written work.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Sullivan Rothwell & Karin Hasegawa Hahn
Given to the athletes who have most demonstrated integrity, leadership, and, above all, good sportsmanship.
JB CLOSE AWARD
William Ramsay & Benjamin Manning
Recognizes the student, or students, who have exhibited the most enthusiasm and active participation in the outdoor program.
CARL S. COOPER AWARD
Oluwateniola Aderibigbe & Talullah Bell
Recognizes the underclass student, or students, for their leadership and character. It is an award that neither dwells in the past nor predicts the future. It honors the individuals for who they are, here and now.
MICHAEL J. HALL-MOUNSEY AWARD
Talullah Bell & Vincent Bell
Honors the boarding students who have consistently served as outstanding role models for their peers and who have demonstrated initiative, leadership, and responsibility.
SANDY BALLOU MEMORIAL AWARD
Chaemin Lee
Recognizes the student who demonstrates good horsemanship, sportsmanship, and the belief that competition is not as important as the simple joy of being with a horse.
Kate Huey, Dorothy Burr Literary Award
Talullah Bell and Oluwateniola Aderibigbe, Carl S. Cooper Award
Talullah Bell and Vincent Bell, Michael J. Hall-Mounsey Award
William Ramsay & Benjamin Manning, JB Close Award
Lower Campus Awards
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Archer Moller
The highest honor we can give an eighth-grade student. Its purpose is to commend the student who, with his or her actions and attitude, contributed to the school community in a sensitive and constructive manner in all phases of school life.
HEAD OF SCHOOL’S AWARD
Ramon Covarrubias
Given for the significant contributions an eighth grader has made during his or her years at Lower Campus.
MICHAEL J. HALL-MOUNSEY AWARD
Esther Lee & Emily Williams
Honors the boarding student, or students, who have consistently served as outstanding role models for their peers and who have demonstrated initiative, leadership, and responsibility.
JB CLOSE AWARD
Nell Lieb & Liam Sears
Given each year to the student, or students, who best exemplify the goals of the Outdoor Education program by their consistent contributions to camping, backpacking, and rock climbing trips, love and respect for nature, and commitment to helping others in the face of adversity.
MICHAEL D. HERMES AWARD
Archer Moller & Sadie Stoen
Given to the most outstanding eighth-grade student athletes.
PAUL PITTMAN AWARD
Mia Linsmeier
Recognizes the student, or students, who have exhibited the most enthusiasm and active participation in the equestrian program.
Mia Linsmeier, Paul Pittman Award
Archer Moller, Sportsmanship Award
Emily Williams and Esther Lee, Michael J. Hall-Mounsey Award
Ramon Covarrubias, Head of School’s Award
Liam Sears and Nell Lieb, JB Close Award
Goodbye, Gil
By Frances English (L20, U24)
Picture this: it’s 7 a.m., you’ve just gotten out of bed, and you’ve been rushed out the door by your parents so you don’t miss the bus for another day of school. You’re tired, grumpy, and probably a bit annoyed. But when those glass doors slide open, a genuine smile meets your eyes, and in that moment, you know it’s going to be a good day.
That warm energy and enduring smile belongs to longtime Ojai Valley School bus driver Gil Saucedo.
Whether you’ve been at OVS since nearly birth or just started, everyone knows who Gil is, and rest assured, he knows you. He was the man at the wheel of the yellow bus that made the long morning trek to Ventura and climbed the steep hill every morning to the Upper Campus. But really, he was so much more.
To scores of students, he was a friend and confidant, a camper and coach and cheerleader. He asked about the outcomes of sports contests and sympathized with his young riders about late hours and illnesses and homework loads.
But after 18 years of service, and driving literally hundreds of students of all ages, his time at OVS has come to an end. However, his legacy will last well into the future.
His OVS story started in 2006 when his son, Kolby (L10, U14), was just a Tater Tot at Lower Campus. Wanting to be closer to his son, he got his bus license so he could work as a bus driver when he had time off from his other job. Years later, he would become a central part of the OVS community.
“He’s sort of like a friend to everyone,” said just-graduated senior Karin Hahn (L20, U24). “He’s always checking in on you, asking you about camping trips, sports and now colleges.”
Although his primary source of OVS involvement was through transportation, Mr. Saucedo, or Gil as he was known to his riders, made a point to ask students about everything. He was the first to ask about upcoming games, scores, and camping trips.
Getting so close to students was one of Gil’s favorite parts of his OVS experience. “That’s been special,” he said, “seeing them grow up from little guys to graduation.”
Although most students know him from his bus rides, he also has memories from camping trips. “Camping with the kids was awesome,” Gil said. “Kern, Kings Canyon, you name it, we used to go with them.”
Upper Campus photography teacher Ryan Bowden said he made it a point on bus rides to sit up front so he could talk to Gil. “He remembers everyone’s name, which is so impressive,” Mr. Bowden said. “And he makes riding the bus so enjoyable, whether it’s daily
trips in the mornings or afternoons or on field trips.”
Gil showed his support through not only his words but his contagious attitude. No matter when, where or how you might have seen him, Gil always had a smile on his face, and his high spirits had an undeniable effect on the well-being of others.
“His energy is just so contagious,” Karin said, “and I’ll miss starting the day off by seeing Gil riding the bus with classic rock blasting.”
Although Gil will undeniably be missed, he is onto great things. “My plan for the future is to become a grandpa,” said Gil. He is off to the Washington area where his son, a firefighter paramedic for Pierce County, lives.
“I am looking forward to that and just quality time,” he said.
He may not physically be on campus anymore, but his presence on OVS soil will last the test of time because he was an unforgettable part of so many people’s lives. He will be seen in the eyes of past students and teachers through bright yellow buses and muffled rock music, but more than that, he will be seen through fond memories and the good feelings he gave people. For that, all who have the privilege of knowing him are grateful.
“I know it’s hard to get up in the morning, go to school, and it’s drudgery sometimes,” Gil said of the work he did. “But we all have to wake up and do the same thing, go to work, so why not make it fun?”
Doug Colborn, longtime teacher and coach, is retiring this summer after 26 years at OVS. Mr. Colborn started in 1996 and has taught middle and high school math. He also served as the Upper Campus Athletic Director and baseball coach, leading OVS to several league championships. Last year, Mr. Colborn added woodshop to his teaching duties at the Upper Campus, launching a new course offering that allowed high school students to explore a discipline that had previously only been available to students at the Lower Campus. Alumni said Mr. Colborn cared deeply about the subjects and students he taught, and stayed in touch long after they graduated. “Thank you for teaching me valuable lessons in the classroom and on the baseball field,” alumnus Max Wheeler (L06, U10) said. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home at all hours. Who would have thought I’d still have you as an advisor all these years later. I look forward to joining you on one of your many fishing excursions.” Mr. Colborn is looking forward to spending more time fishing, woodworking, traveling, and being with his family, including his wife, Laurel, daughter Avery (L16, U20), son Nolan (L15, U19), son Parker (L05, U09), daughter-in-law Kayla, and grandson Beckett.
Tami Scott is retiring after 36 years at OVS.
Ms. Scott served as a dorm parent at the Lower Campus from 1987 to 2014, and as a resident counselor at the Upper Campus from 2015 until her retirement this summer. For countless boarding students, Ms. Scott provided nurturing guidance and a sense of family. “She taught me tangible lessons, like how the second bite of a banana is the most delicious, how to look at the sky from time to time, and how to eat a pancake,” said alumna Lauren Park (L07, U11), who started at OVS in fifth grade and now lives in New York. “Through her lens, I also learned to pick my happy color, ride the ups and downs in life as if I’m on her golf cart, and, of all, be empathetic, disciplined, resilient, and authentic. These qualities and values I still uphold are brought by her support and advice. She is the unfaltering light beyond the dorms in Ojai and to my life in NYC today.”
Eleanora Burright and husband Chuck Burright headed to Maui for snorkeling and NYC to see their daughter, Gianna (L06), perform off Broadway as a choreographer and dancer. Now retired, the Burrights were blessed with their first grandson, Landon Matthew Lewis, who was born to daughter Bianca (L05), and son-in-law James last February. “Our next adventure was becoming a daycare for our grandson and what a joy it has been,” Mrs. Burright said: “We have a granddaughter joining us this month: Capri Lynora Lewis!” The Burrights are looking forward to a food-and-wine tour of Tuscany in spring 2025.
Gary Dinkins, former history and French teacher, is painting watercolor landscapes — a passion he has enjoyed for the past 45 years — while continuing to learn Chinese. He writes: “Loved teaching/coaching all those years at OVS. Love retirement. Still running a few miles. More like a brisk walk these days. It’s all good!”
Steve Bartlett, former woodshop teacher at Lower Campus, is enjoying living on 10 acres in rural Kern County where he feels environmentally connected to the land. He has been focused on solar cooking and building with repurposed materials — projects he taught students in our fall and summer programs!
Gary Gartrell, former Head of Lower Campus, is enjoying retirement, but still finds his way back to campus to lend a hand as a substitute teacher. Mr. Gartrell recently restored the historic Yeomans’ Bench, originally built by school founder Edward Yeomans, that has stood on the front porch of Frost Hall for the past century. It took him three months to complete the restoration. Mr. Gartrell’s father was a woodshop teacher and he particularly enjoys stepping into the Founders’ Woodshop at Lower Campus to teach classes when needed.
Change is a hard thing to deal with, whether you’re moving across the country or simply changing your routine. Luckily, we have each other to help us through whatever challenges we may face.
— Eugene Fisher
In early May, we celebrated the 28th annual Pons Dinner at the Lower Campus. From the Latin for bridge, Pons is a time to recognize the soon-to-be-graduating 8th graders and the Lower Campus alumni who are still in high school.
More than 80 students and faculty gathered for the dinner, which included remarks from student leaders and alumni guest speaker Eugene Fisher (L19, U23). Now a student at New York University, Eugene encouraged students in attendance to be open-minded and adaptable to change as they head to high school and college. He also emphasized the importance of staying connected to each other.
“Change is a hard thing to deal with, whether you’re moving across the country or simply changing your routine,” Eugene said. “Luckily, we have each other to help us through whatever challenges we may face. The OVS community is truly one that you will always be a part of. My friends that I met here at summer camp before I was in third grade are the same ones I’m calling to talk about the crazy thing I just saw on the subway.”
Senior Ben Manning (L20, U24) spoke just 17 days before graduating from the Upper Campus and offered his best wishes to those making the journey to the next chapter of their lives, including seeking adventure, embracing failure, and finding community.
“I hope you find a balance in your life,” he said, “that lets you still go out, laugh, meet people, and get into a little bit of trouble.”
Senior to Alumni: The Next Bridge
For the past decade, our seniors have gathered for the Senior-to-Alumni Dinner at Boccali’s restaurant in the days before their graduation ceremony.
Originally, the Senior-toAlumni Dinner was held under the pergola by the pool at Upper Campus. It moved to Boccali’s in 2014, which is also when the school started a new tradition of inviting a young alum to serve as a guest speaker to share words of advice about the transition from high school to college.
This year, Max Wu (U19), a recent UCLA graduate, spoke
to the Class of 2024 and urged the seniors to step outside their comfort zones to meet new friends in college while holding onto the friendships formed at OVS.
“Without a doubt,” Max said, “some of my closest friends today are those I met here at OVS, and I’m pretty sure that will be the same case for you. The bonds we form here are very special and will last a lifetime. They will be there to help you push through the ups and downs. So, cherish these friendships, nurture them, and carry them with you as you move on to the next chapter of your life.”
Without a doubt, some of my closest friends today are those I met here at OVS, and I’m pretty sure that will be the same case for you.
— Max Wu
Alumni Weekend
Thank you to everyone who attended our 2024 Alumni Weekend at Upper Campus! Our alumni in attendance were able to reconnect with old friends, reminisce about shared experiences, and forge new connections. We enjoyed local hikes, great conversations, and delicious meals prepared by our wonderful OVS Food Services staff!
Looking ahead, we are working on plans for a very special reunion event next summer for the Class of 1965, which will be celebrating its 60th grad year, as well as classes celebrating their 10th, 25th and 50th reunion years! Please reach out to the Alumni Office at alumni@ovs.org if you are interested in getting involved.
Kirk Warren (L62, U65), Daphne Cates (L62), and Spencer Garrett (L62, U65 ) and are looking forward to their reunion on June 6-9, 2025! They are encouraging members of their Lower class – and the first graduating class at the Upper Campus – to make the trip to Ojai for this very special reunion event! Contact Kirk at krkwarren@ gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved.
Marc Kaplan (L00) ran into Outdoor Education Coordinator Matt Inman recently while working as a mate with Island Packers Cruises, the boat concessionaire for Channel Islands National Park. Marc is pursuing a commercial captain's license and has decided to dedicate his life to experiences on the ocean and Channel Islands. He credits OVS for setting him on this fulfilling path in nature!
Angela Lee (U07) sent an email in May stating, “I just wanted to share that I defended my thesis today for my Executive MBA with Peking University and Kellogg (Northwestern) and I will be graduating at the end of June! I will share photos of the ceremony! I also am curious, is Mr. Weidlich still at OVS? If he is, please tell him that I am still reading and making comments like he taught us in 10th grade English class, and it reminds me of this quote: ‘A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops’ - Henry Adams.”
Carolita Landers (U14) Graduated with her Master of Science degree in Soil and Crop Sciences from Colorado State University. Her thesis focused on soil carbon in dryland farming systems.
Cole McIntosh (L10, U14) and Ali Fortier (Weller) McIntosh (L11, U15) welcomed a new baby, Raegan
Leah McIntosh, who was born on June 5, 2024. Raegan has two older sisters, Katelyn Elizabeth McIntosh, age 5, and Harper McIntosh, age 2. Ali and Cole attended Alumni Weekend just days after Raegan arrived. They love spending time outdoors with their three girls and their three horses at the family ranch near Los Olivos.
Brendan Goldberg (U16) graduated from Columbia Law School in May. He was offered a job at a New York law firm where he previously worked as a summer intern and is currently studying for the bar exam. Brendan’s road to Columbia after OVS started at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, for his freshman year. He transferred to USC, where he graduated summa cum laude in Law, History and Culture with a minor in Music and a minor in Jewish Studies.
Nolan Colborn (L15, U19) graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration. Nolan’s parents, Doug and Laurel, and siblings Avery (L16, U20) and Parker (L05, U09) (pictured) were there to celebrate at Nolan’s commencement ceremony. Nolan is already working in his field – enjoying a new job working in the tourism industry on the Central Coast.
Max Wu (U19) returned to Ojai in May to serve as the guest speaker for the annual Senior-to-Alumni Dinner at Boccali’s restaurant. Max, a recent UCLA grad who is headed to grad school in the fall at the University of Pennsylvania, urged the seniors to step outside their comfort zones to meet new friends in college while holding onto the friendships formed at OVS. “Without a doubt,” Max said, “some of my closest friends today are those I met here at OVS, and I’m pretty sure that will be the same case for you. The bonds we form here are very
special and will last a lifetime. They will be there to help you push through the ups and downs. So, cherish these friendships, nurture them, and carry them with you as you move on to the next chapter of your life.”
Tyler Davis (L16, U20) graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. In coming months, he will be working for his family’s ranch in Ojai helping with the financial matters.
Carter Hsu (U20) graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Math and Economics. He took a trip to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon national parks with college friends to celebrate their graduation – following in the footsteps of his favorite Outdoor Education trip. Carter wrote: “I’m bringing my friends to places I have been with the OVS Honors Trio; a lot of reminiscing these days!” Carter will return to Taiwan in late August for military service and is considering a Master’s in Economics and Data Sciences.
Joshua Hsu (U20) graduated from Michigan State
IN MEMORIAM
University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Joshua is now looking for a full time job in either Chicago or New York City in the fields of business development or account management. During this past year he started a small marketing agency startup that provides marketing services tailored towards early stage startups.
Stephany Nostrant (L16, U20) graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Babson College in Boston. She hopes to be working in tech next fall in New York City.
Angela Qu (U20) graduated from Boston College with two degrees: a Bachelor’s in Math and another in Computer Science. In the fall, she will head to Carnegie Mellon University to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science.
Aaron Wolf (L16, U20) earned a Bachelor of Science degree this spring in Environmental Science from UCLA. He will be starting a Master’s degree in Energy Policy & Climate at Johns Hopkins in the fall.
What have you been up to lately? Whether it’s college graduation, a new job, marriage, kids, a bucket list vacation, a move, a meet-up with fellow alumni, or any other life event, let us know! Email alumni@ovs.org to be featured in the next edition of Family Tree.
Nancy Graves (U68) passed away at her home in Palm Desert on September 9, 2023. She was 73. Nancy’s family members said her time at OVS was foremost among her lifetime of treasured memories, with both her friends and teachers making her time very special. After OVS, Nancy graduated from Colorado Women’s College with a degree in Sociology. She moved to San Diego and opened a very successful plant business, a skill she learned from her mother, a Montana country girl. She supplied and cared for plants in major hospitals and businesses in the San Diego area. She was well known as the “Plant Lady.” Nancy also gave private tennis lessons. When her mother
required care, she moved to Palm Desert, and after she passed away Nancy continued taking care of several elderly friends and her beloved twin Siamese cats. A master of barbecue, she was a meticulous gourmet chef. Her parties were always fun and fabulous, and might include an evening at her favorite Japanese restaurant for sushi or a game of cards. Occasionally she would take a trip to Vegas to try her legendary luck at roulette. Nancy was a huge sports fan, especially tennis. She loved traveling and visited friends and family in Colorado, Hawaii and Florida. She is greatly missed by the many friends that she helped and kept entertained.
Nancy Graves (U68)
Please join us for one of our upcoming Alumni Events, or if you happen to be in the Ojai area, please stop by!
OCTOBER 6, 2024
San Francisco, CA - Regional Alumni Gathering
NOVEMBER 16, 2024
Ojai CA, - Spud Classic Golf Tournament at Soule Park Golf Course
DECEMBER 23, 2024
Ojai, CA - Festivus Holiday Alumni Gathering
MARCH 29, 2025
Orange County, CA - Regional Alumni Gathering
MAY 3, 2025
Ojai, CA - Gala and Auction at OVS Lower Campus
In addition to these gatherings, OVS will be on the road meeting prospective students and families in Mexico City, Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul, and Lagos, as well as Aspen, Seattle, San Francisco, and Huntington Beach. Please reach out to the Alumni Office at alumni@ovs.org for more information or if you know a family interested in learning more about OVS!
Memories from the early days at Lower Campus
In September 1947, I was nine years old when my mom drove me to Ojai from Los Angeles in her old Studebaker convertible. Back then, Ojai was almost completely rural. There were very few buildings and there was thick, heavy vegetation, especially orange groves. I was scared stiff as we approached the schoolhouse on El Paseo Road because I knew that I was being driven to a boarding school. I would be away from home for the first time in my life. We drove through Ojai, where I saw the arcade structure and the Post Office tower that still stands today. As we parked, I was trembling with apprehension.
We were greeted by Wallace (Wally) Burr, then school headmaster, and his wife Dorothy. Mr. Burr initially appeared to be very formal and stern, but after a few weeks I noticed that he had a warm, subtle sense of humor. Mrs. Burr had a very reserved and formal demeanor but later, in her English class, proved to be warm and witty. I learned a lot in her class. Mrs. Margaret Kille also taught English, and although I didn’t need remedial work I benefited greatly from her class. She, the Burrs, and my shop teacher were my favorite OVS teachers and mentors.
At that time, the girls’ dorm was upstairs in the main building above the kitchen and dining room that still stand today on the Lower Campus. Of course, there was no Upper Campus back then. The outer girls’ dorm was a large room full of bunk beds. There were also a few smaller semi private rooms adjacent to the main dorm room with twin beds. Rotation between rooms was based on a merit system. Girls who demonstrated good behavior were promoted to semi private rooms.
My roommate was Boni Roman (later Paschal). Both of us were very careful to stick to the rules. One rule was that we all had to make our bed every morning to perfection with the sheets tucked in “hospital corners.” Our housemother, the dorm supervisor, inspected our beds daily and would not allow us to go downstairs to breakfast unless our beds were perfect. The housemother was very strict. Of course, there were no cellphones in those days. There was only a wall rotary phone which we were permitted to use only to receive calls from our parents.
Another good friend was Danzey Treanor (later Moreno) who was our resident “horse expert.” She went on to study equestrian husbandry in college, breed horses and enter horse shows.
Going to the stables and interacting with or riding the horses was always a great treat, and this was the only time that girls were allowed to wear jeans. My parents bought
Story and drawings by Cathy Hertz (L51)
Cathy, just before coming to OVS.
a sweet old pinto for me, who was a rescue. I loved him dearly and named him Sugar. His hind legs were severely arthritic so he was, sadly, very easy and safe to ride. He craved sugar cubes, which I stole from the dining room, hence his name. Again, students were rewarded for good behavior; those who passed the rigorous tests of proper behavior and adequate classwork were allowed to ride their horses into the village. We were always closely chaperoned and never alone but it was still a great treat!
I stayed at OVS for only a year, completing the term in June 1948. My mother wanted me back home in Beverly Hills at our small 3-bedroom house on Wetherly Drive just south of Wilshire. My school year at OVS had ended but not my craze for horses!
That summer, my mom took me to a commercial riding stable in Burbank many times where I honed my equestrian skills and eventually rode English and bareback on younger horses. I also read Walter Farley’s “Black Stallion” books. During my next school year at Horace Mann Elementary School in West L.A., I launched a “horse club” with a few classmates. The other kids had never been away from home and had no direct or hands-on experience with horses, but they were fascinated by my accounts of riding Sugar into Ojai.
I wish that I could have stayed at OVS longer. In retrospect, I realize that it was one of the best, most formative years of my life and left an indelible memory. It was a very constructive year, during which I learned self-discipline and was motivated to study hard and acquire as much knowledge of history, science, and other subjects as possible. Although I respected and feared my OVS mentors (especially my housemother and shop teacher), I learned a lot from them and this knowledge later stimulated me to think independently.
Many years later, in the mid-1990s, I visited Ventura and saw an ad on a store bulletin board saying, “Ojai Valley School Lower Campus,” and thought, “Is that school still there?!” I immediately called the school and was transferred to the Alumni Office. I came to Alumni Weekend that year and have continued to attend with only a few gaps. Otis Wickenhaeuser signed my copy of the book, A Thread to Hold, after it was published in 1996.
I’m grateful to all of my mentors. I fondly remember camping trips into the Sespe with Ada Dugger and others in the OVS station wagon as well as the horseback visits in downtown Ojai. I’m so happy that Alumni Reunions are still held each year. Thanks OVS, you rock!!
Margaret Kille and the Burrs.
Sugar, Cathy’s pinto, at OVS.
Ojai Valley School is a unique place where day and boarding students explore their interests, develop their passions, and learn from dedicated teachers who care about their growth and success. If our goal is to ensure that every child who steps onto our campuses has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, then we must provide the resources necessary for that growth. That’s where the Annual Fund comes in.
Visit ovs.org/give to make a contribution online or contact our Development Office at development@ovs.org or call (805) 640-2578 for more information.
Because tuition covers only a portion of our school expenses, we look to our extensive community of current and past parents, alumni and friends, to help us gather the balance. Annual Fund contributions support campus improvements, new technology, scholarships, enrichment grants for our teachers and our sports, performing arts, and outdoor programs.
We invite you to continue this tradition of giving by donating to Ojai Valley School in the year ahead!
Parents of Alumni:
If your son/daughter no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office (805-640-2578) of his/her new mailing address.
